Origin
Los Angeles, CA
Afternoon in Los Angeles on Thursday
Local time
3:43 PM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
7h 2m
Distance
376.3 mi
606 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$86
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Wilton, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Traveling from Los Angeles to Wilton covers 376.3 miles and takes approximately 7 hours and 2 minutes of driving time. While this distance is technically manageable as a single-day trip, the turn-heavy nature of the route makes it a significant commitment behind the wheel. You should budget about $87 for fuel to complete the journey. The drive keeps you within the Pacific Coast region, transitioning from the dense urban sprawl of Los Angeles toward the more rural areas near Wilton. Because of the duration, assess your stamina before deciding whether to power through in one day or break it up with an overnight stay.
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
188.1 miles from Los Angeles, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 31m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 2m. Total distance: 376.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 2m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Expect a departure from the typical highway-heavy experience, as this route is characterized by a turn-heavy local profile. You will navigate through North Broadway, US 101 North, and the Santa Ana Freeway, but the journey lacks a high percentage of traditional highway cruising. The road demands your full attention, as the constant turns prevent the monotony of a straight-line interstate grind. You will find that the character of the road shifts as you move away from the major freeways and onto more technical local stretches. Prepare for a hands-on driving experience that requires more focus than a high-speed interstate haul.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 2m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Los Angeles, CA to Wilton, CA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Broadway | — | — |
| US 101 North | — | — |
| Santa Ana Freeway | — | — |
| Hollywood Freeway | — | — |
| Golden State Freeway | — | — |
| I 5 | — | — |
| Westside Freeway | — | — |
| CA 4 East | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles, CA and Wilton, CA.
Start on West 1st Street
Turn right onto North Broadway
Take the ramp right toward US 101 North, CA 110
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
Continue on Hollywood Freeway
Keep slight left
Merge slight left onto Golden State Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
Keep slight left
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on Westside Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on Westside Freeway
Take the exit slight right toward CA 4 East: Downtown Stockton
Keep slight right
Keep slight left
Merge slight left onto Crosstown Freeway
Take the exit slight left toward CA 99 North
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward Grant Line Road
Turn right onto Grant Line Road
Turn right onto Wilton Road
Turn left onto Green Road
Arrive at your destination
To make the most of this 7-hour trek, plan for at least two well-timed stops to break up the technical segments of the drive. Departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid the worst of the congestion often found on the Santa Ana Freeway and other major corridors. Since fuel costs will run you around $87, keep an eye on your gauge when passing through more isolated sections to avoid unnecessary stress. Because this is a turn-heavy route, ensure your vehicle’s tire pressure and alignment are in good shape before you leave. Flexibility is key here; if you feel fatigued, don't hesitate to utilize those two stops to reset before finishing the final leg of the trip.
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 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 83 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 188.1 miles or 3h 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 5h 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wilton, CA than in the middle of the route.
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 376.3 miles and 7h 2m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 188.1 mi from Los Angeles, CA · 3h 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
188 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.
A short stop after about 83 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 188.1 miles from Los Angeles, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Wilton, 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 Wilton, CA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$86.49 one way
$172.98 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $89.13 | $178.25 |
| premium | $6.18 | $91.51 | $183.02 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $83.08 | $166.16 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$86
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$111–$136
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 131.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 112.9 | 1 | $39.51 | $18.06 |
| Efficient EV | 94.1 | 1 | $32.93 | $15.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 150.5 | 1 | $52.68 | $24.08 |
Gas CO2
132 kg
EV CO2
44 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Los Angeles on Thursday
Local time
3:43 PM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Wilton on Thursday
Local time
3:43 PM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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