Drive Time
17m
Distance
11.7 mi
19 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
Photo: Efrem Efre
If you are looking to travel from Los Angeles to Cudahy, you are in for a quick 11.7-mile journey that typically takes about 17 minutes. This Pacific Coast trip is easily manageable as a single-day excursion, requiring no overnight stays. With a fuel cost estimate of just $2, it is a highly budget-friendly commute. You will primarily utilize the Santa Ana Freeway and the Long Beach Freeway before transitioning onto Firestone Boulevard to reach your destination. Because the entire route remains within the Pacific Coast region, you won't experience drastic shifts in geography, making this a straightforward and predictable drive.
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
5.9 miles from Los Angeles, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 8m into the drive .
Expect a highway-focused experience, as roughly 79% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on major thoroughfares. You will face your longest uninterrupted stretch while navigating 5 miles along the Santa Ana Freeway, where traffic flow will dictate your pace. The remainder of the trip transitions from these fast-paced highway segments into the more localized environment of Firestone Boulevard. This balance creates a drive that prioritizes efficiency over scenery, moving you rapidly from the urban core of Los Angeles toward Cudahy. It is a functional, no-frills route designed for direct transit rather than leisurely cruising.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Santa Ana Freeway and Long Beach Freeway. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Main Street.
Moderate — some attention needed at key points
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 11.7 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: near the start (North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (East Aliso Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles: Multiple destination signs — pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Lane positioning matters here
Lane positioning matters here
Multiple destination signs — pick the right one
Exit ramp — move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Exit ramp — move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
The route from Los Angeles, CA to Cudahy, CA passes through Firestone Boulevard along the way.
Firestone Boulevard
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Ana Freeway | 5 mi | 6m |
| Long Beach Freeway | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| Firestone Boulevard | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Atlantic Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| North Main Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Aliso Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| West 1st Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles, CA and Cudahy, CA.
Since this is a short 17-minute trip, you have significant flexibility regarding your departure time, though planning around peak traffic on the Santa Ana Freeway is always a smart move. You will not need to schedule any formal stops for this 11.7-mile distance, allowing you to reach Cudahy without unnecessary delays. Given the $2 fuel cost, you can easily handle the drive on a single tank of gas without needing to worry about refueling along the way. My best advice is to keep a close eye on your GPS as you transition from the Long Beach Freeway onto Firestone Boulevard, as this turn marks the final, slower-paced leg of your journey.
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.
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 11.7 miles or 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 5.9 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 Cudahy, 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 11.7 miles and 17m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 5.9 mi from Los Angeles, CA · 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
6 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 11.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 5.9 miles from Los Angeles, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Cudahy, 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 Cudahy, CA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$1.59 one way
$3.18 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.85 | $1.77 | $3.55 |
| premium | $4.15 | $1.91 | $3.82 |
| diesel | $3.75 | $1.73 | $3.45 |
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: 4.1 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.5 | 0 | $1.23 | $0.56 |
| Efficient EV | 2.9 | 0 | $1.02 | $0.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.7 | 0 | $1.64 | $0.75 |
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Los Angeles on Saturday
Local time
10:37 AM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Cudahy on Saturday
Local time
10:37 AM
PDT
Current temp
55°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
55°F
Downey, CA
6 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
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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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