The drive from Los Angeles, CA to Johnstonville, CA covers 550.1 miles and takes about 11h 5m behind the wheel.
It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on Grand Army of the Republic Highway, I 580, North Sierra Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is long-distance drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 104.5 miles on Grand Army of the Republic Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $126.44 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
275 miles from Los Angeles, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 27m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Solo Traveler
11h 5m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Long-distance drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
At 550.1 miles and 11h 5m of driving, this is a route where fuel stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single turn. The main roads are Grand Army of the Republic Highway and I 580.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 43 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Grand Army of the Republic Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 104.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
At 11h 5m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16.9 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 22 significant decision points across 550.1 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: at 16.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.3 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.5 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
16.9 mi into trip|~22m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
22.3 mi into trip|~28m in|I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
24.5 mi into trip|~31m in|I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 161A
Toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
8
26.1 mi into trip|~33m in|CA 14 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 14 Truck toward CA 14 North: Palmdale, Lancaster
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 14 North: Palmdale, Lancaster
7
434.6 mi into trip|~8h 52m in|US 395
Take the exit onto US 395 toward I 580 North, US 395 North, US 50 East: Reno, Dayton, Fallon
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 I 580 North, US 395 North, US 50 East: R...
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 Johnstonville, CA, road signs point toward Dayton and Fallon.
Dayton
434.6 mi in|~8h 52m|via US 395
Fallon
434.6 mi in|~8h 52m|via US 395
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
104.5 mi
2h 2m
I 580
101.1 mi
1h 56m
North Sierra Highway
87.4 mi
1h 44m
Aerospace Highway
45.8 mi
51m
CA 14 Truck
45.7 mi
52m
Route 395
43.7 mi
56m
Midland Trail
22 mi
25m
Main Street
19.3 mi
26m
Longest stretch:
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
— 104.5 mi, about 2h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles, CA and Johnstonville, CA.
1
Start on West 1st Street
0.1 mi·32 sec·West 1st Street
2
Turn right onto North Broadway
0.4 mi·49 sec·North Broadway
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward US 101 North, CA 110
4
Merge onto US 101
0.7 mi·55 sec·Santa Ana Freeway
5
Continue on US 101
15 mi·19 min·Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·59 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 5
4.5 mi·5 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
2.2 mi·2 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
1.5 mi·1 min·I 5 Truck
Exit 161AToward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 TruckUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 14 Truck
46 mi·52 min·CA 14 Truck
Toward CA 14 North: Palmdale, LancasterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 14
19 mi·20 min·Aerospace Highway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on CA 14; US 6 Hist
4.7 mi·6 min·Sierra Highway
13
Turn right onto Aerospace Highway
20 mi·23 min·Aerospace Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on CA 14; US 6 Hist
22 mi·25 min·Midland Trail
15
Continue on CA 14; CA 178; US 6 Hist
6.7 mi·7 min·Aerospace Highway
16
Merge onto US 395; US 6 Hist
6.8 mi·7 min·Blue Star Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
56 mi·1 hr 4 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
2.2 mi·4 min·South Main Street
19
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
15 mi·17 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
0.7 mi·1 min·South Edwards Street
21
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
26 mi·31 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
0.2 mi·32 sec·North Main Street
23
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
7.4 mi·8 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
24
Continue on US 395; CA 168; US 6 Hist
5.0 mi·5 min·El Camino Sierra
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on US 395; CA 168; US 6 Hist
2.4 mi·4 min·South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
26
Turn left onto CA 168
1.5 mi·2 min·West Line Street
Use the left lane.
27
Turn right onto North Barlow Lane
1.0 mi·1 min·North Barlow Lane
28
Turn left onto US 395
87 mi·1 hr 44 min·North Sierra Highway
Use the straight lane.
29
Turn right onto Sinclair Street
0.1 mi·12 sec·Sinclair Street
30
Turn left onto Emigrant Street
0.5 mi·40 sec·Emigrant Street
31
Continue on US 395
43 mi·56 min·Route 395
Use the left lane.
32
Continue on US 395
19 mi·26 min·Main Street
33
Continue on US 395
2.9 mi·7 min·US 395
34
Turn left onto County Road
1.1 mi·1 min·County Road
35
Enter roundabout onto NV 88
2 ft·0 sec·Woodfords Road
36
Continue on NV 88
0.4 mi·48 sec·Woodfords Road
37
Turn left onto US 395
11 mi·13 min·US 395
Use the straight / right lanes.
38
Take the exit onto US 395
0.9 mi·1 min·US 395
Toward I 580 North, US 395 North, US 50 East: Reno, Dayton, FallonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Merge onto I 580; US 50; US 395
13 mi·14 min·Carson City Deputy Sheriff Carl Howell Memorial Freeway
40
Continue on I 580; US 395
101 mi·1 hr 56 min·I 580; US 395
41
Continue on US 395
0.4 mi·30 sec·Route 395
42
Turn left onto Johnstonville Road
163 ft·3 sec·Johnstonville Road
43
Arrive at destination
Johnstonville Road
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 275 miles from Los Angeles, CA, or about 5h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.5 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 121 miles or 2h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 275 miles or 5h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 275 miles or 5h 27m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 9h 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Johnstonville, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Los Angeles, CA
Aim for roughly 275 miles and 5.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Johnstonville, CA
Aim for roughly 275 miles and 5.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 121 miles from Los Angeles, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Grand Army of the Republic Highway for about 104.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 275 mi from Los Angeles, CA
· 5h 27m into the drive
The midpoint is around 275 miles from Los Angeles, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Grand Army of the Republic Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 104.5 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stop
For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 275 miles or 5.5 hours on the road.
Arriving in Johnstonville, CA
The final approach into Johnstonville, 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 Johnstonville, CA.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Johnstonville, CA with some flexibility left in the schedule.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Devils Postpile National Monument
National Monument
Established in 1911 by presidential proclamation, Devils Postpile National Monument protects and preserves the Devils Postpile formation, the 101-foot high Rainbow Falls, and pristine mountain scenery...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 303.5
The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultura...
Yes, we can! Widely recognized as the most important Latino leader in the United States during the twentieth century, Cesar Chavez led farm workers and supporters in the establishment of the country's...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 94.8
Not just a great valley, but a shrine to human foresight, the strength of granite, the power of glaciers, the persistence of life, and the tranquility of the High Sierra. First protected in 1864, Yose...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
$35
near mile 322.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$126.44 one way
$252.87 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg193 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$130.29
$260.58
premium
$6.18
$133.78
$267.56
diesel
$5.61
$121.46
$242.91
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$126
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$256–$366
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 192.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $58 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
165
2
$57.76
$26.40
Efficient EV
137.5
1
$48.13
$22.00
EV Truck/SUV
220
2
$77.01
$35.21
Gas CO2
192 kg
EV CO2
64 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Morning
in Los Angeles on Thursday
Local time
11:43 AM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Johnstonville, CA
Morning
in Johnstonville on Thursday
Local time
11:43 AM
PDT
Current temp
56°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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
2 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
11h 5m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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 Johnstonville, CA covers 550.1 miles and takes about 11h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Grand Army of the Republic Highway, I 580, North Sierra Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 275 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 275 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 $126.44 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 550.1 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: at 16.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.3 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.5 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Los Angeles, CA and Johnstonville, CA, road signs point toward Dayton and Fallon.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Devils Postpile National Monument, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and César E. Chávez National Monument. There are 4 parks within detour distance of this route.
