Origin
Los Angeles, CA
Afternoon in Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
2:56 PM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Los Angeles, CA to Ladera Heights, CA
Drive Time
20m
Distance
12.3 mi
20 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 18m
★
6 AM
0h 20m
8 AM
0h 24m
10 AM
0h 21m
12 PM
0h 21m
3 PM
0h 21m
5 PM
0h 23m
8 PM
0h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Ladera Heights, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick commute or a short excursion within the Pacific Coast region, the 12.3-mile trip from Los Angeles to Ladera Heights is an ideal candidate. You can expect to spend about 20 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect one-day trip that requires no overnight planning. With an estimated fuel cost of just $3, it is an incredibly budget-friendly drive. You will primarily navigate via the Santa Monica Freeway, the Harbor Freeway, and South La Cienega Boulevard. Since both your start and end points are located within the Pacific Coast region, you won't experience a major change in landscape, but you will benefit from a straightforward, efficient transit.
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
6.1 miles from Los Angeles, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 9m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 12.3-mile route offers a mixed drive profile, balancing fast-paced highway segments with local navigation. Approximately 49% of your journey takes place on highways, providing a steady flow before you transition into local roads. You will spend your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 5 miles on the Santa Monica Freeway, which serves as the primary artery for the first leg of your trip. As you move from the freeway system onto South La Cienega Boulevard, the character of the drive shifts from high-speed transit to a more controlled, urban pace. It is a functional drive that trades scenic variety for direct, predictable movement through the city.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Santa Monica Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 South Spring Street.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 12.3 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: at 0.1 miles (South Spring Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (West 3rd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Spring Street
Turn left onto South Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West 3rd Street
Turn right onto West 3rd Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
0.9 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward CA 110 South, CA 110 North: Harbor Freeway
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 110 South, CA 110 North: Harbor Freew...
8
2.7 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 West: Santa Monica
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 10 West: Santa Monica
8
7.9 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Take the exit toward Culver City, Washington Boulevard, Fairfax Avenue
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.
Exit 7B
Toward Culver City, Washington Boulevard, Fairf...
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Los Angeles, CA to Ladera Heights, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Culver City along the way.
Culver City
7.9 mi in
|
~10m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Monica Freeway | 5 mi | 5m |
| South La Cienega Boulevard | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| Harbor Freeway | 1 mi | 1m |
| West 3rd Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Bedford Avenue | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| South Fairfax Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| West Slauson Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South Spring Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Santa Monica Freeway
— 5 mi, about 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles, CA and Ladera Heights, CA.
1
Start on West 1st Street
354 ft
·
19 sec
·
West 1st Street
2
Turn left onto South Spring Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
South Spring Street
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto West 3rd Street
0.6 mi
·
59 sec
·
West 3rd Street
Use the none lane.
4
Take the ramp
104 ft
·
2 sec
Toward CA 110 South, CA 110 North: Harbor Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward CA 110 South: Harbor Freeway
6
Merge onto CA 110
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Harbor Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I 10: Santa Monica Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 10 West: Washington Boulevard
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward I 10 West: Santa Monica
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 10
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Santa Monica Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 7B
Toward Culver City, Washington Boulevard, Fairfax Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn left onto West Washington Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
West Washington Boulevard
Use the none lane.
13
Turn left onto South Fairfax Avenue
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
South Fairfax Avenue
Use the left lane.
14
Turn left onto South La Cienega Boulevard
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
South La Cienega Boulevard
Use the none lane.
15
Turn slight right
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn right onto West Slauson Avenue
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
West Slauson Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn right onto South Sherbourne Drive
402 ft
·
22 sec
·
South Sherbourne Drive
18
Turn left onto West 57th Street
319 ft
·
16 sec
·
West 57th Street
19
Turn right onto Bedford Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Bedford Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
Bedford Avenue
Trip Plan
Because this is a short 20-minute trip, you have significant flexibility in your departure time, though you should always check local traffic patterns before heading out. Since there are zero scheduled stops on this route, you can easily complete the entire distance in one go without needing to plan for breaks or refueling. Keep in mind that your fuel expenses will be minimal at around $3, so you do not need to worry about complex gas planning. A concrete tip for this specific drive is to pay close attention to your transitions between the Harbor Freeway and local surface streets, as the change in speed can be abrupt. Use the lack of required stops to your advantage by keeping your gear light and your schedule open.
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 6.1 miles from Los Angeles, CA, or about 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 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 12.3 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 6.1 miles or 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ladera Heights, 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 12.3 miles and 20m.
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 Santa Monica Freeway for about 5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 6.1 mi from Los Angeles, CA · 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
6 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 12.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 6.1 miles from Los Angeles, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Ladera Heights, CA
The final approach into Ladera Heights, 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 Ladera Heights, 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
$2.85 one way
$5.70 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $2.94 | $5.87 |
| premium | $6.24 | $3.02 | $6.05 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $2.73 | $5.47 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.7 | 0 | $1.29 | $0.59 |
| Efficient EV | 3.1 | 0 | $1.08 | $0.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.9 | 0 | $1.72 | $0.79 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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
Ladera Heights, CA
Afternoon in Ladera Heights on Sunday
Local time
2:56 PM
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.
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
21 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
20m 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 Ladera Heights, CA covers 12.3 miles and takes about 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Santa Monica Freeway, South La Cienega Boulevard, Harbor Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 6.1 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 $2.85 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 18 significant decision points across 12.3 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: at 0.1 miles (South Spring Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (West 3rd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Los Angeles, CA to Ladera Heights, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Culver City along the way.
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