Mariposa, CA to Los Angeles, CA is 289.5 miles and takes about 5h 45m via Golden State Freeway, Golden State Highway, and CA 99, with a fuel budget near $67 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you from the Pacific Coast region into the heart of Southern California. It's a mixed drive, meaning you'll experience a variety of road types, so be prepared for a dynamic journey. Given its manageable duration, this trip is well-suited for a single day of travel.
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
144.7 miles from Mariposa, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 59m into the drive
.
Frank Lloyd Wright is said to have quipped, "Tip the world over on its side and everything loose will land in Los Angeles," a quote that has since been repeated both by those who love and hate L.A. The "City of Angels" is home to people who hail from all parts of the globe and an important center of culture, business, media, and international trade. However, it's most famous for being a major center of the world's television, motion picture, and music industry, which forms the base of the city's status and lures visitors for its show business history and celebrity culture. Visitors are also drawn to Los Angeles for its Mediterranean climate and numerous beaches, which gave birth to California's famed surf culture.
Top landmarks
•Hollywood Walk of Fame — more than 2,700 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks...
•Hollywood Sign — sign reading "HOLLYWOOD" located in Los Angeles, California, United States
•Getty Center — campus of the Getty Museum and other programs of the Getty Trust in Los Angeles
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 45m. Total distance: 289.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This 289.5-mile route features a 58% highway share, offering substantial stretches of faster travel. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 94.8 miles on the Golden State Freeway, providing a good opportunity to cover ground efficiently. The drive is characterized as a "mixed drive," suggesting a blend of high-speed freeway segments and potentially more varied road conditions as you progress south. Expect the character of the drive to shift as you transition between major highways and other thoroughfares.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Golden State Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 94.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 73 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 289.5 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 73 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 177.1 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 266.7 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
73 mi into trip|~1h 42m in
Take the exit toward CA 99 South: Bakersfield, Los Angeles
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 126A
Toward CA 99 South: Bakersfield, Los Angeles
7
177.1 mi into trip|~3h 34m in|CA 99 / Golden State Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99 / Golden State Freeway toward CA 99 South: Los Angeles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 99 South: Los Angeles
8
266.7 mi into trip|~5h 16m in|I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 405 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 158
Toward I 405 South
7
272.3 mi into trip|~5h 22m in
Take the exit toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 153B
Toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
7
289 mi into trip|~5h 44m in
Take the exit toward Broadway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 2C
Toward Broadway
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Golden State Freeway
94.8 mi
1h 47m
Golden State Highway
58.6 mi
1h 2m
CA 99
39.6 mi
42m
Southern Yosemite Highway
35.5 mi
49m
Golden Chain Highway
16.6 mi
24m
Hollywood Freeway
16.2 mi
20m
Boot Jack Road
9.6 mi
14m
Dwight David Eisenhower Memorial Freeway
7.2 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
Golden State Freeway
— 94.8 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mariposa, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on this road
133 ft·15 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto 6th Street
214 ft·11 sec·6th Street
3
Turn right onto CA 49
0.2 mi·27 sec·Central Yosemite Highway
4
Turn left
75 ft·2 sec
5
Turn right onto CA 49
17 mi·24 min·Golden Chain Highway
6
Continue on CA 49
9.6 mi·14 min·Boot Jack Road
7
Turn right onto CA 41
36 mi·49 min·Southern Yosemite Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on CA 41
2.6 mi·3 min·Yosemite Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on CA 41
7.2 mi·8 min·Dwight David Eisenhower Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on CA 41
1.1 mi·1 min·Yosemite Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 126AToward CA 99 South: Bakersfield, Los AngelesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto CA 99
40 mi·42 min·CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
59 mi·1 hr 2 min·Golden State Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on CA 99
5.2 mi·5 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
27 mi·30 min·Golden State Freeway
Toward CA 99 South: Los AngelesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
0.3 mi·17 sec·I 5 Truck
Exit 158Toward I 405 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
5.3 mi·6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.5 mi·32 sec
Exit 153BToward CA 170 South: HollywoodUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on CA 170
16 mi·20 min·Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 2CToward BroadwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on West Aliso Street
409 ft·18 sec·West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn right onto North Spring Street
0.3 mi·35 sec·North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
25
Turn left onto West 1st Street
354 ft·12 sec·West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
26
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
For this 5h 45m drive, departing Mariposa in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight. With a single day travel time, you have flexibility in pacing your stops, but plan for at least one break. The estimated fuel cost is $67, so ensure your tank is full before heading out, especially before longer stretches like the 94.8 miles on the Golden State Freeway. Keep an eye on traffic as you approach the Los Angeles area, as it can significantly impact your arrival time.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 144.7 miles from Mariposa, CA, or about 2h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.8 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 64 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.7 miles or 2h 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Los Angeles, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Mariposa, 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 Mariposa, CA
This is one driving day of about 289.5 miles and 5h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Mariposa, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Golden State Freeway for about 94.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 144.7 mi from Mariposa, CA
· 2h 59m into the drive
The midpoint is around 144.7 miles from Mariposa, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Golden State Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 94.8 miles.
Arriving in Los Angeles, CA
The final approach into Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles, CA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultura...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 269.5
Yes, we can! Widely recognized as the most important Latino leader in the United States during the twentieth century, Cesar Chavez led farm workers and supporters in the establishment of the country's...
25 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 199.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$66.54 one way
$133.08 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$68.57
$137.14
premium
$6.18
$70.40
$140.81
diesel
$5.61
$63.92
$127.84
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$67
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$92–$117
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.9
1
$30.40
$13.90
Efficient EV
72.4
0
$25.33
$11.58
EV Truck/SUV
115.8
1
$40.53
$18.53
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Mariposa, CA
Late night
in Mariposa on Saturday
Local time
3:55 AM
PDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Late night
in Los Angeles on Saturday
Local time
3:55 AM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
10 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
5h 45m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Mariposa, CA to Los Angeles, CA covers 289.5 miles and takes about 5h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Golden State Freeway, Golden State Highway, CA 99. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 144.7 miles from Mariposa, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $66.54 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 289.5 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 73 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 177.1 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 266.7 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Mariposa, CA to Los Angeles, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
