Origin
Shasta, CA
Afternoon in Shasta on Sunday
Local time
3:01 PM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Shasta, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Drive Time
10h 4m
Distance
549.6 mi
885 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$127
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
9h 56m
★
6 AM
10h 5m
8 AM
10h 23m
10 AM
10h 11m
12 PM
10h 9m
3 PM
10h 12m
5 PM
10h 22m
8 PM
9h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Traveling from Shasta to Los Angeles covers 549.6 miles of California terrain, typically requiring around 10 hours and 4 minutes of pure driving time. Because of the length, you should plan for a two-day trip to avoid fatigue, especially since the route is primarily interstate driving. You can expect to spend approximately $75 on fuel for this journey, so budget accordingly before heading out. This trek takes you from the Pacific Coast region of Northern California down into the sprawling Southern California area. While it is possible to push through in one long day, breaking the drive into two parts makes for a much more manageable and safer experience.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
274.8 miles from Shasta, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a high-speed transit experience, as 93% of this route consists of highway driving. You will spend the vast majority of your time on the Westside Freeway, which accounts for a significant 424.9-mile uninterrupted stretch. The journey begins with the Cascade Wonderland Highway before transitioning onto the massive I-5 corridor. Because the route is so highway-focused, the driving is consistent and efficient rather than technical or winding. You should prepare for a steady, long-distance grind that requires sustained focus throughout the day.
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.
Westside Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 424.9 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 7.2 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 549.6 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 7.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 526.8 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 532.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
7.2 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Take the exit toward I 5 South: Sacramento
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 2A
Toward I 5 South: Sacramento
8
526.8 mi into trip
|
~9h 35m 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
532.4 mi into trip
|
~9h 41m 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
549.1 mi into trip
|
~10h 3m 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
549.3 mi into trip
|
~10h 3m 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 | 424.9 mi | 7h 38m |
| I 5 Truck | 63.9 mi | 1h 13m |
| Cascade Wonderland Highway | 31.8 mi | 34m |
| Hollywood Freeway | 16.2 mi | 20m |
| Eureka Way | 5.4 mi | 6m |
| Golden State Freeway | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| Tehama Street | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| North Spring Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 424.9 mi, about 7h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shasta, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on CA 299
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Eureka Way
2
Turn right onto Court Street
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Court Street
3
Turn left onto Tehama Street
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Tehama Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 2A
Toward I 5 South: Sacramento
Use the slight right lane.
5
Merge onto I 5
32 mi
·
34 min
·
Cascade Wonderland Highway
6
Continue on I 5
93 mi
·
1 hr 39 min
·
Westside Freeway
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
16 mi
·
16 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
79 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi
·
48 sec
·
Westside Freeway
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
237 mi
·
4 hr 13 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi
·
4 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
To make the most of this 10-hour drive, try to depart early in the morning to beat congestion near your destination. Plan for at least two designated stops to stretch your legs and refresh, as the long stretches on the Westside Freeway can become monotonous. Given the total distance, splitting your travel over two days is the best way to maintain your energy. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 424.9-mile stretch on the interstate to ensure you don't run low between service stations. Flexibility is key on such a long haul, so don't hesitate to pull over if you feel your concentration slipping.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 274.8 miles from Shasta, CA, or about 5h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 424.9 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 121 miles or 2h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 274.8 miles or 5h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 274.8 miles or 5h
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 8h 52m
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 Shasta, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Shasta, CA
Aim for roughly 275 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Los Angeles, CA
Aim for roughly 275 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 121 miles from Shasta, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 424.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 274.8 mi from Shasta, CA · 5h into the drive
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
181 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
363 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Fresno, CAOvernight Options
Night 1
275 mi · about 5h in
A practical overnight split lands near Manteca, CA after about 275 miles or 5 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 121 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 274.8 miles from Shasta, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 424.9 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 275 miles or 5 hours on the road.
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.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Los Angeles, CA with some flexibility left in the schedule.
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
$127.27 one way
$254.55 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
192 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $131.25 | $262.51 |
| premium | $6.24 | $135.08 | $270.17 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $122.10 | $244.20 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$127
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$257–$367
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 192.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $58 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 164.9 | 2 | $57.71 | $26.38 |
| Efficient EV | 137.4 | 1 | $48.09 | $21.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 219.8 | 2 | $76.94 | $35.17 |
Gas CO2
192 kg
EV CO2
64 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
3:01 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
28 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
10h 4m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Shasta, CA to Los Angeles, CA covers 549.6 miles and takes about 10h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, Cascade Wonderland Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 275 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 274.8 miles from Shasta, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $127.27 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 17 significant decision points across 549.6 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 7.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 526.8 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 532.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Shasta, CA to Los Angeles, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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