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Trip from Los Angeles, CA to Fairbanks Ranch, CA

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

2h 11m

Distance

105.3 mi

169 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
2h 3m ★
6 AM
2h 12m
8 AM
2h 30m
10 AM
2h 18m
12 PM
2h 17m
3 PM
2h 19m
5 PM
2h 29m
8 PM
2h 6m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown los-angeles-ca

Los Angeles, CA

Stephen Leonardi

Downtown Fairbanks Ranch, CA, CA

Fairbanks Ranch, CA

Robert So

Trip Overview

The drive from Los Angeles, CA to Fairbanks Ranch, CA covers 105.3 miles and takes about 2h 11m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on San Diego Freeway, Santa Ana Freeway, Walnut Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 55.7 miles on San Diego Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.20 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

52.6 miles from Los Angeles, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 11m. Total distance: 105.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 11m highway drive covering 105.3 miles, with most of the trip on San Diego Freeway and Santa Ana Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 55.7 miles on San Diego Freeway.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
San Diego Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 55.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on San Diego Freeway and Santa Ana Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Main Street.

Driving Effort 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 105.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (East Aliso Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 29.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 25 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

7
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | North Main Street

Turn left onto North Main Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
7
0.3 mi into trip | ~0m in | East Aliso Street

Turn right onto East Aliso Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
7
29.6 mi into trip | ~35m in

Take the exit toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
7
33.4 mi into trip | ~40m in

Take the exit toward Newport Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 102 Toward Newport Avenue
8
36.7 mi into trip | ~46m in | Jamboree Road

Turn left onto Jamboree Road toward CA 261 Toll North: Jamboree Road, Riverside

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward CA 261 Toll North: Jamboree Road, Rivers...

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Los Angeles, CA and Fairbanks Ranch, CA, road signs point toward Broadway, Santa Ana and Riverside.

Broadway

29.6 mi in | ~35m

Santa Ana

29.6 mi in | ~35m

Riverside

36.7 mi in | ~46m | via Jamboree Road

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
San Diego Freeway 55.7 mi 1h 5m
Santa Ana Freeway 38.1 mi 44m
Walnut Avenue 2.2 mi 4m
Lomas Santa Fe Drive 1.6 mi 3m
Calzada del Bosque 1.2 mi 1m
Linea del Cielo 1.2 mi 2m
El Apajo 0.6 mi 1m
Jamboree Road 0.5 mi <1m
Longest stretch: San Diego Freeway — 55.7 mi, about 1h 5m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles, CA and Fairbanks Ranch, CA.

1

Start on West 1st Street

69 ft · 9 sec · West 1st Street
2

Turn left onto North Main Street

0.3 mi · 34 sec · North Main Street
Use the left lane.
3

Turn right onto East Aliso Street

338 ft · 13 sec · East Aliso Street
Use the right lane.
4

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Toward US 101 South, I 10 East, I 5 South
5

Merge onto US 101

29 mi · 34 min · Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

0.2 mi · 16 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 57 sec
Toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 10 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 12 sec
Toward I 5 South
10

Merge onto I 5

0.8 mi · 54 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
11

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

0.8 mi · 52 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
12

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

1.2 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 102 Toward Newport Avenue Use the slight right lane.
14

Turn right onto Newport Avenue

0.4 mi · 44 sec · Newport Avenue
Use the right lane.
15

Turn left onto Walnut Avenue

2.2 mi · 4 min · Walnut Avenue
16

Turn left onto Jamboree Road

0.5 mi · 37 sec · Jamboree Road
Toward CA 261 Toll North: Jamboree Road, Riverside Use the left lane.
17

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 21 sec
Toward I 5 South
18

Merge onto I 5

5.5 mi · 6 min · Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

0.8 mi · 55 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Merge onto I 5

56 mi · 1 hr 5 min · San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 45 sec
Exit 37 Toward CR S8: Lomas Santa Fe Drive Use the slight right lane.
22

Turn left onto S8

1.6 mi · 3 min · Lomas Santa Fe Drive
Use the left / right lanes.
23

Continue on S8

1.2 mi · 2 min · Linea del Cielo
24

Turn right onto Calzada del Bosque

1.2 mi · 1 min · Calzada del Bosque
25

Turn right onto Via de Santa Fe

0.4 mi · 40 sec · Via de Santa Fe
26

Continue on El Apajo

0.6 mi · 1 min · El Apajo
27

At end of road, turn left onto San Dieguito Road

0.3 mi · 35 sec · San Dieguito Road
Use the left lane.
28

Turn right onto Circa del Sur

0.2 mi · 42 sec · Circa del Sur
Use the right lane.
29

Arrive at destination

Circa del Sur

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 52.6 miles from Los Angeles, CA, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.7 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 23 miles or 28m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 52.6 miles or 1h 5m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 44m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairbanks Ranch, CA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Los Angeles, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Los Angeles, CA

This is one driving day of about 105.3 miles and 2h 11m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Los Angeles, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on San Diego Freeway for about 55.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 52.6 mi from Los Angeles, CA · 1h 5m into the drive

city in Orange County, California, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Laguna Niguel, CA

53 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Fullerton, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Laguna Niguel, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 52.6 miles from Los Angeles, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Fairbanks Ranch, CA

The final approach into Fairbanks Ranch, CA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Fairbanks Ranch, CA.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.20 one way

$48.40 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 37 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $24.94 $49.88
premium $6.18 $25.61 $51.22
diesel $5.61 $23.25 $46.50

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$24

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 36.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 31.6 0 $11.06 $5.05
Efficient EV 26.3 0 $9.21 $4.21
EV Truck/SUV 42.1 0 $14.74 $6.74

Gas CO2

37 kg

EV CO2

12 kg (68% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026

Origin

Los Angeles, CA

Evening in Los Angeles on Thursday

Local time

6:30 PM

PDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fairbanks Ranch, CA

Evening in Fairbanks Ranch on Thursday

Local time

6:30 PM

PDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

16 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 11m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Los Angeles, CA to Fairbanks Ranch, CA covers 105.3 miles and takes about 2h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are San Diego Freeway, Santa Ana Freeway, Walnut Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 52.6 miles from Los Angeles, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.20 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 105.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (East Aliso Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 29.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Los Angeles, CA and Fairbanks Ranch, CA, road signs point toward Broadway, Santa Ana and Riverside.

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