Trip from Redwood City, CA to Los Angeles, CA

Drive Time

6h 51m

Distance

361.5 mi

582 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$84

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min

4 AM

6h 40m ★

6 AM

6h 52m

8 AM

7h 15m

10 AM

7h 0m

12 PM

6h 57m

3 PM

7h 1m

5 PM

7h 14m

8 PM

6h 45m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Redwood City, CA

Stephen Leonardi

Los Angeles, CA

Stephen Leonardi

Trip Overview

Traveling from Redwood City to Los Angeles covers 361.5 miles and typically takes about 6 hours and 51 minutes of driving time. This straightforward journey is designed as a one-day trip, making it an efficient way to transit between these two major Pacific Coast hubs. You can expect to spend roughly $49 on fuel, keeping your travel costs predictable. Because the route relies heavily on major thoroughfares like the Westside Freeway and the Bayshore Freeway, it functions best as a direct transit rather than a leisurely sightseeing tour. If you prefer a quick arrival over a scenic crawl, this highway-focused path is your most practical option.

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

180.8 miles from Redwood City, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 28m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a high-speed, interstate-heavy experience, as 88% of this drive is spent on major highways. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the Westside Freeway, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip at 181.1 miles. The road maintains a consistent, efficient pace that favors direct travel over technical maneuvers or local winding roads. While the landscape transitions through the central interior of the state, the personality of the drive remains focused on steady progress. You will find that the road demands less navigation and more focus on maintaining a constant, highway-speed rhythm.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Westside Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 181.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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 11.2 miles in near US 101 / Bayshore Freeway.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 361.5 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 11.2 miles (US 101 / Bayshore Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 338.8 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 344.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

11.2 mi into trip | ~15m in | US 101 / Bayshore Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto US 101 / Bayshore Freeway toward US 101 South: San Jose, Los Angeles

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 101 South: San Jose, Los Angeles

338.8 mi into trip | ~6h 22m 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

344.3 mi into trip | ~6h 28m 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

361 mi into trip | ~6h 50m 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

361.2 mi into trip | ~6h 50m in | North Spring Street

Turn right onto North Spring Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Westside Freeway	181.1 mi	3h 14m
I 5 Truck	63.9 mi	1h 13m
Bayshore Freeway	51.6 mi	59m
Pacheco Pass Highway	40.6 mi	50m
Hollywood Freeway	16.2 mi	20m
Golden State Freeway	4.1 mi	4m
Veterans Boulevard	1 mi	1m
Brewster Avenue	0.5 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Westside Freeway — 181.1 mi, about 3h 14m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Redwood City, CA and Los Angeles, CA.

Start on this road

477 ft · 26 sec · this road

Turn right onto Broadway

315 ft · 15 sec · Broadway

Turn sharp left onto Arch Street

206 ft · 13 sec · Arch Street

Turn right onto Brewster Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Brewster Avenue

Use the none lane.

Turn right onto Veterans Boulevard

1.0 mi · 1 min · Veterans Boulevard

Use the right lane.

Continue on this road

359 ft · 8 sec · this road

Toward US 101 South, CA 84 East: San Jose Use the left / straight lanes.

Continue on CA 84

0.4 mi · 50 sec · CA 84

Use the straight lane.

Merge onto US 101; CA 84

9.1 mi · 10 min · Bayshore Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 101

42 mi · 48 min · Bayshore Freeway

Toward US 101 South: San Jose, Los Angeles Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto CA 152

0.3 mi · 39 sec · CA 152

Toward CA 152 East: 10th Street, Pacheco Pass Road

Turn left onto CA 152

353 ft · 12 sec · East 10th Street

Continue on CA 152

41 mi · 50 min · Pacheco Pass Highway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 5: Los Angeles

Merge onto I 5

181 mi · 3 hr 14 min · Westside Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck

58 mi · 1 hr 6 min · I 5 Truck

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

4.1 mi · 4 min · Golden State Freeway

Use the none lane.

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.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck

5.3 mi · 6 min · I 5 Truck

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 32 sec

Exit 153B Toward CA 170 South: Hollywood Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on CA 170

16 mi · 20 min · Hollywood Freeway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 17 sec

Exit 2C Toward Broadway Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on West Aliso Street

409 ft · 18 sec · West Aliso Street

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto North Spring Street

0.3 mi · 35 sec · North Spring Street

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto West 1st Street

354 ft · 12 sec · West 1st Street

Use the left lane.

Arrive at destination

West 1st Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 6-hour and 51-minute transit, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid mid-day congestion on the busier stretches of the I-5 Truck route. Since the drive is quite long, monitor your fuel levels before hitting the 181.1-mile stretch on the Westside Freeway to ensure you aren't caught in a remote area with low gas. Keep a flexible mindset regarding your arrival time, as traffic patterns near Los Angeles can shift the total duration significantly. Use the $49 fuel estimate as a baseline, but consider keeping a small buffer in your budget for potential price variations along the interstate.

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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 180.8 miles from Redwood City, CA, or about 3h 28m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 181.1 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 37m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 180.8 miles or 3h 28m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 39m

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 Redwood City, 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 Redwood City, CA

This is one driving day of about 361.5 miles and 6h 51m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Redwood City, 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 Westside Freeway for about 181.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 180.8 mi from Redwood City, CA · 3h 28m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Fresno, CA

181 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.

Popular next leg

Fresno, CA to Los Angeles, CA

218.7 mi · 4h 7m

Pacing Suggestions

Salinas, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Fresno, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 180.8 miles from Redwood City, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 181.1 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

$83.71 one way

$167.43 round trip

$5.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 127 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$6.07	$86.33	$172.67
premium	$6.24	$88.85	$177.70
diesel	$5.64	$80.31	$160.63

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$84

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$109–$134

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 126.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	108.5	1	$37.96	$17.35
Efficient EV	90.4	1	$31.63	$14.46
EV Truck/SUV	144.6	1	$50.61	$23.14

Gas CO2

126 kg

EV CO2

42 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Redwood City, CA

Afternoon in Redwood City on Sunday

Local time

4:23 PM

PDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Los Angeles, CA

Afternoon in Los Angeles on Sunday

Local time

4:23 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

27 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

6h 51m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Redwood City, CA to Los Angeles, CA covers 361.5 miles and takes about 6h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, Bayshore Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 180.8 miles from Redwood City, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $83.71 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

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.

The route from Redwood City, CA to Los Angeles, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Trip from Redwood City, CA to Los Angeles, CA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Los Angeles, CA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Redwood City, CA

Los Angeles, CA

Same local time

27 degrees warmer at arrival

6h 51m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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