Origin
Los Angeles, CA
Afternoon in Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
12:59 PM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Los Angeles, CA to Lathrop, CA
Drive Time
6h 3m
Distance
328.3 mi
528 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$76
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 51m
★
6 AM
6h 3m
8 AM
6h 29m
10 AM
6h 12m
12 PM
6h 10m
3 PM
6h 14m
5 PM
6h 28m
8 PM
5h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Lathrop, CA
Abhishek Navlakha
Trip Overview
Driving from Los Angeles to Lathrop covers 328.3 miles and typically takes about 6 hours and 3 minutes. Because this route is entirely within California's Pacific Coast region, you won't experience drastic climate shifts, but you will traverse a significant portion of the state. It is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip, though the consistent time behind the wheel means you should plan for at least one dedicated stop. With an estimated fuel cost of $45, the journey is relatively affordable if you stick to the primary transit corridors. You will rely heavily on the Golden State Freeway and the Westside Freeway to move efficiently toward your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
164.2 miles from Los Angeles, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 5m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a focused, high-speed experience, as this route is 99% highway-driven. You will spend the vast majority of your time on the Westside Freeway, which accounts for a massive 242.6-mile stretch of the trip. The character of the drive is defined by steady, interstate travel rather than technical turns or local scenery. Because you are on major transit arteries like I-5, the pace remains fast and consistent from start to finish. Prepare for a long, uninterrupted haul that prioritizes efficiency and direct transit over winding backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Westside Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 242.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck. 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
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 328.3 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 (North Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 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.
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 none / 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
7
84.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
|
I 5 / Westside Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 / Westside Freeway toward I 5 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 5 North
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 242.6 mi | 4h 20m |
| I 5 Truck | 37.7 mi | 43m |
| Golden State Freeway | 29 mi | 33m |
| Hollywood Freeway | 15.5 mi | 19m |
| Santa Ana Freeway | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| Lathrop Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| North Broadway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| 5th Street | 0.2 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 242.6 mi, about 4h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles, CA and Lathrop, 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
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 5 Truck
Exit 161A
Toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
36 mi
·
41 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
22 mi
·
25 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
226 mi
·
4 hr 1 min
·
Westside Freeway
Toward I 5 North
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
17 mi
·
18 min
·
Westside Freeway
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward Lathrop Road
15
Turn right onto Lathrop Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Lathrop Road
Use the none lane.
16
Turn right onto 5th Street
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
5th Street
Use the right lane.
17
Turn left onto East J Street
481 ft
·
21 sec
·
East J Street
18
Arrive at destination
East J Street
Trip Plan
To keep your energy high, factor in one strategic break during your 6-hour trek to avoid fatigue on those long, continuous stretches. Since you are mostly on the Westside Freeway, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as service stations can be spread out along the more remote segments of the interstate. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential traffic congestion as you exit the Los Angeles area. Since this is a straightforward, highway-dominant route, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on how you feel behind the wheel. Use your single planned stop as a genuine reset point to break up the 242.6-mile core segment of your journey.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 164.2 miles from Los Angeles, CA, or about 3h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 242.6 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 80 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 164.2 miles or 3h 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 4h 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lathrop, 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 328.3 miles and 6h 3m.
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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 242.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 164.2 mi from Los Angeles, CA · 3h 5m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
164 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 164.2 miles from Los Angeles, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 242.6 miles.
Arriving in Lathrop, CA
The final approach into Lathrop, 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 Lathrop, CA.
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$76.03 one way
$152.05 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
115 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $78.40 | $156.81 |
| premium | $6.24 | $80.69 | $161.38 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $72.94 | $145.87 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$76
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$101–$126
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 114.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 98.5 | 1 | $34.47 | $15.76 |
| Efficient EV | 82.1 | 0 | $28.73 | $13.13 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 131.3 | 1 | $45.96 | $21.01 |
Gas CO2
115 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Lathrop, CA
Afternoon in Lathrop on Sunday
Local time
12:59 PM
PDT
Current temp
51°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
26 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
6h 3m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 Lathrop, CA covers 328.3 miles and takes about 6h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, Golden State Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 164.2 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 $76.03 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 1 meaningful break 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 16 significant decision points across 328.3 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 (North Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; 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.
The route from Los Angeles, CA to Lathrop, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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