This 360.8-mile drive from San Leandro, CA to Los Angeles, CA is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in a single day. Expect to spend about 6 hours and 40 minutes on the road, with a projected fuel cost of around $83. The route primarily utilizes major freeways, making it an efficient way to travel between these two points in the Pacific Coast region. With 99% of the drive on highways, it’s designed for covering distance quickly, and you'll encounter just one recommended stop. This makes it an ideal day trip for those looking to maximize their time on the road.
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
180.4 miles from San Leandro, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 18m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 40m. Total distance: 360.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 40m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
The character of this drive is predominantly highway-focused, with a 99% highway share, designed for efficient travel. You'll be navigating major freeways, including the Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck, for the vast majority of your journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 224.4 miles on the Westside Freeway, meaning extended periods of consistent driving. While not a scenic byway, this route prioritizes speed and directness, offering a consistent driving experience as you head south. Expect smooth, high-speed travel for most of the 6-hour-plus trip.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 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 338 miles in near I 5 Truck.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 360.8 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 338 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 343.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 360.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
338 mi into trip|~6h 11m 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
343.6 mi into trip|~6h 18m 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
360.2 mi into trip|~6h 39m 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
360.4 mi into trip|~6h 40m in|North Spring Street
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
360.7 mi into trip|~6h 40m in|West 1st Street
Turn left onto West 1st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
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
Hollywood Freeway
16.2 mi
20m
Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi
4m
MacArthur Freeway
2.2 mi
2m
East 14th Street
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 224.4 mi, about 4h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Leandro, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on West Estudillo Avenue
61 ft·5 sec·West Estudillo Avenue
2
Turn right onto CA 185
1.0 mi·1 min·East 14th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Turn slight left onto CA 185
1.0 mi·1 min·East 14th Street
4
Turn left onto 150th Avenue
0.4 mi·51 sec·150th Avenue
5
Turn right onto Freedom Avenue
0.1 mi·14 sec·Freedom Avenue
6
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·24 sec·this road
Toward I 580 East: HaywardUse the left / straight lanes.
7
Merge onto I 580
2.2 mi·2 min·MacArthur Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 580
12 mi·13 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
18 mi·20 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
11 mi·11 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
5.9 mi·6 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
12
Merge onto I 5
224 mi·4 hr·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
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.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
5.3 mi·6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi·32 sec
Exit 153BToward CA 170 South: HollywoodUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on CA 170
16 mi·20 min·Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 2CToward BroadwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on West Aliso Street
409 ft·18 sec·West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn right onto North Spring Street
0.3 mi·35 sec·North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
22
Turn left onto West 1st Street
354 ft·12 sec·West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
23
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 360.8-mile drive, consider an early morning departure from San Leandro to bypass potential traffic as you head south. With a total duration of 6 hours and 40 minutes and only one suggested stop, you have flexibility in pacing. The longest stretch is over 200 miles, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, keeping the $83 fuel cost in mind. A practical tip for this specific route: be aware of the various lane designations and truck routes, particularly when merging onto I 5 Truck, to ensure a smooth continuation of your journey towards Los Angeles.
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 180.4 miles from San Leandro, CA, or about 3h 18m 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 79 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 180.4 miles or 3h 18m 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 28m
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 Leandro, 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 San Leandro, CA
This is one driving day of about 360.8 miles and 6h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from San Leandro, 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 224.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 180.4 mi from San Leandro, CA
· 3h 18m into the drive
The midpoint is around 180.4 miles from San Leandro, 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 224.4 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
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...
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 335.9
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...
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...
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,...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$82.93 one way
$165.85 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg126 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$85.46
$170.91
premium
$6.18
$87.74
$175.49
diesel
$5.61
$79.66
$159.32
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$83
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$108–$133
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 126.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
108.2
1
$37.88
$17.32
Efficient EV
90.2
1
$31.57
$14.43
EV Truck/SUV
144.3
1
$50.51
$23.09
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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
San Leandro, CA
Late night
in San Leandro on Friday
Local time
4:35 AM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Late night
in Los Angeles on Friday
Local time
4:35 AM
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
5 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 40m 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 Leandro, CA to Los Angeles, CA covers 360.8 miles and takes about 6h 40m 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 180.4 miles from San Leandro, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $82.93 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 360.8 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 338 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 343.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 360.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from San Leandro, CA to Los Angeles, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
