Origin
Los Angeles, CA
Afternoon in Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
4:19 PM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Los Angeles, CA to Pacifica, CA
Drive Time
7h 18m
Distance
382.7 mi
616 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$89
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 7m
★
6 AM
7h 18m
8 AM
7h 39m
10 AM
7h 26m
12 PM
7h 23m
3 PM
7h 27m
5 PM
7h 38m
8 PM
7h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Pacifica, CA
Skyler Sion
Trip Overview
Traveling from Los Angeles to Pacifica covers 382.7 miles and typically takes about 7 hours and 18 minutes of drive time. Because this journey is designed as a highway-focused trip, you can comfortably complete it in one day if you start early. You should budget approximately $52 for fuel to cover the distance. While both locations are situated along the Pacific Coast, the route primarily utilizes inland transit via the Westside Freeway, US 101, and CA 152. It serves as an efficient connection between Southern California and the Bay Area, prioritizing speed over coastal winding roads.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
191.4 miles from Los Angeles, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 34m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is defined by a high-speed, highway-focused profile, with 97% of your travel time spent on major thoroughfares. You will face a significant, long-haul stretch of 182.5 miles on the Westside Freeway, which requires sustained attention and focus. The character of the road is functional and direct, lacking the technical twists of coastal routes in favor of consistent interstate momentum. As you transition between the Westside Freeway and the US 101, the driving environment remains predictable and geared toward efficient long-distance transit.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 32 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 182.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and US 101. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 24.5 miles in near I 5 Truck.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 28 significant decision points across 382.7 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 24.5 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.5 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 374.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 28 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
7
374.9 mi into trip
|
~7h 4m in
Take the exit toward I 380 West: San Bruno
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 423B
Toward I 380 West: San Bruno
7
375.9 mi into trip
|
~7h 6m in
Take the exit toward CA 82: El Camino Real
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 5
Toward CA 82: El Camino Real
7
381.7 mi into trip
|
~7h 16m in
Take the ramp toward CA 1 South: Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward CA 1 South: Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz
Towns Along This Route
Between Los Angeles, CA and Pacifica, CA, road signs point toward Hollister and San Jose.
Hollister
267 mi in
|
~4h 55m
San Jose
267 mi in
|
~4h 55m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 182.5 mi | 3h 15m |
| US 101 | 46.7 mi | 53m |
| CA 152 | 41.1 mi | 51m |
| I 5 Truck | 37.7 mi | 43m |
| Golden State Freeway | 29 mi | 33m |
| South Valley Freeway | 19.9 mi | 22m |
| Hollywood Freeway | 15.5 mi | 19m |
| Sharp Park Road | 2.1 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 182.5 mi, about 3h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles, CA and Pacifica, 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
183 mi
·
3 hr 15 min
·
Westside Freeway
Toward I 5 North
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 403B
Toward CA 152 West: Gilroy, Hollister, San Jose
14
Continue on CA 152; CA33
29 mi
·
33 min
·
CA 152; CA33
Use the none lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 152
12 mi
·
16 min
·
CA 152
Use the none lane.
16
Take the exit onto CA 152
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
CA 152
Toward US 101 North: San Jose
17
Merge onto US 101; CA 152
20 mi
·
22 min
·
South Valley Freeway
Use the none / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto US 101
22 mi
·
25 min
·
US 101
Use the none lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto US 101
25 mi
·
28 min
·
US 101
Use the slight left lane.
20
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Exit 423B
Toward I 380 West: San Bruno
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto I 380
160 ft
·
2 sec
·
Quentin L. Kopp Freeway
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 5
Toward CA 82: El Camino Real
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn right onto CA 82
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
El Camino Real
Use the right lane.
24
Turn left onto Sneath Lane
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Sneath Lane
Use the left / uturn lanes.
25
Turn right onto CA 35
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Skyline Boulevard
Use the right lane.
26
Turn left onto Sharp Park Road
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Sharp Park Road
Use the left lane.
27
Turn slight right
159 ft
·
7 sec
Toward Francisco Boulevard
Use the right lane.
28
Turn straight onto Francisco Boulevard
218 ft
·
6 sec
·
Francisco Boulevard
29
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Toward CA 1 South: Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz
Use the right lane.
30
Merge onto CA 1
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Cabrillo Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
31
Turn sharp left onto Reina del Mar Avenue
90 ft
·
4 sec
·
Reina del Mar Avenue
32
Arrive at destination
Reina del Mar Avenue
Trip Plan
To manage the 7-hour and 18-minute duration effectively, plan for at least two intentional stops to break up the monotony of the highway stretches. Leaving Los Angeles early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid the worst of the traffic congestion common on these major arteries. Since you are facing a longest stretch of 182.5 miles, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before hitting the Westside Freeway to avoid unnecessary detours. Keep your pace steady, and remember that while the route is manageable in a single day, having the flexibility to adjust your two stops based on traffic flow will make the experience much smoother.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 191.4 miles from Los Angeles, CA, or about 3h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 182.5 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 84 miles or 1h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 191.4 miles or 3h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pacifica, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Los Angeles, CA
This is one driving day of about 382.7 miles and 7h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 miles from Los Angeles, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 182.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 191.4 mi from Los Angeles, CA · 3h 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
191 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 84 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 191.4 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 182.5 miles.
Arriving in Pacifica, CA
The final approach into Pacifica, 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 Pacifica, 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
$88.62 one way
$177.25 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
134 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $91.40 | $182.79 |
| premium | $6.24 | $94.06 | $188.13 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $85.02 | $170.05 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$89
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$114–$139
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 133.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 114.8 | 1 | $40.18 | $18.37 |
| Efficient EV | 95.7 | 1 | $33.49 | $15.31 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 153.1 | 1 | $53.58 | $24.49 |
Gas CO2
134 kg
EV CO2
45 kg (66% 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
Pacifica, CA
Afternoon in Pacifica on Sunday
Local time
4:19 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°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
30 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
7h 18m 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 Pacifica, CA covers 382.7 miles and takes about 7h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, US 101, CA 152. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 191.4 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 $88.62 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 2 meaningful breaks 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 28 significant decision points across 382.7 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 24.5 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.5 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 374.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Los Angeles, CA and Pacifica, CA, road signs point toward Hollister and San Jose.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Pacifica, CA
More trips to Pacifica, CA
Explore more options from Los Angeles, CA or browse trips ending in Pacifica, CA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.
Explore maps for Los Angeles, CA or Pacifica, CA on MapSof.net.