Origin
Pico Rivera, CA
Afternoon in Pico Rivera on Sunday
Local time
2:17 PM
PDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pico Rivera, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Drive Time
17m
Distance
11.2 mi
18 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 16m
★
6 AM
0h 18m
8 AM
0h 21m
10 AM
0h 19m
12 PM
0h 19m
3 PM
0h 19m
5 PM
0h 21m
8 PM
0h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pico Rivera, CA
Tori Pezzulla❤️
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
If you are planning to head from Pico Rivera to Los Angeles, you are looking at a quick 11.2-mile journey that typically takes about 17 minutes. Because this is such a short trip within the Pacific Coast region, it is easily managed as a simple day trip that requires no overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via the Santa Ana Freeway, Washington Boulevard, and North Los Angeles Street. Budgeting about $2 for fuel should be more than enough to cover the distance. This drive is a straightforward transit between two California locations, making it a very practical choice for those needing to move between these points efficiently.
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
5.6 miles from Pico Rivera, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 9m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is heavily focused on highway travel, with 62% of your time spent on major routes. You will experience a primary highway stretch of 6.9 miles while navigating the Santa Ana Freeway. The road environment transitions from the suburban feel of Pico Rivera into the denser corridors as you approach Los Angeles. Expect a functional drive that prioritizes speed and directness over scenic cruising. It is a classic example of an urban commute, where the road character shifts from highway transit to local city streets as you reach your final destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 10 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Santa Ana Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 6.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Santa Ana Freeway and Washington Boulevard. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.4 miles in.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 11.2 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 3.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.5 miles (US 101 / Santa Ana Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.4 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
3.4 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the ramp toward I 5 North: Los Angeles, Santa Ana Freeway
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 5 North: Los Angeles, Santa Ana Freewa...
6
7.5 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
US 101 / Santa Ana Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 101 / Santa Ana Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
10.4 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Take the exit toward Alameda Street, Union Station
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 2B
Toward Alameda Street, Union Station
6
10.7 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
North Los Angeles Street
Turn left onto North Los Angeles Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
11.1 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
East 1st Street
Turn right onto East 1st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Pico Rivera, CA to Los Angeles, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Union Station along the way.
Union Station
10.4 mi in
|
~15m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Ana Freeway | 6.9 mi | 8m |
| Washington Boulevard | 3.2 mi | 6m |
| North Los Angeles Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Telegraph Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| East Arcadia Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| East 1st Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| West 1st Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Santa Ana Freeway
— 6.9 mi, about 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pico Rivera, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on Washington Boulevard
3.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Washington Boulevard
Use the none lane.
2
Turn right onto Telegraph Road
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
Telegraph Road
Use the right lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward I 5 North: Los Angeles, Santa Ana Freeway
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto I 5
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto US 101
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 2B
Toward Alameda Street, Union Station
Use the slight right lane.
7
Continue on I 10 EXPR
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
East Arcadia Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Turn left onto North Los Angeles Street
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
North Los Angeles Street
Use the none lane.
9
Turn right onto East 1st Street
461 ft
·
17 sec
·
East 1st Street
Use the none lane.
10
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 17-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though you should always check current traffic conditions for the Santa Ana Freeway. There are no planned stops necessary for such a brief duration, allowing you to head straight to your destination without needing to refuel or rest. Keep in mind that the transition from the freeway onto Washington Boulevard and North Los Angeles Street requires your full attention as you move into the city center. Use the lack of required stops to your advantage by planning your arrival time precisely around your schedule. A helpful tip for this route is to monitor local traffic apps specifically for the Santa Ana Freeway stretch, as that 6.9-mile segment is the most critical part of your travel time.
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 5.6 miles from Pico Rivera, CA, or about 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 6.9 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 11.2 miles or 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 5.6 miles or 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 14m
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 Pico Rivera, 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 Pico Rivera, CA
This is one driving day of about 11.2 miles and 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Pico Rivera, 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 Santa Ana Freeway for about 6.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 5.6 mi from Pico Rivera, CA · 9m 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 11.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 5.6 miles from Pico Rivera, 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
$2.59 one way
$5.19 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $2.67 | $5.35 |
| premium | $6.24 | $2.75 | $5.51 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $2.49 | $4.98 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 3.9 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 | 3.4 | 0 | $1.18 | $0.54 |
| Efficient EV | 2.8 | 0 | $0.98 | $0.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.5 | 0 | $1.57 | $0.72 |
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
2:17 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
22 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
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 Pico Rivera, CA to Los Angeles, CA covers 11.2 miles and takes about 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Santa Ana Freeway, Washington Boulevard, North Los Angeles Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 5.6 miles from Pico Rivera, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.59 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 is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 11.2 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.5 miles (US 101 / Santa Ana Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Pico Rivera, CA to Los Angeles, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Union Station along the way.
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