Origin
Los Angeles, CA
Evening in Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
6:35 PM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Los Angeles, CA to Ventura, CA
Drive Time
1h 22m
Distance
67.9 mi
109 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 16m
★
6 AM
1h 22m
8 AM
1h 35m
10 AM
1h 27m
12 PM
1h 25m
3 PM
1h 27m
5 PM
1h 34m
8 PM
1h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Ventura, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
If you are looking to escape the city for the coast, this 67.9-mile journey from Los Angeles to Ventura is a straightforward trek. You can easily complete the drive in about 1 hour and 22 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $9 on fuel for the trip, keeping your transit costs minimal. By utilizing the Hollywood Freeway, the Ventura Freeway, and US 101, you will remain within the Pacific Coast region for the duration of your travel. Because the route is so compact, you have plenty of flexibility to decide when to head out and when to return home. It is a practical, no-nonsense path that bridges the gap between the urban sprawl of LA and the coastal atmosphere of Ventura.
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
33.9 miles from Los Angeles, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 42m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 98% of your journey spent on high-speed thoroughfares. The experience is defined by a steady pace rather than winding backroads or technical maneuvers. You will find yourself cruising along for a longest uninterrupted stretch of 52.6 miles on the Ventura Freeway, which keeps the flow of traffic consistent. As you transition between the Hollywood Freeway and US 101, the road maintains a predictable, efficient character. While it lacks the complexity of a backcountry route, the high highway percentage ensures you reach your destination without the hassle of navigating local surface streets for the majority of the way.
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.
Ventura Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 52.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Ventura Freeway and Hollywood 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
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 67.9 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 0.1 miles (North Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.8 miles (US 101): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 64 miles (US 101): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
7
10.8 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
US 101
Take the exit onto US 101 toward US 101 North: Ventura
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 13
Toward US 101 North: Ventura
6
64 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m in
|
US 101
Keep slight left at fork onto US 101
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
67.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m in
Take the exit toward California Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 70A
Toward California Street
6
67.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m in
|
South California Street
Turn right onto South California Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ventura Freeway | 52.6 mi | 1h 1m |
| Hollywood Freeway | 9.4 mi | 12m |
| US 101 | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| Santa Ana Freeway | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| North Broadway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| West 1st Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| South California Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Ventura Freeway
— 52.6 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles, CA and Ventura, 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
9.4 mi
·
12 min
·
Hollywood Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit onto US 101
0.6 mi
·
43 sec
·
US 101
Exit 13
Toward US 101 North: Ventura
Use the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto US 101
53 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
Ventura Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 101
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
US 101
Use the none lane.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 70A
Toward California Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn right onto South California Street
200 ft
·
7 sec
·
South California Street
Use the right lane.
11
Arrive at destination
South California Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short 1 hour and 22-minute drive, you have the advantage of being able to leave at your leisure. However, given the reliance on major freeways like the Ventura and Hollywood, consider checking real-time traffic reports to avoid peak congestion hours. Because there are no mandatory stops required to reach your destination, you can travel straight through without needing to plan for lengthy breaks. Budgeting about $9 for gas should cover your fuel needs, but it is always a good idea to ensure your tank is topped off before merging onto the freeway system. Use the flexibility of this short trip to your benefit by choosing a departure time that aligns with your personal schedule rather than worrying about a complex itinerary.
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 33.9 miles from Los Angeles, CA, or about 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.6 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 67.9 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 33.9 miles or 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ventura, 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 67.9 miles and 1h 22m.
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 Ventura Freeway for about 52.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 33.9 mi from Los Angeles, CA · 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
34 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 67.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 33.9 miles from Los Angeles, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Ventura, CA
The final approach into Ventura, 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 Ventura, 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
$15.72 one way
$31.45 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $16.22 | $32.43 |
| premium | $6.24 | $16.69 | $33.38 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $15.09 | $30.17 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.4 | 0 | $7.13 | $3.26 |
| Efficient EV | 17 | 0 | $5.94 | $2.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.2 | 0 | $9.51 | $4.35 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (67% 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
Ventura, CA
Evening in Ventura on Sunday
Local time
6:35 PM
PDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
55°F
Santa Maria, CA
34 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
24 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
1h 22m 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 Ventura, CA covers 67.9 miles and takes about 1h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Ventura Freeway, Hollywood Freeway, US 101. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 33.9 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 $15.72 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 is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 67.9 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 0.1 miles (North Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.8 miles (US 101): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 64 miles (US 101): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Los Angeles, CA to Ventura, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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