Origin
Los Angeles, CA
Afternoon in Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
3:00 PM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Los Angeles, CA to Pasadena, CA
Drive Time
17m
Distance
10.3 mi
17 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 16m
★
6 AM
0h 17m
8 AM
0h 20m
10 AM
0h 18m
12 PM
0h 18m
3 PM
0h 19m
5 PM
0h 20m
8 PM
0h 16m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Pasadena, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
If you are planning to head from Los Angeles to Pasadena, you are looking at a quick 10.3-mile trip that typically takes just 17 minutes. Because the entire journey is located within the Pacific Coast region, you won’t experience any major shifts in landscape, making this a straightforward day trip. You can easily complete the drive in one day without needing an overnight stay. With a fuel cost of just $1, it is a very budget-friendly transit between the two cities. Relying on North Broadway and South Arroyo Parkway, this route is ideal for those who prioritize efficiency over a long-distance road trip experience.
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
5.2 miles from Los Angeles, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 8m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 10.3-mile route is heavily highway-focused, with 83% of your time spent on high-speed roads. You will find yourself primarily navigating the Arroyo Seco Parkway, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 7.2 miles. Expect a transition from the dense urban grid of Los Angeles onto this primary arterial road as you head toward Pasadena. While the drive is short, the reliance on major parkways gives it a fast-paced, functional personality. You won't find any stops along the way, so prepare for a continuous drive once you merge onto the main highway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Arroyo Seco Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 7.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Arroyo Seco Parkway and South Arroyo Parkway. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near North Broadway.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 10.3 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (North Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (West College Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles (North Hill Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 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
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
West College Street
Turn left onto West College Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
North Hill Street
Turn right onto North Hill Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
10 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
US 66 Hist / East Colorado Boulevard
Turn right onto US 66 Hist / East Colorado Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
10.2 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
North Garfield Avenue
Turn left onto North Garfield Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Arroyo Seco Parkway | 7.2 mi | 10m |
| South Arroyo Parkway | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| North Broadway | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| North Hill Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Colorado Boulevard | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West 1st Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Garfield Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| West College Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Arroyo Seco Parkway
— 7.2 mi, about 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles, CA and Pasadena, 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
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North Broadway
Use the none lane.
3
Turn left onto West College Street
404 ft
·
15 sec
·
West College Street
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto North Hill Street
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
North Hill Street
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the ramp
431 ft
·
6 sec
Toward CA 110 North
6
Merge onto CA 110; US 6 Hist; US 66 Hist
7.2 mi
·
10 min
·
Arroyo Seco Parkway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on US 66 Hist
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South Arroyo Parkway
Use the none lane.
8
Turn right onto US 66 Hist
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
East Colorado Boulevard
Use the none lane.
9
Turn left onto North Garfield Avenue
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
North Garfield Avenue
Use the left lane.
10
Turn left onto East Holly Street
73 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Holly Street
11
Arrive at destination
East Holly Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a brief 17-minute commute, you have significant flexibility regarding your departure time. You don't need to worry about pacing your stops, as there are zero scheduled breaks required for this 10.3-mile distance. Keep in mind that the route is almost entirely highway-based, so be prepared to merge quickly once you enter the Arroyo Seco Parkway. Given the minimal $1 fuel cost, your primary logistical focus should simply be timing your departure to avoid peak traffic congestion on these main thoroughfares. Enjoy the ease of such a short transit between these two Pacific Coast cities.
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 5.2 miles from Los Angeles, CA, or about 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 7.2 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 10.3 miles or 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 5.2 miles or 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pasadena, 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 10.3 miles and 17m.
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 Arroyo Seco Parkway for about 7.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 5.2 mi from Los Angeles, CA · 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
5 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 10.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 5.2 miles from Los Angeles, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Pasadena, CA
The final approach into Pasadena, 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 Pasadena, 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
$2.39 one way
$4.77 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $2.46 | $4.92 |
| premium | $6.24 | $2.53 | $5.06 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $2.29 | $4.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 3.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.1 | 0 | $1.08 | $0.49 |
| Efficient EV | 2.6 | 0 | $0.90 | $0.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.1 | 0 | $1.44 | $0.66 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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
Pasadena, CA
Afternoon in Pasadena on Sunday
Local time
3:00 PM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
44°F
Burbank, CA
5 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
17m 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 Pasadena, CA covers 10.3 miles and takes about 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Arroyo Seco Parkway, South Arroyo Parkway, North Broadway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 5.2 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 $2.39 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 10.3 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (North Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (West College Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles (North Hill Street): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Los Angeles, CA to Pasadena, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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