Origin
Los Angeles, CA
Evening in Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
7:10 PM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Los Angeles, CA to La Quinta, CA
Drive Time
1h 29m
Distance
40.8 mi
66 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 23m
★
6 AM
1h 30m
8 AM
1h 43m
10 AM
1h 34m
12 PM
1h 33m
3 PM
1h 35m
5 PM
1h 43m
8 PM
1h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
La Quinta, CA
Miguel Cuenca
Trip Overview
Traveling from Los Angeles to La Quinta covers 40.8 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 29 minutes. This trip is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it is short enough to complete without an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $6 for fuel, making it a very economical drive within the Pacific Coast region. The route relies heavily on major thoroughfares like the Hollywood Freeway and the Ronald Reagan Freeway to move you efficiently between destinations. Because the drive is straightforward and relatively brief, it offers a practical way to transition from the heart of the city to your destination without much logistical stress.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
20.4 miles from Los Angeles, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 26m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 78% of this route consists of high-speed transit. You will spend the most significant portion of your time on the Hollywood Freeway, which accounts for your longest uninterrupted stretch of 15.5 miles. While the journey begins on busy urban arterials, the character of the road shifts as you navigate through the connecting freeway systems. There is little time spent on local streets, so you can anticipate a consistent, fast-paced rhythm behind the wheel. The transition between these major roads defines the drive, keeping you moving steadily until you reach your final destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Hollywood Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 15.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Hollywood Freeway and Ronald Reagan Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near North Broadway.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 40.8 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 0.1 miles (North Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 16.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Broadway
Turn right onto North Broadway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
16.9 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
19.8 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Take the exit toward CA 118 West, CA 118 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 156A
Toward CA 118 West, CA 118 East
6
21.3 mi into trip
|
~27m in
|
CA 118 / Ronald Reagan Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 118 / Ronald Reagan Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
34.5 mi into trip
|
~43m in
Take the exit toward Yosemite Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 29
Toward Yosemite Avenue
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Hollywood Freeway | 15.5 mi | 19m |
| Ronald Reagan Freeway | 13.7 mi | 15m |
| Las Llajas Canyon Trail | 4.3 mi | 41m |
| Golden State Freeway | 2 mi | 2m |
| Yosemite Avenue | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Santa Ana Freeway | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| Evening Sky Drive | 0.5 mi | 2m |
| North Broadway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Hollywood Freeway
— 15.5 mi, about 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles, CA and La Quinta, CA.
1
Start on West 1st Street
0.1 mi
·
32 sec
·
West 1st Street
Use the none lane.
2
Turn right onto North Broadway
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
North Broadway
Use the none lane.
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
Use the none lane.
5
Continue on US 101
15 mi
·
19 min
·
Hollywood Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
59 sec
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 5
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
Exit 156A
Toward CA 118 West, CA 118 East
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
58 sec
Toward CA 118 West
10
Merge onto CA 118
0.5 mi
·
34 sec
·
Ronald Reagan Freeway
Use the none lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 118
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Ronald Reagan Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 118
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Ronald Reagan Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 118
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Ronald Reagan Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 118
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Ronald Reagan Freeway
Use the none lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 118
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Ronald Reagan Freeway
Use the none lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 118
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Ronald Reagan Freeway
Use the none lane.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 29
Toward Yosemite Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn right onto Yosemite Avenue
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Yosemite Avenue
19
Turn right onto Evening Sky Drive
0.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Evening Sky Drive
20
Turn left onto Las Llajas Canyon Trail
420 ft
·
31 sec
·
Las Llajas Canyon Trail
21
Continue on Las Llajas Canyon Trail
4.2 mi
·
40 min
·
Las Llajas Canyon Trail
22
Arrive at destination
Las Llajas Canyon Trail
Trip Plan
Since this is a compact 40.8-mile drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire trip without needing to plan for formal rest stops, as the total duration is under an hour and a half. Keep in mind that the route is designed for efficiency rather than sightseeing, so focus on staying alert during the high-speed freeway segments. Because the fuel cost is a modest $6, you will not need to worry about complex refueling logistics during the drive. A helpful tip is to check traffic reports for the Hollywood Freeway before you pull out of Los Angeles, as road conditions can significantly impact your travel time on that specific 15.5-mile stretch.
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 20.4 miles from Los Angeles, CA, or about 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 15.5 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 40.8 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 20.4 miles or 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near La Quinta, 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 40.8 miles and 1h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Los Angeles, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Hollywood Freeway for about 15.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 20.4 mi from Los Angeles, CA · 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
20 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 40.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 20.4 miles from Los Angeles, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in La Quinta, CA
The final approach into La Quinta, 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 La Quinta, 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
$9.45 one way
$18.90 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $9.74 | $19.49 |
| premium | $6.24 | $10.03 | $20.06 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $9.06 | $18.13 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.2 | 0 | $4.28 | $1.96 |
| Efficient EV | 10.2 | 0 | $3.57 | $1.63 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.3 | 0 | $5.71 | $2.61 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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.
Destination
La Quinta, CA
Evening in La Quinta on Sunday
Local time
7:10 PM
PDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
44°F
Burbank, CA
20 mi in
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
24 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 29m 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 La Quinta, CA covers 40.8 miles and takes about 1h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Hollywood Freeway, Ronald Reagan Freeway, Las Llajas Canyon Trail. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 20.4 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 $9.45 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 19 significant decision points across 40.8 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 0.1 miles (North Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 16.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Los Angeles, CA to La Quinta, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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