Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
6h 38m
Distance
355.2 mi
572 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$82
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Woodlake, CA
Wikimedia Commons
If you are planning a trip from Los Angeles to Woodlake, expect a straightforward journey covering 355.2 miles. You should plan for a total drive time of approximately 6 hours and 38 minutes behind the wheel. Given the distance and duration, this route is manageable as a one-day trip if you get an early start, though it remains a significant haul. Budget about $48 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Since both cities are located within the Pacific Coast region of California, you will be traveling within the same geographic area throughout the drive. This itinerary is ideal for travelers who prioritize efficiency over scenic detours, as it relies heavily on major arterial 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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
177.6 miles from Los Angeles, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 19m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 38m. Total distance: 355.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 38m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Expect a highly efficient, highway-focused experience, as 99% of this route is comprised of major highways. You will navigate a system that includes the Golden State Freeway, I-5 Truck, and the Westside Freeway. The journey features a significant stretch of 251.1 miles on the Westside Freeway, which accounts for the vast majority of your time on the road. Because the route is almost entirely interstate-based, you should prepare for a consistent, high-speed pace rather than technical winding roads. It is a practical, utilitarian drive that keeps you moving steadily toward your destination in Woodlake.
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.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 355.2 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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 / Westside Freeway toward I 5 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 251.1 mi | 4h 29m |
| I 5 Truck | 37.7 mi | 43m |
| Golden State Freeway | 29 mi | 33m |
| Hollywood Freeway | 15.5 mi | 19m |
| CA 99 | 13.6 mi | 15m |
| Crosstown Freeway | 2.5 mi | 2m |
| Woodbridge Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| CA 4 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles, CA and Woodlake, CA.
Start on West 1st Street
Turn right onto North Broadway
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 101
Continue on US 101
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Take the exit onto CA 4
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 4
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 4
Merge onto CA 4
Take the exit
Merge onto CA 99
Take the exit
Turn right onto 99 Frontage Road
Turn left onto Woodbridge Road
Turn right
Turn right
Arrive at destination
To keep your drive smooth, aim to depart Los Angeles early in the morning to beat heavy traffic and maximize your daylight hours. With only one recommended stop over the course of the 355.2-mile journey, you have the flexibility to choose where you want to break up the monotony. Since you will spend nearly the entire time on major highways, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the long 251.1-mile segment on the Westside Freeway to ensure you do not run low between service stations. This is a long day of driving, so prioritize hydration and frequent posture adjustments to stay alert. Treat this as a focused transit day rather than a sightseeing tour to ensure you arrive in Woodlake refreshed.
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 78 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 177.6 miles or 3h 19m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Woodlake, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Los Angeles, CA
This is one driving day of about 355.2 miles and 6h 38m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 177.6 mi from Los Angeles, CA · 3h 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
178 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 78 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 177.6 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 251.1 miles.
The final approach into Woodlake, 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 Woodlake, 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.
Regular Gas
$81.64 one way
$163.28 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $84.13 | $168.26 |
| premium | $6.18 | $86.38 | $172.76 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $78.42 | $156.85 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$82
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$107–$132
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 124.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 106.6 | 1 | $37.30 | $17.05 |
| Efficient EV | 88.8 | 1 | $31.08 | $14.21 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 142.1 | 1 | $49.73 | $22.73 |
Gas CO2
124 kg
EV CO2
42 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Los Angeles on Thursday
Local time
7:06 AM
PDT
Current temp
72°F
Sunny
Destination
Morning in Woodlake on Thursday
Local time
7:06 AM
PDT
Current temp
50°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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