Origin
Santa Clarita, CA
Afternoon in Santa Clarita on Sunday
Local time
12:29 PM
PDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Santa Clarita, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Drive Time
43m
Distance
31.8 mi
51 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
Santa Clarita, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Driving from Santa Clarita to Los Angeles is a straightforward 31.8-mile journey that typically takes about 43 minutes. Because both cities are located within the Pacific Coast region of California, you will remain in a familiar climate as you transition from the suburbs to the city core. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, as it is short enough to handle in an afternoon without needing an overnight stay. With fuel costs estimated at $4, it is an economical commute or quick getaway. You will primarily utilize the I-5 Truck route and the Golden State Freeway to reach your destination. It is a highly practical connection between these two areas, offering a direct path for those looking to reach the heart of Los Angeles efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
15.9 miles from Santa Clarita, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 22m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a high-speed, highway-focused experience, as 84 percent of this route consists of freeway driving. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the Hollywood Freeway, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip at 16.2 miles. The road maintains a consistent pace, moving you quickly through the Pacific Coast landscape without the need for technical maneuvering or local road navigation. While the drive is efficient, the heavy reliance on major thoroughfares like the Golden State Freeway means you should be prepared for the typical rhythm of a high-traffic interstate environment. It is a utilitarian drive designed to get you from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Hollywood Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 16.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Hollywood 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 9 miles in near I 5 Truck.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 31.8 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 9 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
9 mi into trip
|
~14m 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
14.6 mi into trip
|
~20m 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
31.2 mi into trip
|
~42m 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
31.4 mi into trip
|
~42m in
|
North Spring Street
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
31.7 mi into trip
|
~43m in
|
West 1st Street
Turn left onto West 1st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Hollywood Freeway | 16.2 mi | 20m |
| I 5 Truck | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| Golden State Freeway | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Antelope Valley Freeway | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Newhall Avenue | 2 mi | 4m |
| Orchard Village Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Lyons Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| 16th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Hollywood Freeway
— 16.2 mi, about 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Clarita, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on Newhall Avenue
451 ft
·
21 sec
·
Newhall Avenue
2
Turn right onto 16th Street
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
16th Street
3
Turn left onto Orchard Village Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Orchard Village Road
Use the none lane.
4
Turn left onto Lyons Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Lyons Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto Newhall Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Newhall Avenue
Use the none lane.
6
Enter roundabout onto Newhall Avenue
73 ft
·
2 sec
·
Newhall Avenue
7
Continue on Newhall Avenue
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Newhall Avenue
Use the none lane.
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 2
Toward CA 14 South: Los Angeles
9
Merge onto CA 14
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Antelope Valley Freeway
10
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 14
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Antelope Valley Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 5
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the none lane.
13
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.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 153B
Toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on CA 170
16 mi
·
20 min
·
Hollywood Freeway
Use the none lane.
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 2C
Toward Broadway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on West Aliso Street
409 ft
·
18 sec
·
West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn right onto North Spring Street
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
20
Turn left onto West 1st Street
354 ft
·
12 sec
·
West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
21
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 43-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You will not need to plan for any scheduled stops, as the entire 31.8-mile distance is easily manageable in one go. Keep in mind that your fuel budget is quite low at $4, making this an inexpensive trip to execute on short notice. To ensure the smoothest transit, check traffic reports before heading out on the Hollywood Freeway, as the high highway percentage means any congestion will have a direct impact on your travel time. Focus on maintaining a steady speed once you merge onto the Golden State Freeway to make the most of the direct, highway-centric layout.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 15.9 miles from Santa Clarita, CA, or about 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 16.2 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 31.8 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 15.9 miles or 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 36m
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 Santa Clarita, 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 Santa Clarita, CA
This is one driving day of about 31.8 miles and 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Santa Clarita, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Hollywood Freeway for about 16.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 15.9 mi from Santa Clarita, CA · 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
16 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 31.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 15.9 miles from Santa Clarita, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.36 one way
$14.73 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
11 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $7.59 | $15.19 |
| premium | $6.24 | $7.82 | $15.63 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.06 | $14.13 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.5 | 0 | $3.34 | $1.53 |
| Efficient EV | 8 | 0 | $2.78 | $1.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.7 | 0 | $4.45 | $2.04 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Afternoon in Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
12:29 PM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
44°F
Burbank, CA
16 mi in
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
1 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
43m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Santa Clarita, CA to Los Angeles, CA covers 31.8 miles and takes about 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Hollywood Freeway, I 5 Truck, Golden State 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 15.9 miles from Santa Clarita, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.36 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 31.8 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 9 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Santa Clarita, CA to Los Angeles, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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