Origin
Weldon, CA
Night in Weldon on Friday
Local time
9:03 PM
PDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Weldon, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 23m
Distance
167.3 mi
269 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 11m
★
6 AM
3h 24m
8 AM
3h 48m
10 AM
3h 32m
12 PM
3h 30m
3 PM
3h 33m
5 PM
3h 47m
8 PM
3h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Weldon, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Traveling from the quiet landscape of Weldon to the bustle of Los Angeles covers 167.3 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 23 minutes. Since this is a relatively straightforward journey, you can easily complete it in one day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $39 on fuel for the trip, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. You will navigate through the Pacific Coast region, transitioning from the more remote areas near Weldon into the dense urban environment of Los Angeles. Planning for a single stop is recommended to keep your energy up before hitting the final stretch of your commute. Overall, this route offers a functional connection between the peaceful high desert foothills and the heart of Southern California.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
83.6 miles from Weldon, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .
About the Cities
Arriving in Los Angeles, CA
Full guide →Frank Lloyd Wright is said to have quipped, "Tip the world over on its side and everything loose will land in Los Angeles," a quote that has since been repeated both by those who love and hate L.A. The "City of Angels" is home to people who hail from all parts of the globe and an important center of culture, business, media, and international trade. However, it's most famous for being a major center of the world's television, motion picture, and music industry, which forms the base of the city's status and lures visitors for its show business history and celebrity culture. Visitors are also drawn to Los Angeles for its Mediterranean climate and numerous beaches, which gave birth to California's famed surf culture.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 23m. Total distance: 167.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
This 167.3-mile route offers a mixed driving profile, balancing local roads with major thoroughfares. You will spend 44% of your time on highways, utilizing Isabella Walker Pass Road, the Aerospace Highway, and the Antelope Valley Freeway. The longest uninterrupted portion of the trip occurs on the Antelope Valley Freeway, which spans 49.1 miles. You should be prepared for a shift in pace as you transition from smaller, winding roads to the high-speed flow of California’s freeway system. It is a drive that demands consistent attention, moving from the steady, open stretches of the northern leg into the more complex, high-traffic patterns found as you approach the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Antelope Valley Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 49.1 miles.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,642 ft
285 ft
Total Climb
3,199 ft
Total Descent
5,571 ft
Highest Point
4,642 ft
~23.9 mi in
Elevation Range
4,358 ft
Notable High Points
4,642 ft at ~23.9 miles
+1,516 ft prominence
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 144.5 miles in near I 5 Truck.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 167.3 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 144.5 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 150.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 166.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
144.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 54m 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
150.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 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
166.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 22m 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
166.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 22m in
|
North Spring Street
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
167.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 23m in
|
West 1st Street
Turn left onto West 1st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Antelope Valley Freeway | 49.1 mi | 54m |
| Aerospace Highway | 35.7 mi | 39m |
| Isabella Walker Pass Road | 30.3 mi | 44m |
| Midland Trail | 21.4 mi | 24m |
| Hollywood Freeway | 16.2 mi | 20m |
| I 5 Truck | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| Sierra Highway | 4.7 mi | 6m |
| Golden State Freeway | 2.6 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Antelope Valley Freeway
— 49.1 mi, about 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Weldon, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on CA 178
30 mi
·
44 min
·
Isabella Walker Pass Road
2
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
3
Merge onto CA 14; US 6 Hist
21 mi
·
24 min
·
Midland Trail
4
Continue on CA 14; US 6 Hist
20 mi
·
23 min
·
Aerospace Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
At end of road, turn left onto CA 14; CA 58 BUS; US 6 Hist
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Sierra Highway
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on CA 14
16 mi
·
16 min
·
Aerospace Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on CA 14; CA 138
48 mi
·
53 min
·
Antelope Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 14
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Antelope Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 5
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 153B
Toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on CA 170
16 mi
·
20 min
·
Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 2C
Toward Broadway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on West Aliso Street
409 ft
·
18 sec
·
West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn right onto North Spring Street
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
18
Turn left onto West 1st Street
354 ft
·
12 sec
·
West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
19
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour and 23-minute transit, try to avoid peak traffic hours when approaching Los Angeles, as road conditions can change rapidly. Since you only have one recommended stop, choose a location that allows you to refuel and stretch your legs comfortably before tackling the 49.1-mile stretch on the Antelope Valley Freeway. Keep your $39 fuel budget in mind, as gas prices can fluctuate significantly between rural Weldon and the city. Because the trip is short enough to handle in a single day, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. Always double-check your route on Isabella Walker Pass Road before leaving, as road conditions in that area can be subject to localized weather or maintenance updates.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 83.6 miles from Weldon, CA, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.1 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 37 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.6 miles or 1h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 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 Weldon, 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 Weldon, CA
This is one driving day of about 167.3 miles and 3h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Weldon, 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 Antelope Valley Freeway for about 49.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.6 mi from Weldon, CA · 1h 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 83.6 miles from Weldon, 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
$38.45 one way
$76.91 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $39.63 | $79.25 |
| premium | $6.18 | $40.69 | $81.37 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.94 | $73.88 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.2 | 0 | $17.57 | $8.03 |
| Efficient EV | 41.8 | 0 | $14.64 | $6.69 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.9 | 0 | $23.42 | $10.71 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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
Night in Los Angeles on Friday
Local time
9:03 PM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph
13% chance
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
14 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 23m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Weldon, CA to Los Angeles, CA covers 167.3 miles and takes about 3h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Antelope Valley Freeway, Aerospace Highway, Isabella Walker Pass Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 83.6 miles from Weldon, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.45 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 167.3 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 144.5 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 150.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 166.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Weldon, CA to Los Angeles, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes. The route ranges from 285 ft to 4,642 ft elevation with about 3,199 ft of total climbing. There is 1 notable high point along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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