Origin
Union City, CA
Afternoon in Union City on Sunday
Local time
1:38 PM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Union City, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Drive Time
6h 47m
Distance
362.3 mi
583 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$84
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 35m
★
6 AM
6h 47m
8 AM
7h 11m
10 AM
6h 55m
12 PM
6h 53m
3 PM
6h 56m
5 PM
7h 9m
8 PM
6h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Union City, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Traveling from Union City to Los Angeles covers 362.3 miles, typically taking about 6 hours and 47 minutes of pure driving time. Because this is a high-speed, highway-focused journey, you can easily complete the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $49 on fuel to navigate the route, which connects two major Pacific Coast hubs. While the drive is straightforward, it is best viewed as a functional transit between the Bay Area and Southern California rather than a leisure tour. Planning for one scheduled stop will help keep you fresh behind the wheel throughout the day.
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
181.1 miles from Union City, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 23m into the drive .
Drive Character
This route is defined by its efficiency, with 98% of the journey spent on major highways like the Westside Freeway and the Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway. You will spend the vast majority of your time on the interstate, including a significant 224.4-mile stretch along the Westside Freeway. Because it is so heavily highway-focused, the driving experience is consistent and fast-paced rather than technical or winding. Prepare for a steady, focused drive that prioritizes speed and directness over scenic detours. It is an ideal path for those looking to reach their destination with minimal navigation hurdles.
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 3.4 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 362.3 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 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 339.5 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
3.4 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 880 North, CA 92 East: Oakland, Downtown Hayward
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Exit 26B
Toward I 880 North, CA 92 East: Oakland, Downto...
8
3.6 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CA 92 East: Downtown Hayward
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 92 East: Downtown Hayward
8
339.5 mi into trip
|
~6h 17m 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
345.1 mi into trip
|
~6h 24m 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
361.7 mi into trip
|
~6h 45m 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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 224.4 mi | 4h |
| I 5 Truck | 63.9 mi | 1h 13m |
| Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway | 28.2 mi | 32m |
| William Elton Brown Freeway | 17 mi | 18m |
| Hollywood Freeway | 16.2 mi | 20m |
| Golden State Freeway | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| Hesperian Boulevard | 2 mi | 4m |
| West Jackson Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 224.4 mi, about 4h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Union City, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on Cambridge Way
193 ft
·
10 sec
·
Cambridge Way
2
Turn left onto Union City Boulevard
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Union City Boulevard
Use the none lane.
3
Continue on Hesperian Boulevard
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Hesperian Boulevard
Use the none lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
Toward CA 92 East, I 880: Hayward
Use the right lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 26B
Toward I 880 North, CA 92 East: Oakland, Downtown Hayward
Use the none lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward CA 92 East: Downtown Hayward
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto CA 92
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Jackson Street
8
Continue on CA 92
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
West Jackson Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on Foothill Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Foothill Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn right onto A Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
A Street
Use the right lane.
11
Continue on Redwood Road
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
Redwood Road
Use the none lane.
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 580 East: Stockton
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 580
10 mi
·
11 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the none lane.
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 none / 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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the none lane.
20
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.
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 153B
Toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on CA 170
16 mi
·
20 min
·
Hollywood Freeway
Use the none lane.
24
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 2C
Toward Broadway
Use 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 your 6-hour and 47-minute drive, consider departing early in the morning to beat potential traffic congestion near both urban centers. Since the route relies heavily on long stretches of interstate, pacing yourself with at least one deliberate stop is essential to maintain alertness. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the 224.4-mile trek on the Westside Freeway, as you will want to plan your refueling stop before reaching the final approach into Los Angeles. Because the drive is manageable in one day, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal preference for morning or afternoon travel.
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 181.1 miles from Union City, CA, or about 3h 23m 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 80 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 181.1 miles or 3h 23m 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 35m
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 Union City, 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 Union City, CA
This is one driving day of about 362.3 miles and 6h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Union City, 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 181.1 mi from Union City, CA · 3h 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
181 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 181.1 miles from Union City, 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 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$83.90 one way
$167.80 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
127 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $86.52 | $173.05 |
| premium | $6.24 | $89.05 | $178.10 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $80.49 | $160.98 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$84
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$109–$134
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 126.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 108.7 | 1 | $38.04 | $17.39 |
| Efficient EV | 90.6 | 1 | $31.70 | $14.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 144.9 | 1 | $50.72 | $23.19 |
Gas CO2
127 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.
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Afternoon in Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
1:38 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.
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
26 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 47m 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 Union City, CA to Los Angeles, CA covers 362.3 miles and takes about 6h 47m 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 181.1 miles from Union City, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $83.90 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 21 significant decision points across 362.3 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 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 339.5 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Union City, CA to Los Angeles, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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