The drive from West Hollywood, CA to Santa Clarita, CA covers 28.8 miles and takes about 40m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Hollywood Freeway, Golden State Freeway, I 5 Truck for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 9.1 miles on Hollywood Freeway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $6.67 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
14.4 miles from West Hollywood, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 21m into the drive
.
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 40m highway drive covering 28.8 miles, with most of the trip on Hollywood Freeway and Golden State Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 9.1 miles on Hollywood Freeway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 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 9.1 miles.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,645 ft282 ft
Total Climb
1,521 ft
Total Descent
472 ft
Highest Point
1,645 ft
~22.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,363 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Hollywood Freeway and Golden State Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 66 Hist / Santa Monica Boulevard.
Route Complexity10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 28.8 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 0.2 miles (US 66 Hist / Santa Monica Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles (North Highland Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 20.3 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|US 66 Hist / Santa Monica Boulevard
Turn right onto US 66 Hist / Santa Monica Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
1.5 mi into trip|~3m in|North Highland Avenue
Turn left onto North Highland Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
9
20.3 mi into trip|~27m in|I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 161A
Toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
8
26.6 mi into trip|~35m in
Take the exit toward Lyons Avenue, Pico Canyon Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 167
Toward Lyons Avenue, Pico Canyon Road
7
26.8 mi into trip|~35m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Lyons Avenue, Newhall, William S. Hart Park, The Master's University
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Lyons Avenue, Newhall, William S. Hart P...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between West Hollywood, CA and Santa Clarita, CA, road signs point toward Ventura, Newhall, William S. Hart Park and The Master's University.
Ventura
3.3 mi in|~7m
Newhall
26.8 mi in|~35m
William S. Hart Park
26.8 mi in|~35m
The Master's University
26.8 mi in|~35m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Hollywood Freeway
9.1 mi
11m
Golden State Freeway
6.8 mi
7m
I 5 Truck
6.3 mi
7m
North Highland Avenue
1.6 mi
3m
Santa Monica Boulevard
1.3 mi
2m
Wiley Canyon Road
1.1 mi
2m
16th Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Lyons Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Hollywood Freeway
— 9.1 mi, about 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Hollywood, CA and Santa Clarita, CA.
1
Start on North Fairfax Avenue
446 ft·16 sec·North Fairfax Avenue
2
Continue on North Fairfax Avenue
0.1 mi·28 sec·North Fairfax Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto US 66 Hist
1.3 mi·2 min·Santa Monica Boulevard
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left onto North Highland Avenue
1.5 mi·3 min·North Highland Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on North Highland Avenue
421 ft·7 sec·North Highland Avenue
6
Continue on Cahuenga Boulevard West
0.1 mi·18 sec·Cahuenga Boulevard West
7
Turn right onto Pilgrimage Bridge
373 ft·17 sec·Pilgrimage Bridge
8
Turn left onto Cahuenga Boulevard East
117 ft·2 sec·Cahuenga Boulevard East
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward US 101 North: Hollywood Freeway, Ventura
10
Merge onto US 101
9.1 mi·11 min·Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·59 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 5
4.5 mi·5 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
2.2 mi·2 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
1.5 mi·1 min·I 5 Truck
Exit 161AToward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 TruckUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
4.8 mi·5 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 167Toward Lyons Avenue, Pico Canyon RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork
490 ft·11 sec
Toward Lyons Avenue, Newhall, William S. Hart Park, The Master's University
18
Turn straight onto Lyons Avenue
0.3 mi·36 sec·Lyons Avenue
19
Turn left onto Wiley Canyon Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Wiley Canyon Road
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto Orchard Village Road
0.2 mi·25 sec·Orchard Village Road
21
Turn left onto 16th Street
0.3 mi·46 sec·16th Street
22
Turn left onto Newhall Avenue
451 ft·19 sec·Newhall Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
Newhall Avenue
Trip Plan
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 14.4 miles from West Hollywood, CA, or about 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 9.1 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 28.8 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 14.4 miles or 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Santa Clarita, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving West Hollywood, 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 West Hollywood, CA
This is one driving day of about 28.8 miles and 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from West Hollywood, 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 9.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 14.4 mi from West Hollywood, CA
· 21m into the drive
The midpoint is around 14.4 miles from West Hollywood, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Santa Clarita, CA
The final approach into Santa Clarita, 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 Santa Clarita, CA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultura...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 24.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.67 one way
$13.34 round trip
$5.88/gal25.4 MPG avg10 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.07
$6.88
$13.76
premium
$6.24
$7.08
$14.16
diesel
$5.64
$6.40
$12.80
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: 10.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging
· 0 stops
· 70% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
8.6
0
$3.02
$1.38
Efficient EV
7.2
0
$2.52
$1.15
EV Truck/SUV
11.5
0
$4.03
$1.84
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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.
Forecast data refreshed 1 day ago
Origin
West Hollywood, CA
Late night
in West Hollywood on Wednesday
Local time
4:09 AM
PDT
Current temp
52°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Winter Weather Advisory
Winter Weather Advisory issued April 13 at 12:17AM PDT until April 13 at 7:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Winter Weather Advisory
Winter Weather Advisory issued April 13 at 12:17AM PDT until April 13 at 7:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Destination
Santa Clarita, CA
Late night
in Santa Clarita on Wednesday
Local time
4:09 AM
PDT
Current temp
43°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Winter Weather Advisory
Winter Weather Advisory issued April 13 at 12:17AM PDT until April 13 at 7:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Winter Weather Advisory
Winter Weather Advisory issued April 13 at 12:17AM PDT until April 13 at 7:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
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
9 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
40m 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 West Hollywood, CA to Santa Clarita, CA covers 28.8 miles and takes about 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Hollywood Freeway, Golden State Freeway, I 5 Truck. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 14.4 miles from West Hollywood, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.67 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 28.8 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 0.2 miles (US 66 Hist / Santa Monica Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles (North Highland Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 20.3 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between West Hollywood, CA and Santa Clarita, CA, road signs point toward Ventura, Newhall, William S. Hart Park and The Master's University.
