Origin
Los Angeles, CA
Afternoon in Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
1:48 PM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Los Angeles, CA to Malibu, CA
Drive Time
51m
Distance
33.4 mi
54 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 47m
★
6 AM
0h 51m
8 AM
1h 0m
10 AM
0h 54m
12 PM
0h 53m
3 PM
0h 55m
5 PM
0h 59m
8 PM
0h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Malibu, CA
Abhishek Navlakha
Trip Overview
Driving from Los Angeles to Malibu covers a quick 33.4 miles, typically taking about 51 minutes depending on traffic. Because it is such a short trip, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will navigate a combination of the Harbor Freeway, the Santa Monica Freeway, and the iconic Pacific Coast Highway to reach your destination. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $5, this excursion is an efficient way to transition from the urban density of Los Angeles to the coastal atmosphere of Malibu. Whether you are heading out for a quick getaway or a change of scenery, the straightforward nature of this route makes it a very manageable drive for any experience level.
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
16.7 miles from Los Angeles, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 21m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 33.4-mile journey features a mixed drive profile, with about 42% of the route spent on highways. You will start by navigating city freeways before transitioning onto the Pacific Coast Highway, which accounts for your longest uninterrupted stretch of 17.5 miles. Expect the character of the road to shift significantly as you move away from the heavy freeway infrastructure and onto the coastal route. While the initial segments are defined by typical interstate travel, the latter portion offers a distinct change in pace. Navigating these varied road types keeps the drive engaging, as you transition from the fast-paced city arteries to the specific flow of the Pacific Coast Highway.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pacific Coast Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 17.5 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 9 significant decision points across 33.4 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 9 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...
6
0.9 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CA 110 South: Harbor Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward CA 110 South: Harbor Freeway
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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pacific Coast Highway | 17.5 mi | 30m |
| Santa Monica Freeway | 13 mi | 15m |
| Harbor Freeway | 1 mi | 1m |
| West 3rd Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| South Spring Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West 1st Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Pacific Coast Highway
— 17.5 mi, about 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles, CA and Malibu, 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
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Santa Monica Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on CA 1
17 mi
·
30 min
·
Pacific Coast Highway
Use the none lane.
12
Arrive at destination
CA 1
Trip Plan
Since this is a short trip, you have the flexibility to depart at your leisure, though planning around peak traffic hours is always a smart move in Southern California. You won't need to worry about mid-trip stops, as the 51-minute duration allows you to reach Malibu comfortably in one go. Keep your fuel budget of $5 in mind, though you will likely find that a single tank covers the round trip easily. For the best experience, prioritize timing your drive to avoid the heaviest congestion on the Harbor and Santa Monica Freeways. Use the 17.5-mile stretch on the Pacific Coast Highway to settle into your drive, as this is where the route's personality truly begins to shine.
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 16.7 miles from Los Angeles, CA, or about 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 17.5 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 33.4 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 16.7 miles or 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Malibu, 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 33.4 miles and 51m.
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 Pacific Coast Highway for about 17.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 16.7 mi from Los Angeles, CA · 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
17 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 33.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 16.7 miles from Los Angeles, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Malibu, CA
The final approach into Malibu, 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 Malibu, 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
$7.73 one way
$15.47 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $7.98 | $15.95 |
| premium | $6.24 | $8.21 | $16.42 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.42 | $14.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10 | 0 | $3.51 | $1.60 |
| Efficient EV | 8.4 | 0 | $2.92 | $1.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.4 | 0 | $4.68 | $2.14 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (67% 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
Malibu, CA
Afternoon in Malibu on Sunday
Local time
1:48 PM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
55°F
Santa Maria, CA
17 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
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
51m 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 Malibu, CA covers 33.4 miles and takes about 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Monica Freeway, Harbor Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 16.7 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 $7.73 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 9 significant decision points across 33.4 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.
The route from Los Angeles, CA to Malibu, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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