Origin
Los Angeles, CA
Late night in Los Angeles on Monday
Local time
5:54 AM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Los Angeles, CA to Palo Cedro, CA
Drive Time
10h
Distance
541.5 mi
872 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$125
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
9h 51m
★
6 AM
10h 0m
8 AM
10h 18m
10 AM
10h 7m
12 PM
10h 5m
3 PM
10h 7m
5 PM
10h 17m
8 PM
9h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Palo Cedro, CA
Dominik Gryzbon
Trip Overview
The drive from Los Angeles, CA to Palo Cedro, CA covers 541.5 miles and takes about 10h behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, Golden State Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is long-distance drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 425.9 miles on Westside Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $125.40 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
270.8 miles from Los Angeles, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 59m into the drive .
Drive Character
At 541.5 miles and 10h of driving, this is a route where fuel stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single turn. The main roads are Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck.
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.
Westside Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 425.9 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 16.9 miles in.
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 541.5 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 18 key pointsThese 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
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 straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 5 North
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 425.9 mi | 7h 39m |
| I 5 Truck | 37.7 mi | 43m |
| Golden State Freeway | 29 mi | 33m |
| Cascade Wonderland Highway | 20.8 mi | 22m |
| Hollywood Freeway | 15.5 mi | 19m |
| Deschutes Road | 10.2 mi | 17m |
| Santa Ana Freeway | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| North Broadway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 425.9 mi, about 7h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles, CA and Palo Cedro, 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 right at fork onto I 5
226 mi
·
4 hr 1 min
·
Westside Freeway
Toward I 5 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
26 mi
·
27 min
·
Westside Freeway
14
Keep left at fork onto I 5
54 mi
·
59 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
121 mi
·
2 hr 10 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 5
21 mi
·
22 min
·
Cascade Wonderland Highway
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward Factory Outlet Drive, Deschutes Road
18
Keep slight left at fork
214 ft
·
6 sec
19
Enter roundabout onto Deschutes Road
109 ft
·
4 sec
·
Deschutes Road
20
Continue on Deschutes Road
10 mi
·
17 min
·
Deschutes Road
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn left onto Old 44 Drive
63 ft
·
1 sec
·
Old 44 Drive
Use the left lane.
22
Arrive at destination
Old 44 Drive
Trip Plan
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 270.8 miles from Los Angeles, CA, or about 4h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 425.9 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 119 miles or 2h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 270.8 miles or 4h 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 270.8 miles or 4h 59m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 8h 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Palo Cedro, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Los Angeles, CA
Aim for roughly 271 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Palo Cedro, CA
Aim for roughly 271 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 119 miles from Los Angeles, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 425.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 270.8 mi from Los Angeles, CA · 4h 59m into the drive
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
179 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
357 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Sacramento, CAOvernight Options
Night 1
271 mi · about 5h in
A practical overnight split lands near Modesto, CA after about 271 miles or 5 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 119 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 270.8 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 425.9 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 271 miles or 5 hours on the road.
Arriving in Palo Cedro, CA
The final approach into Palo Cedro, 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 Palo Cedro, CA.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Palo Cedro, CA with some flexibility left in the schedule.
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
$125.40 one way
$250.80 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
190 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $129.32 | $258.64 |
| premium | $6.24 | $133.09 | $266.19 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $120.30 | $240.61 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$125
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$255–$365
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 189.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $57 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 162.5 | 2 | $56.86 | $25.99 |
| Efficient EV | 135.4 | 1 | $47.38 | $21.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 216.6 | 2 | $75.81 | $34.66 |
Gas CO2
189 kg
EV CO2
63 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 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.
Destination
Palo Cedro, CA
Late night in Palo Cedro on Monday
Local time
5:54 AM
PDT
Current temp
46°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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
31 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
10h on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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 Palo Cedro, CA covers 541.5 miles and takes about 10h 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. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 271 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 270.8 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 $125.40 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 18 significant decision points across 541.5 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 Palo Cedro, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Palo Cedro, CA
More trips to Palo Cedro, CA
Explore more options from Los Angeles, CA or browse trips ending in Palo Cedro, CA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.
Explore maps for Los Angeles, CA or Palo Cedro, CA on MapSof.net.