Origin
Pasadena, CA
Afternoon in Pasadena on Sunday
Local time
2:59 PM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pasadena, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Drive Time
17m
Distance
10.3 mi
17 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 16m
★
6 AM
0h 17m
8 AM
0h 20m
10 AM
0h 18m
12 PM
0h 18m
3 PM
0h 18m
5 PM
0h 20m
8 PM
0h 16m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pasadena, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick transition between Pasadena and Los Angeles, this 10.3-mile trip is an incredibly efficient option. You can expect to reach your destination in about 17 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stops. Budgeting for your journey is simple, as you will likely only spend about $1 on fuel. Since both cities are located within the Pacific Coast region, you won't experience a major change in landscape, but the drive provides a practical connection between these two hubs. It is a straightforward route that keeps travel time to a minimum, allowing you to maximize your time once you arrive.
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
5.2 miles from Pasadena, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 8m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is heavily highway-focused, with 82% of the route spent on fast-moving roads. You will spend the bulk of your time on the Arroyo Seco Parkway, which accounts for a 7.2-mile stretch of your journey. The path begins on South Arroyo Parkway before transitioning onto the parkway and eventually moving through North Broadway to reach your final destination. Because it is a short, direct drive, you won't encounter a mix of winding backroads or technical terrain. Instead, you can anticipate a consistent, fast-paced experience behind the wheel that prioritizes speed and direct connectivity over scenic wandering.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Arroyo Seco Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 7.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Arroyo Seco Parkway and South Arroyo Parkway. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 66 Hist / East Colorado Boulevard.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 10.3 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: at 0.1 miles (US 66 Hist / East Colorado Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (US 66 Hist / South Arroyo Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 66 Hist / East Colorado Boulevard
At end of road, turn right onto US 66 Hist / East Colorado Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 66 Hist / South Arroyo Parkway
Turn left onto US 66 Hist / South Arroyo Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
8.8 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the exit toward Civic Center, Hill Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 24C
Toward Civic Center, Hill Street
7
9.2 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
West College Street
Turn left onto West College Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
9.3 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
North Broadway
Turn right onto North Broadway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Pasadena, CA to Los Angeles, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Civic Center along the way.
Civic Center
8.8 mi in
|
~13m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Arroyo Seco Parkway | 7.2 mi | 9m |
| South Arroyo Parkway | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| North Broadway | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| East Colorado Boulevard | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Hill Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West 1st Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Garfield Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| West College Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Arroyo Seco Parkway
— 7.2 mi, about 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pasadena, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on East Holly Street
73 ft
·
5 sec
·
East Holly Street
2
Turn right onto North Garfield Avenue
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
North Garfield Avenue
3
At end of road, turn right onto US 66 Hist
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
East Colorado Boulevard
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left onto US 66 Hist
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South Arroyo Parkway
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on CA 110; US 66 Hist
7.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Arroyo Seco Parkway
Use the none lane.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
Exit 24C
Toward Civic Center, Hill Street
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
7
Continue on this road
50 ft
·
1 sec
·
this road
Use the straight lane.
8
Turn slight right onto North Hill Street
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
North Hill Street
Use the none lane.
9
Turn left onto West College Street
404 ft
·
15 sec
·
West College Street
Use the left lane.
10
Turn right onto North Broadway
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North Broadway
Use the none lane.
11
Turn left onto West 1st Street
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
12
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 17-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your scheduling. You don't need to worry about planning for rest stops or multi-day pacing, as the entire route is easily manageable in one go. Keep in mind that because the vast majority of the drive occurs on the Arroyo Seco Parkway, traffic conditions on that specific highway will dictate your actual travel time. Aim to leave during off-peak hours to ensure you maintain that 17-minute duration. Given the low $1 fuel cost, this is a very budget-friendly commute that allows you to focus more on your plans in Los Angeles rather than the logistics of the road.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 5.2 miles from Pasadena, CA, or about 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 7.2 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 10.3 miles or 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 5.2 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 Los Angeles, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Pasadena, 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 Pasadena, CA
This is one driving day of about 10.3 miles and 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Pasadena, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Arroyo Seco Parkway for about 7.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 5.2 mi from Pasadena, CA · 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
5 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 10.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 5.2 miles from Pasadena, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.39 one way
$4.77 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $2.46 | $4.92 |
| premium | $6.24 | $2.53 | $5.06 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $2.29 | $4.58 |
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: 3.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.1 | 0 | $1.08 | $0.49 |
| Efficient EV | 2.6 | 0 | $0.90 | $0.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.1 | 0 | $1.44 | $0.66 |
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.
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Afternoon in Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
2:59 PM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
44°F
Burbank, CA
5 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
17m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Pasadena, CA to Los Angeles, CA covers 10.3 miles and takes about 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Arroyo Seco Parkway, South Arroyo Parkway, North Broadway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 5.2 miles from Pasadena, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.39 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 10.3 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 66 Hist / East Colorado Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (US 66 Hist / South Arroyo Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Pasadena, CA to Los Angeles, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Civic Center along the way.
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