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Trip from Los Angeles, CA to Oakhurst, CA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

5h 7m

Distance

263.9 mi

425 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$61

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 54m ★
6 AM
5h 7m
8 AM
5h 34m
10 AM
5h 17m
12 PM
5h 14m
3 PM
5h 18m
5 PM
5h 33m
8 PM
4h 59m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown los-angeles-ca

Los Angeles, CA

Stephen Leonardi

census-designated place (CDP) in Madera County, California, United States

Oakhurst, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Los Angeles, CA to Oakhurst, CA covers 263.9 miles and takes about 5h 7m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Golden State Highway, Golden State Freeway, I 5 Truck for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 98.2 miles on Golden State Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $60.66 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

132 miles from Los Angeles, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 31m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 7m. Total distance: 263.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

The drive from Los Angeles, CA to Oakhurst, CA covers 263.9 miles and takes about 5h 7m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 23 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 98.2 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 16.9 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 263.9 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 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; 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 15 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
16.9 mi into trip | ~22m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the 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 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
6
26.1 mi into trip | ~33m in | I 5 Truck

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
216 mi into trip | ~4h 2m in

Take the exit toward CA 41 North: Yosemite

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 131 Toward CA 41 North: Yosemite

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Golden State Highway 98.2 mi 1h 45m
Golden State Freeway 62.4 mi 1h 9m
I 5 Truck 37.7 mi 43m
Southern Yosemite Highway 35.8 mi 49m
Hollywood Freeway 15.5 mi 19m
Dwight David Eisenhower Memorial Freeway 7.2 mi 8m
Yosemite Freeway 3.7 mi 4m
Santa Ana Freeway 0.7 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Golden State Highway — 98.2 mi, about 1h 45m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles, CA and Oakhurst, CA.

1

Start on West 1st Street

0.1 mi · 32 sec · West 1st Street
2

Turn right onto North Broadway

0.4 mi · 49 sec · North Broadway
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
5

Continue on US 101

15 mi · 19 min · Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight left at fork

0.9 mi · 59 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Merge onto I 5

4.5 mi · 5 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

2.2 mi · 2 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the 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 straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

22 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99

27 mi · 30 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99

6.0 mi · 6 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Continue on CA 99

98 mi · 1 hr 45 min · Golden State Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 131 Toward CA 41 North: Yosemite Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Merge onto CA 41

1.1 mi · 1 min · Yosemite Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Continue on CA 41

7.2 mi · 8 min · Dwight David Eisenhower Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Continue on CA 41

2.6 mi · 3 min · Yosemite Freeway
19

Continue on CA 41

36 mi · 49 min · Southern Yosemite Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Turn right onto 426

0.4 mi · 53 sec · Road 426
21

Turn slight right onto Road 425B

161 ft · 8 sec · Road 425B
22

Turn right onto Chapel Hill Drive

96 ft · 4 sec · Chapel Hill Drive
23

Arrive at destination

Chapel Hill Drive

Trip Plan

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 132 miles from Los Angeles, CA, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.2 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 58 miles or 1h 9m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 132 miles or 2h 31m 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 2m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oakhurst, 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 263.9 miles and 5h 7m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 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 98.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 132 mi from Los Angeles, CA · 2h 31m into the drive

city in California, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Wasco, CA

132 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

Santa Clarita, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Wasco, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 132 miles from Los Angeles, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Golden State Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 98.2 miles.

Arriving in Oakhurst, CA

The final approach into Oakhurst, 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 Oakhurst, CA.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultura...

22 mi from route ~55 min detour Free near mile 27.3
View on nps.gov
César E. Chávez National Monument

César E. Chávez National Monument

National Monument

Yes, we can! Widely recognized as the most important Latino leader in the United States during the twentieth century, Cesar Chavez led farm workers and supporters in the establishment of the country's...

25 mi from route ~63 min detour Free near mile 91
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$60.66 one way

$121.31 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 92 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $62.50 $125.01
premium $6.18 $64.18 $128.36
diesel $5.61 $58.27 $116.53

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$61

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$86–$111

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 92.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 79.2 0 $27.71 $12.67
Efficient EV 66 0 $23.09 $10.56
EV Truck/SUV 105.6 1 $36.95 $16.89

Gas CO2

92 kg

EV CO2

31 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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.

Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026

Origin

Los Angeles, CA

Afternoon in Los Angeles on Thursday

Local time

2:51 PM

PDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Oakhurst, CA

Afternoon in Oakhurst on Thursday

Local time

2:51 PM

PDT

Current temp

39°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

15 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 7m 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 Oakhurst, CA covers 263.9 miles and takes about 5h 7m 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, I 5 Truck. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 132 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 $60.66 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 15 significant decision points across 263.9 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 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; at 24.5 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Los Angeles, CA to Oakhurst, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and César E. Chávez National Monument.

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