Origin
Modesto, CA
Afternoon in Modesto on Sunday
Local time
12:54 PM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Modesto, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Drive Time
5h 52m
Distance
311.7 mi
502 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$72
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 40m
★
6 AM
5h 53m
8 AM
6h 19m
10 AM
6h 2m
12 PM
5h 59m
3 PM
6h 3m
5 PM
6h 17m
8 PM
5h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Modesto, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Traveling from Modesto to Los Angeles spans 311.7 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 52 minutes of driving time. Because this route is a straightforward highway-focused drive, it is easily manageable as a single-day trip. You should budget approximately $42 for fuel to cover the journey. While both cities are located within the Pacific Coast region, the drive takes you through the heart of the Central Valley. Whether you are heading south for business or a change of scenery, the simplicity of this path makes it a reliable choice for a direct commute.
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
155.8 miles from Modesto, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 55m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient trip, as 81% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on highways. You will primarily navigate via CA 99, transitioning into the Golden State Highway and the Golden State Freeway as you approach your destination. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 134.8 miles on CA 99, providing a consistent driving rhythm. Because this route is heavily focused on major arteries, you will experience a steady, predictable pace rather than technical or winding secondary roads. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive designed for getting you from point A to point B as quickly as possible.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
CA 99 is the longest continuous segment at about 134.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CA 99 and Golden State Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 199.2 miles in near CA 99 / Golden State Freeway.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 311.7 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 199.2 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 288.9 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 294.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
199.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 41m 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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 99 South: Los Angeles
8
288.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 23m 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
294.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 29m 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
311.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 51m 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
7
311.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 51m in
|
North Spring Street
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CA 99 | 134.8 mi | 2h 31m |
| Golden State Freeway | 94.8 mi | 1h 47m |
| Golden State Highway | 58.6 mi | 1h 2m |
| Hollywood Freeway | 16.2 mi | 20m |
| I 5 Truck | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| H Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| North Spring Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| West Aliso Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
CA 99
— 134.8 mi, about 2h 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Modesto, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on 11th Street
81 ft
·
10 sec
·
11th Street
2
Turn left onto H Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
H Street
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
4
Merge onto CA 99
94 mi
·
1 hr 47 min
·
CA 99
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
41 mi
·
44 min
·
CA 99
Use the none lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
59 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
Golden State Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on CA 99
5.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
27 mi
·
30 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Toward CA 99 South: Los Angeles
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
58 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the none lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the none lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
·
I 5 Truck
Exit 158
Toward I 405 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 153B
Toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on CA 170
16 mi
·
20 min
·
Hollywood Freeway
Use the none lane.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 2C
Toward Broadway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on West Aliso Street
409 ft
·
18 sec
·
West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn right onto North Spring Street
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
18
Turn left onto West 1st Street
354 ft
·
12 sec
·
West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
19
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a roughly 6-hour trek, plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel during the journey. To avoid the worst of the traffic as you enter the Los Angeles basin, try to time your departure to bypass peak congestion periods. Keep in mind that with a $42 fuel estimate, it is wise to monitor your gas levels before entering the longer stretches of CA 99. The flexibility of a one-day trip allows you to leave at your convenience, but starting early in the morning is your best strategy for a stress-free arrival.
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 155.8 miles from Modesto, CA, or about 2h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 134.8 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 80 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 155.8 miles or 2h 55m 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 45m
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 Modesto, 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 Modesto, CA
This is one driving day of about 311.7 miles and 5h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Modesto, 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 CA 99 for about 134.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 155.8 mi from Modesto, CA · 2h 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
156 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 155.8 miles from Modesto, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before CA 99 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 134.8 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.
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$72.18 one way
$144.36 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
109 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $74.44 | $148.88 |
| premium | $6.24 | $76.61 | $153.22 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $69.25 | $138.50 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$72
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$97–$122
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 93.5 | 1 | $32.73 | $14.96 |
| Efficient EV | 77.9 | 0 | $27.27 | $12.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 124.7 | 1 | $43.64 | $19.95 |
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
36 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Afternoon in Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
12:54 PM
PDT
Current temp
77°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
26 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 52m 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 Modesto, CA to Los Angeles, CA covers 311.7 miles and takes about 5h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are CA 99, Golden State Freeway, Golden State Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 155.8 miles from Modesto, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $72.18 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 15 significant decision points across 311.7 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 199.2 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 288.9 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 294.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Modesto, CA to Los Angeles, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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