San Andreas to Los Angeles is 356 miles and takes about 7 hours 9 minutes via CA 99 and the Golden State Freeway, with a fuel budget near $82 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive cuts through California's Central Valley, connecting the Sierra Nevada foothills to the sprawling Southern California coast. It's a practical route for getting from Point A to Point B efficiently, characterized by steady progress rather than dramatic scenery. With just two recommended stops, you can complete this journey in a single day if you get an early start.
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
178 miles from San Andreas, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 48m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 9m. Total distance: 356 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 9m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This trip is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 64% of the route utilizing major freeways like the Golden State Freeway and Highway 99. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 96.8 miles on CA 99, offering sustained momentum. While the majority is highway, expect a consistent driving experience as you navigate the main arteries connecting these two Californian locations. The character remains largely consistent, favoring efficiency over winding backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 31 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 96.8 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 243.6 miles in near CA 99 / Golden State Freeway.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 356 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 243.6 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 333.2 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 338.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
243.6 mi into trip|~4h 58m 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 straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 99 South: Los Angeles
8
333.2 mi into trip|~6h 39m 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
338.8 mi into trip|~6h 46m 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
355.5 mi into trip|~7h 7m 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
355.7 mi into trip|~7h 8m 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
96.8 mi
1h 47m
Golden State Freeway
94.8 mi
1h 47m
Golden State Highway
58.6 mi
1h 2m
La Grange Road
26.2 mi
38m
2nd Street
18 mi
27m
Hollywood Freeway
16.2 mi
20m
O'Byrnes Ferry Road
11.4 mi
15m
CA 4
10.8 mi
15m
Longest stretch:
CA 99
— 96.8 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Andreas, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on CA 49
11 mi·15 min·East Saint Charles Street
2
Turn right onto CA 4
6.4 mi·8 min·CA 4
Use the right lane.
3
Turn straight onto CA 4
4.4 mi·6 min·CA 4
4
Turn left onto E15
1.4 mi·3 min·Main Street
5
Continue on E15
11 mi·15 min·O'Byrnes Ferry Road
6
At end of road, turn right onto CA 108; CA 120
3.2 mi·4 min·CA 108; CA 120
7
Turn left onto J59
26 mi·38 min·La Grange Road
Use the left lane.
8
At end of road, turn right onto CA 59; J16
0.4 mi·37 sec·Merced Falls Road
9
Continue on CA 59; J16
387 ft·6 sec·La Grange Road
10
Continue on CA 59; J16
18 mi·27 min·2nd Street
11
Turn right
142 ft·5 sec
Toward CA 59 South
12
Turn right onto CA 59
0.2 mi·25 sec·V Street
13
Turn left onto CA 59; CA 140
0.4 mi·34 sec·West 13th Street
14
Take the ramp onto CA 140 East; CA 59
0.2 mi·30 sec·CA 140 East; CA 59
Toward CA 99 South
15
Merge onto CA 99; CA 59; CA 140
0.3 mi·22 sec·CA 99; CA 59; CA 140
16
Continue on CA 99; CA 140
55 mi·1 hr 2 min·CA 99; CA 140
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
41 mi·44 min·CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
59 mi·1 hr 2 min·Golden State Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on CA 99
5.2 mi·5 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
27 mi·30 min·Golden State Freeway
Toward CA 99 South: Los AngelesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
0.3 mi·17 sec·I 5 Truck
Exit 158Toward I 405 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
5.3 mi·6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.5 mi·32 sec
Exit 153BToward CA 170 South: HollywoodUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on CA 170
16 mi·20 min·Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 2CToward BroadwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on West Aliso Street
409 ft·18 sec·West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
29
Turn right onto North Spring Street
0.3 mi·35 sec·North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
30
Turn left onto West 1st Street
354 ft·12 sec·West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
31
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour duration, starting early from San Andreas is recommended to maximize daylight and allow for your two planned stops. Fuel costs are estimated at $82, so ensure your tank is full before departing or plan your refill strategically along CA 99, where you'll encounter the longest stretch without a break. The relatively short drive time means you have flexibility, but be mindful of potential traffic as you approach the Los Angeles area. Factor in an extra hour for potential congestion, especially during peak commute times.
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 178 miles from San Andreas, CA, or about 3h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96.8 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 78 miles or 1h 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 178 miles or 3h 48m 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 57m
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 San Andreas, 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 San Andreas, CA
This is one driving day of about 356 miles and 7h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from San Andreas, 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 CA 99 for about 96.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 178 mi from San Andreas, CA
· 3h 48m into the drive
The midpoint is around 178 miles from San Andreas, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before CA 99 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 96.8 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
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
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 359.6
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 279.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$81.82 one way
$163.65 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg125 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$84.32
$168.64
premium
$6.18
$86.58
$173.15
diesel
$5.61
$78.60
$157.20
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$82
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$107–$132
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 124.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
106.8
1
$37.38
$17.09
Efficient EV
89
1
$31.15
$14.24
EV Truck/SUV
142.4
1
$49.84
$22.78
Gas CO2
125 kg
EV CO2
42 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
San Andreas, CA
Afternoon
in San Andreas on Friday
Local time
1:44 PM
PDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Afternoon
in Los Angeles on Friday
Local time
1:44 PM
PDT
Current temp
54°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
9 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 9m 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 San Andreas, CA to Los Angeles, CA covers 356 miles and takes about 7h 9m 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 178 miles from San Andreas, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $81.82 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 2 meaningful breaks 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 22 significant decision points across 356 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 243.6 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 333.2 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 338.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from San Andreas, CA to Los Angeles, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and César E. Chávez National Monument.
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.
