Origin
Placerville, CA
Morning in Placerville on Saturday
Local time
11:15 AM
PDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Placerville, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 49m
Distance
416.5 mi
670 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$96
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 41m
★
6 AM
7h 50m
8 AM
8h 8m
10 AM
7h 56m
12 PM
7h 54m
3 PM
7h 57m
5 PM
8h 7m
8 PM
7h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Placerville, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Placerville, CA to Los Angeles, CA is 416.5 miles and takes about 7h 49m via Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck, with a fuel budget near $96 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays on highways as you travel south through California, connecting two points within the Pacific Coast region. Given its highway-focused profile and single-day recommendation, this route is best suited for those prioritizing efficient travel over leisurely exploration. Expect a straightforward journey where getting from point A to point B is the main objective.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
208.2 miles from Placerville, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 57m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 250.2 mi | 4h 28m |
| I 5 Truck | 63.9 mi | 1h 13m |
| US 50 | 32.9 mi | 38m |
| South Sacramento Freeway | 29.7 mi | 34m |
| Hollywood Freeway | 16.2 mi | 20m |
| Bradshaw Road | 11.6 mi | 16m |
| Golden State Freeway | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| Crosstown Freeway | 2.4 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 250.2 mi, about 4h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Placerville, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on Main Street
185 ft
·
11 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn right onto Bedford Avenue
260 ft
·
9 sec
·
Bedford Avenue
3
Turn left onto US 50
33 mi
·
38 min
·
US 50
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 13
Toward Bradshaw Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Turn left onto Bradshaw Road
9.0 mi
·
12 min
·
Bradshaw Road
Use the left lane.
6
Enter roundabout onto Bradshaw Road
81 ft
·
1 sec
·
Bradshaw Road
7
Continue on Bradshaw Road
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Bradshaw Road
Use the left / uturn lanes.
8
Turn right onto E2
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Grant Line Road
Use the right lane.
9
Continue on E2
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
Kammerer Road
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
11
Merge onto CA 99
30 mi
·
34 min
·
South Sacramento Freeway
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward CA 4
13
Merge onto CA 4
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Crosstown Freeway
14
Take the exit onto CA 4
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
CA 4
Toward I 5: Sacramento
15
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 4
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
CA 4
Toward I 5 South
16
Merge onto I 5; CA 4
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Westside Freeway
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi
·
48 sec
·
Westside Freeway
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
237 mi
·
4 hr 13 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
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.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 153B
Toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on CA 170
16 mi
·
20 min
·
Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 2C
Toward Broadway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on West Aliso Street
409 ft
·
18 sec
·
West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
27
Turn right onto North Spring Street
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
28
Turn left onto West 1st Street
354 ft
·
12 sec
·
West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
29
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
With a duration of under 8 hours, this route is easily manageable as a single-day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Plan for approximately 2 stops to break up the 416.5 miles and manage your energy. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $96, and be aware of the longest stretch without a major break, which is 250.2 miles. Given the highway nature, it's wise to leave early to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach the Los Angeles area.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 208.2 miles from Placerville, CA, or about 3h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 250.2 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 92 miles or 1h 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 208.2 miles or 3h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 37m
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 Placerville, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Placerville, CA
This is one driving day of about 416.5 miles and 7h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 92 miles from Placerville, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 250.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
208 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 92 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 208.2 miles from Placerville, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 250.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 255 decision points cluster between mile 33 and 416.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
33 mi into trip
|
~38m in
Take the exit toward Bradshaw Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 13
Toward Bradshaw Road
8
393.7 mi into trip
|
~7h 20m 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
399.3 mi into trip
|
~7h 26m 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
415.9 mi into trip
|
~7h 48m 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
416.1 mi into trip
|
~7h 48m in
|
North Spring Street
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$95.73 one way
$191.46 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
146 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $98.65 | $197.30 |
| premium | $6.18 | $101.29 | $202.58 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $91.96 | $183.92 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$96
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$121–$146
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 145.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 124.9 | 1 | $43.73 | $19.99 |
| Efficient EV | 104.1 | 1 | $36.44 | $16.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 166.6 | 2 | $58.31 | $26.66 |
Gas CO2
146 kg
EV CO2
49 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.
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Morning in Los Angeles on Saturday
Local time
11:15 AM
PDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Clear
N 5 to 10 mph
0% chance
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
11 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
7h 49m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 387.7
View on nps.gov
César E. Chávez National Monument
National Monument
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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 330.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 96% of the journey utilizing major roadways like US 50, Westside Freeway, and I 5 Truck. You'll experience long stretches of consistent driving, including one segment of 250.2 miles on the Westside Freeway. The character of the road remains largely consistent, emphasizing speed and directness rather than varied scenery. Prepare for a drive where the focus is on covering ground efficiently.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 250.2 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 33 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 416.5 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 33 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 393.7 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 399.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Arriving in Los Angeles, CA
Full guide →“Tinseltown” · Founded 1781
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 49m. Total distance: 416.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 49m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 250.2 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Los Angeles, CA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 33 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 393.7 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 399.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and César E. Chávez National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.8 hours each way, a round trip means 15.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Los Angeles, CA before the return drive.
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.
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