This 392.9-mile drive from San Anselmo, California, to Los Angeles, California, is designed as a single-day adventure, estimated to take around 7 hours and 20 minutes. You'll spend virtually all of your time on major highways, with a 99% highway share, making it a focused, efficient journey. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is about $90. Given the duration and highway-focused profile, it's well-suited for a day trip, allowing you to reach your Pacific Coast destination without needing an overnight stop. This route connects two points within the Pacific Coast region, offering a straightforward passage down the California coast.
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
196.5 miles from San Anselmo, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 40m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 20m. Total distance: 392.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 20m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for almost the entirety of this 392.9-mile journey, with a 99% highway share. The primary roads you'll be on include the Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, and Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway, indicating a predominantly interstate experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 224.4 miles along the Westside Freeway. This means you'll be in a consistent driving mode for extended periods, making it less about varied scenery and more about covering distance efficiently.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 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 224.4 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 2.4 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 23 significant decision points across 392.9 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 2.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3 miles (I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.4 miles (I 580 / Interstate Highway 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
2.4 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the ramp toward US 101 South: San Francisco, Oakland
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward US 101 South: San Francisco, Oakland
9
3 mi into trip|~5m in|I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway toward I 580: Richmond Bridge, Oakland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 451B
Toward I 580: Richmond Bridge, Oakland
8
20.4 mi into trip|~27m in|I 580 / Interstate Highway 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580 / Interstate Highway 80 toward I 580 East, I 880 South: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton, Alameda, San Jose
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 580 East, I 880 South: Downtown Oaklan...
8
20.6 mi into trip|~28m in|I 580 / MacArthur Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580 / MacArthur Freeway toward I 580: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 580: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockt...
8
370.2 mi into trip|~6h 51m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between San Anselmo, CA and Los Angeles, CA, road signs point toward Hayward, Stockton, Alameda and San Jose.
Hayward
20.4 mi in|~27m|via I 580
Stockton
20.4 mi in|~27m|via I 580
Alameda
20.4 mi in|~27m|via I 580
San Jose
20.4 mi in|~27m|via I 580
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
224.4 mi
4h
I 5 Truck
63.9 mi
1h 13m
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
29.3 mi
33m
William Elton Brown Freeway
17 mi
18m
MacArthur Freeway
16.4 mi
18m
Hollywood Freeway
16.2 mi
20m
John T. Knox Freeway
13.6 mi
17m
Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 224.4 mi, about 4h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Anselmo, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on this road
30 ft·4 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Sir Francis Drake Boulevard
0.1 mi·15 sec·Sir Francis Drake Boulevard
3
Turn right onto Red Hill Avenue
0.6 mi·57 sec·Red Hill Avenue
4
Continue on Fourth Street
0.5 mi·49 sec·Fourth Street
5
Keep slight left at fork onto Fourth Street
1.1 mi·2 min·Fourth Street
Use the left lane.
6
Turn right onto Hetherton Street
0.1 mi·17 sec·Hetherton Street
Use the right lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward US 101 South: San Francisco, OaklandUse the straight / left lanes.
8
Merge onto US 101
0.3 mi·28 sec·Redwood Highway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
14 mi·17 min·John T. Knox Freeway
Exit 451BToward I 580: Richmond Bridge, OaklandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 80; I 580
3.8 mi·4 min·Eastshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
0.3 mi·21 sec·Interstate Highway 80
Toward I 580 East, I 880 South: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton, Alameda, San JoseUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
16 mi·18 min·MacArthur Freeway
Toward I 580: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, StocktonUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 580
12 mi·13 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
18 mi·20 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
11 mi·11 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
5.9 mi·6 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
17
Merge onto I 5
224 mi·4 hr·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
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.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
5.3 mi·6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.5 mi·32 sec
Exit 153BToward CA 170 South: HollywoodUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on CA 170
16 mi·20 min·Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 2CToward BroadwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on West Aliso Street
409 ft·18 sec·West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
26
Turn right onto North Spring Street
0.3 mi·35 sec·North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
27
Turn left onto West 1st Street
354 ft·12 sec·West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
28
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour and 20-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from San Anselmo to avoid potential traffic as you approach Los Angeles. With only 2 planned stops, you can strategically place them to break up the 224.4-mile longest stretch. Keep a close eye on your fuel levels, especially during that long stretch, as it's easy to lose track on the highway. The $90 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to have a little extra buffer. Since this is a feasible day trip, you have flexibility, but sticking to the main roads ensures a predictable arrival time.
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 196.5 miles from San Anselmo, CA, or about 3h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 224.4 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 86 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 196.5 miles or 3h 40m 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 8m
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 Anselmo, 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 Anselmo, CA
This is one driving day of about 392.9 miles and 7h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 miles from San Anselmo, 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 224.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 196.5 mi from San Anselmo, CA
· 3h 40m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of American civilians on the WWII home front. Discover how diverse communities lived, worked, and interacted. Many faces, many stories, many truths...
Walk among old growth coast redwoods, cooling their roots in the fresh water of Redwood Creek and lifting their crowns to reach the sun and fog. Federally protected as a National Monument since 1908,...
Experience a park so rich it supports 19 distinct ecosystems with over 2,000 plant and animal species. Go for a hike, enjoy a vista, have a picnic or learn about the centuries of overlapping history f...
Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park celebrates America’s maritime heritage on the Pacific Coast. Our 50-acre park has grown around Aquatic Park Cove, a protected area...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 13.5
From its thunderous ocean breakers crashing against rocky headlands and expansive sand beaches to its open grasslands, brushy hillsides, and forested ridges, Point Reyes offers visitors over 1500 spec...
On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two s...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 13.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$90.31 one way
$180.61 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg138 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$93.06
$186.12
premium
$6.18
$95.55
$191.10
diesel
$5.61
$86.75
$173.49
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$90
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$115–$140
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 137.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
117.9
1
$41.25
$18.86
Efficient EV
98.2
1
$34.38
$15.72
EV Truck/SUV
157.2
1
$55.01
$25.15
Gas CO2
137 kg
EV CO2
46 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 17, 2026
Origin
San Anselmo, CA
Morning
in San Anselmo on Friday
Local time
9:40 AM
PDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Morning
in Los Angeles on Friday
Local time
9:40 AM
PDT
Current temp
52°F
Mostly Clear
E 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 8:09PM PDT until April 17 at 3:00AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 8:09PM PDT until April 17 at 3:00AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
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
14 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 20m 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 Anselmo, CA to Los Angeles, CA covers 392.9 miles and takes about 7h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, Arthur H. Breed Junior 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 196.5 miles from San Anselmo, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $90.31 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 23 significant decision points across 392.9 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 2.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3 miles (I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.4 miles (I 580 / Interstate Highway 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between San Anselmo, CA and Los Angeles, CA, road signs point toward Hayward, Stockton, Alameda and San Jose.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park, Muir Woods National Monument and Golden Gate National Recreation Area. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
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.
