Origin
Washington, DC
Afternoon in Washington on Sunday
Local time
3:24 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Washington, DC to Los Angeles, CA
Drive Time
46h 54m
Distance
2672.4 mi
4,301 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
4-day trip
Fuel Cost
$442
one way
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Crossing the country from Washington, DC to Los Angeles is a serious undertaking spanning 2,672.4 miles. You should plan for approximately 46 hours and 54 minutes of pure driving time, making this a journey that requires a multi-day commitment. We recommend carving out at least 4 days to complete this trek safely, as attempting it in one go is not feasible. Expect to budget around $430 for fuel, though prices can fluctuate based on current market rates. Transitioning from the Northeast to the Pacific Coast, you will traverse a massive cross-section of the United States. This is a true long-distance endurance drive, so ensure your vehicle is prepped for a significant haul across varying climates.
Trip Pace
Best split across 4 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
13 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
1336.2 miles from Washington, DC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 23h 55m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a heavy emphasis on interstate travel, with 60% of your journey taking place on major highways. You will spend a substantial amount of time on I-40 and I-81, alongside the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. The latter presents the most significant challenge, featuring a massive, uninterrupted stretch of 1,043.3 miles. While the route offers the efficiency of high-speed transit, be prepared for the repetitive nature of long-distance interstate driving. As you move westward, the landscape evolves from the familiar density of the East to the expansive horizons typical of the journey toward the Pacific.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 63 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 1043.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
At 46h 54m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 76.8 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 48 significant decision points across 2672.4 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 76.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 661.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 663.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 48 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
76.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 81 South: Roanoke
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Exit 1A
Toward I 81 South: Roanoke
9
661.1 mi into trip
|
~12h 7m in
|
I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 213B
Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
8
663.3 mi into trip
|
~12h 11m in
|
I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
8
863.6 mi into trip
|
~15h 49m in
|
I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Little Rock
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 10B
Toward I 40 West: Little Rock
9
1341.7 mi into trip
|
~24h 1m in
|
I 40; US 270 / Crosstown Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 270 / Crosstown Expressway toward I 235 North, US 77 North, I 40 West, US 270 West: Oklahoma Health Center, State Capitol, Edmond, Amarillo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Exit 126
Toward I 235 North, US 77 North, I 40 West, US...
Towns Along This Route
Between Washington, DC and Los Angeles, CA, road signs point toward Nashville, Memphis, Louisville, Little Rock, State Capitol and Edmond - among others.
Nashville
506.3 mi in
|
~9h 21m
|
via I 40
Memphis
663.3 mi in
|
~12h 11m
|
via I 40
Louisville
664.4 mi in
|
~12h 12m
|
via I 40
Little Rock
863.5 mi in
|
~15h 49m
|
via I 40
State Capitol
1341.7 mi in
|
~24h 1m
|
via I 40; US 270
Edmond
1341.7 mi in
|
~24h 1m
|
via I 40; US 270
Amarillo
1341.7 mi in
|
~24h 1m
|
via I 40; US 270
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 1043.3 mi | 17h 39m |
| I 40 | 872.1 mi | 15h 20m |
| I 81 | 374.7 mi | 6h 47m |
| Needles Freeway | 155.1 mi | 2h 46m |
| Custis Memorial Parkway | 74.4 mi | 1h 26m |
| Barstow and Mojave Freeway | 52 mi | 55m |
| San Bernardino Freeway | 32.9 mi | 37m |
| I 15 | 14.8 mi | 16m |
Longest stretch:
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
— 1043.3 mi, about 17h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Washington, DC and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on 15th Street Northwest
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
15th Street Northwest
2
Turn right onto US 50
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Constitution Avenue Northwest
Use the right lane.
3
Turn right onto 17th Street Northwest
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
17th Street Northwest
4
Turn left onto New York Avenue Northwest
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
New York Avenue Northwest
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Continue on E Street Northwest
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
E Street Northwest
6
Continue on E Street Expressway
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
·
E Street Expressway
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 66 West: Virginia
Use the none lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 66 West
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 66
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Bridge
Toward I 66 West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 66
7.3 mi
·
10 min
·
Custis Memorial Parkway
Use the none lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 66
67 mi
·
1 hr 16 min
·
Custis Memorial Parkway
Use the none lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 1A
Toward I 81 South: Roanoke
Use the straight lane.
13
Merge onto I 81
109 mi
·
1 hr 58 min
·
I 81
Toward I 81 South: Roanoke
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
117 mi
·
2 hr 9 min
·
I 81
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on I 77; I 81; US 52
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
I 77; I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 52
148 mi
·
2 hr 38 min
·
I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on I 81
0.7 mi
·
45 sec
·
I 81
Exit 1B
Toward I 40 West: Knoxville
18
Merge onto I 40
53 mi
·
59 min
·
I 40
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
155 mi
·
2 hr 46 min
·
I 40
Toward Nashville
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
I 40
Exit 213B
Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
I 40
Toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
Use the slight left lane.
22
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
Downtown Loop
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 40
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Downtown Loop
Exit 210A
Toward I 40 West, I 65 North: Memphis, Louisville
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
197 mi
·
3 hr 33 min
·
I 40
Toward I 40 West: Memphis
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit onto I 40
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
I 40
Exit 10A-B
Toward I 240 West, I 40 West: Jackson Mississippi, Little Rock
26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
11 mi
·
13 min
·
I 40
Exit 10B
Toward I 40 West: Little Rock
Use the slight right lane.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
454 mi
·
7 hr 43 min
·
I 40
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40; US 270
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Tinker Diagonal
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on I 35; I 40; US 62; US 270
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Crosstown Expressway
30
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 270
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Crosstown Expressway
Exit 126
Toward I 235 North, US 77 North, I 40 West, US 270 West: Oklahoma Health Center, State Capitol, Edmond, Amarillo
Use the straight lane.
31
Continue on I 40; US 270
65 mi
·
1 hr 7 min
·
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Toward I 40 West, US 270 West: Amarillo
Use the straight lane.
32
Continue on I 40
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Senator Ed Berrong Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Continue on I 40
24 mi
·
25 min
·
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Continue on I 40
11 mi
·
10 min
·
Great Western Cattle Trail
Use the straight lane.
35
Continue on I 40
954 mi
·
16 hr 6 min
·
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Continue on I 40; US 66 Hist
155 mi
·
2 hr 46 min
·
Needles Freeway
37
Merge onto I 15
46 mi
·
48 min
·
Barstow and Mojave Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
38
Continue on I 15; US 66 Hist; US 91 Hist; US 395 Hist
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
CHP Officer Larry L. Wetterling and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Lieutenant Alfred E. Stewart Memorial Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
39
Continue on I 15; US 66 Hist
6.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Barstow and Mojave Freeway
Use the none lane.
40
Take the exit onto I 15
15 mi
·
16 min
·
I 15
Use the none lane.
41
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 109A
Toward I 10 West: Los Angeles
Use the slight right lane.
42
Merge onto I 10
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
43
Take the exit
204 ft
·
5 sec
Use the slight left lane.
44
Merge onto I 10 EXPR
7.3 mi
·
7 min
·
I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
45
Merge onto I 10
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
46
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
47
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
48
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
49
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
50
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
51
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
52
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
53
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
54
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
56
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
57
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
12 mi
·
14 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
58
Merge onto US 101
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
59
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 2B
Toward Alameda Street, Union Station
Use the slight right lane.
60
Continue on I 10 EXPR
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
East Arcadia Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
61
Turn left onto North Los Angeles Street
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
North Los Angeles Street
Use the none lane.
62
Turn right onto East 1st Street
461 ft
·
17 sec
·
East 1st Street
Use the none lane.
63
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
To handle this 13-stop trek effectively, pace yourself by breaking the trip into manageable daily segments rather than pushing through exhaustion. Leaving early in the morning helps you clear traffic near the DC departure point before settling into your cruise. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially when navigating the longest, 1,043-mile stretch on the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, where service stations may be spaced further apart. Since you have 13 planned stops, use them to stretch and rotate drivers to stay alert. Prioritizing consistent, short breaks will make the 4-day timeline much more comfortable as you approach the West Coast.
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 4-day trip.
Plan roughly 13 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 1336.2 miles from Washington, DC, or about 23h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 1043.3 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 220 miles or 4h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 1336.2 miles or 23h 55m 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 668.1 miles or 12h 17m
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 45h 45m
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 Washington, DC 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 4-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Washington, DC
Aim for roughly 668 miles and 11.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Keep the middle miles efficient
Aim for roughly 668 miles and 11.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 3
Keep the middle miles efficient
Aim for roughly 668 miles and 11.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 4
Finish the approach into Los Angeles, CA
Aim for roughly 668 miles and 11.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 220 miles from Washington, DC.
This route usually feels better as a 4-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 13 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway for about 1043.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 1336.2 mi from Washington, DC · 23h 55m into the drive
Early stop town
Coffee and fuel
668 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.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
1336 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 Texarkana, TX
Late stop town
Final reset
2004 mi into the route
Best for: Food, fuel, and one last short break
This is a smart final reset before the arrival run into Los Angeles, CA.
Overnight Options
Night 1
668 mi · about 11.7h in
A practical overnight split lands near Johnson City, TN after about 668 miles or 11.7 hours of driving.
Find hotelsNight 2
1336 mi · about 23.5h in
A practical overnight split lands near Texarkana, TX after about 1336 miles or 23.5 hours of driving.
Find hotelsNight 3
2004 mi · about 35.2h in
A practical overnight split lands near Edgewood, NM after about 2004 miles or 35.2 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 220 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 1336.2 miles from Washington, DC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 1043.3 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 668 miles or 11.7 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
$442.21 one way
$884.42 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
935 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $483.87 | $967.75 |
| premium | $4.92 | $517.86 | $1,035.71 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $593.71 | $1,187.43 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$442
Hotel (3n)
$240–$420
Meals
$100–$200
Total
$782–$1,062
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 935 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $281 in charging · 9 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 801.7 | 9 | $280.60 | $128.28 |
| Efficient EV | 668.1 | 7 | $233.83 | $106.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 1069 | 13 | $374.14 | $171.03 |
Gas CO2
935 kg
EV CO2
313 kg (67% less)
This is a long EV road trip requiring 9 charging stops. Plan your route around charger locations and allow extra time for charging.
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
12:24 PM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
39°F
Edgewood, NM
2004 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.
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
3 hours earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
9 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
46h 54m 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 Washington, DC to Los Angeles, CA covers 2672.4 miles and takes about 46h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, I 40, I 81. 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 4-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 668 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 1336.2 miles from Washington, DC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $442.21 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 13 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 48 significant decision points across 2672.4 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 76.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 661.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 663.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Washington, DC and Los Angeles, CA, road signs point toward Nashville, Memphis, Louisville, Little Rock, State Capitol and Edmond - among others.
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