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 Modesto, CA
Drive Time
5h 53m
Distance
311.8 mi
502 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$72
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 41m
★
6 AM
5h 54m
8 AM
6h 20m
10 AM
6h 3m
12 PM
6h 0m
3 PM
6h 4m
5 PM
6h 19m
8 PM
5h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Modesto, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Traveling from Los Angeles to Modesto covers 311.8 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 53 minutes of drive time. You will spend the vast majority of your journey on the Golden State Highway and Northbound California State Route 99. Because the trip is manageable in a single day, you don't necessarily need an overnight stay, though planning for one stop is a smart move to stay refreshed. Expect to budget roughly $42 for fuel to complete this transit through the heart of the Pacific Coast region. It is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that favors efficiency over sightseeing detours. Whether you are traveling for business or visiting family, this route provides a direct path between these two California hubs.
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
155.9 miles from Los Angeles, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 57m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a steady, highway-focused experience as 63% of your journey is spent on major thoroughfares. You will find yourself settling into a rhythm on the Golden State Freeway and State Route 99, with the longest uninterrupted stretch reaching 111.4 miles. The road maintains a consistent, high-speed pace that is ideal for making good time between Southern and Central California. While the drive is largely defined by its utility, the transition across the landscape keeps the experience moving forward without the technical demands of winding mountain passes. You can anticipate a predictable, reliable flow that keeps you focused on the miles ahead.
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.
Golden State Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 111.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Golden State Highway and Golden State 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
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 311.8 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 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 18 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.
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
229.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 16m in
Take the exit toward Avenue 7
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 144
Toward Avenue 7
7
251.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 41m in
|
CA 99 / Northbound California State Route 99
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 99 / Northbound California State Route 99 toward CA 99
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 99
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Los Angeles, CA to Modesto, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Avenue 7 along the way.
Avenue 7
229.2 mi in
|
~4h 16m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Golden State Highway | 111.4 mi | 2h |
| Golden State Freeway | 62.4 mi | 1h 9m |
| Northbound California State Route 99 | 59.9 mi | 1h 10m |
| I 5 Truck | 37.7 mi | 43m |
| CA 99 | 21.4 mi | 24m |
| Hollywood Freeway | 15.5 mi | 19m |
| Santa Ana Freeway | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| North Broadway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Golden State Highway
— 111.4 mi, about 2h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles, CA and Modesto, 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 left at fork onto CA 99
27 mi
·
30 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on CA 99
111 mi
·
2 hr
·
Golden State Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 144
Toward Avenue 7
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto CA 99
21 mi
·
24 min
·
CA 99
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 99
60 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
Northbound California State Route 99
Toward CA 99
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward 6th Street, G Street
19
Continue on 6th Street
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
6th Street
20
Turn right onto G Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
G Street
21
Turn left onto 11th Street
400 ft
·
17 sec
·
11th Street
22
Arrive at destination
11th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 6-hour trek, try to depart early in the morning to beat the heaviest traffic patterns near Los Angeles. Since the route requires one planned stop, use that break to stretch your legs and refuel, keeping your $42 gas budget in mind. Pay close attention to the flow of traffic on the Golden State Highway, as the heavy reliance on this corridor means conditions can shift quickly. Given the long stretches of highway, keeping a steady pace will help you arrive in Modesto without unnecessary fatigue. Having the flexibility of a single-day trip allows you to adjust your departure time based on real-time traffic reports to ensure a smoother transition between regions.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 155.9 miles from Los Angeles, CA, or about 2h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.4 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 155.9 miles or 2h 57m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Modesto, 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 311.8 miles and 5h 53m.
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 Golden State Highway for about 111.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 155.9 mi from Los Angeles, CA · 2h 57m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
156 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 155.9 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 Golden State Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.4 miles.
Arriving in Modesto, CA
The final approach into Modesto, 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 Modesto, 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
$72.21 one way
$144.41 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
109 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $74.46 | $148.93 |
| premium | $6.24 | $76.64 | $153.27 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $69.27 | $138.54 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$72
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$97–$122
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 93.5 | 1 | $32.74 | $14.97 |
| Efficient EV | 78 | 0 | $27.28 | $12.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 124.7 | 1 | $43.65 | $19.96 |
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
36 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
Modesto, CA
Afternoon in Modesto 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
5h 53m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Modesto, CA covers 311.8 miles and takes about 5h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Golden State Highway, Golden State Freeway, Northbound California State Route 99. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 155.9 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 $72.21 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 18 significant decision points across 311.8 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 24.5 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Los Angeles, CA to Modesto, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Avenue 7 along the way.
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