Origin
Woodlake, CA
Morning in Woodlake on Thursday
Local time
7:07 AM
PDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Woodlake, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
6h 38m
Distance
354.9 mi
571 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$82
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 27m
★
6 AM
6h 39m
8 AM
7h 3m
10 AM
6h 47m
12 PM
6h 45m
3 PM
6h 48m
5 PM
7h 2m
8 PM
6h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Woodlake, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Spanning 354.9 miles between Woodlake and Los Angeles, this route is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that typically takes about 6 hours and 38 minutes to complete. Because the drive is dominated by major thoroughfares, you can comfortably tackle the entire trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $48 on fuel as you transition from the inland areas of California toward the urban sprawl of the Pacific Coast. While the drive is efficient, the significant distance means you should plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Overall, it serves as a practical, no-nonsense connection between these two California points.
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
177.5 miles from Woodlake, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 19m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 38m. Total distance: 354.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 38m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient transit, as 99% of this trip takes place on major highways. You will spend the vast majority of your time on the Westside Freeway, which accounts for your longest uninterrupted stretch of 250.2 miles. The journey shifts from the more open stretches of the Westside Freeway to the I-5 Truck route, eventually feeding into the Hollywood Freeway as you approach the Los Angeles metro area. Because this is a highway-focused drive, the experience is less about winding backroads and more about maintaining a steady pace through the state’s primary transit corridors. Be prepared for a consistent, high-speed environment that prioritizes speed and directness over scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 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 250.2 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 332.2 miles in near I 5 Truck.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 354.9 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 332.2 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 337.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 354.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
8
332.2 mi into trip
|
~6h 9m 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
337.7 mi into trip
|
~6h 15m 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
354.4 mi into trip
|
~6h 37m 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
354.6 mi into trip
|
~6h 38m in
|
North Spring Street
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
354.9 mi into trip
|
~6h 38m in
|
West 1st Street
Turn left onto West 1st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 250.2 mi | 4h 28m |
| I 5 Truck | 63.9 mi | 1h 13m |
| Hollywood Freeway | 16.2 mi | 20m |
| CA 99 | 13.4 mi | 15m |
| Golden State Freeway | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| Crosstown Freeway | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| Woodbridge Road | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| CA 4 | 1.1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 250.2 mi, about 4h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Woodlake, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on this road
0.1 mi
·
47 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left
0.5 mi
·
3 min
3
At end of road, turn left onto Woodbridge Road
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Woodbridge Road
4
Turn left onto 99 Frontage Road
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
99 Frontage Road
5
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
6
Merge onto CA 99
13 mi
·
15 min
·
CA 99
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward CA 4
8
Merge onto CA 4
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Crosstown Freeway
9
Take the exit onto CA 4
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
CA 4
Toward I 5: Sacramento
10
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 4
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
CA 4
Toward I 5 South
11
Merge onto I 5; CA 4
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Westside Freeway
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi
·
48 sec
·
Westside Freeway
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
237 mi
·
4 hr 13 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
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.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 153B
Toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on CA 170
16 mi
·
20 min
·
Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 2C
Toward Broadway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on West Aliso Street
409 ft
·
18 sec
·
West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn right onto North Spring Street
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
23
Turn left onto West 1st Street
354 ft
·
12 sec
·
West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
24
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 6-hour and 38-minute drive, try to depart early in the morning to avoid the heaviest traffic patterns near Los Angeles. Since the route relies heavily on the Westside Freeway for over 250 miles, ensure your vehicle is prepped for a long, sustained highway haul. You only have one planned stop in your itinerary, so use it wisely to break up the monotony of the interstate. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the longest stretches of the Westside Freeway, as service stations can be spaced out. Taking this drive in one day is entirely manageable, provided you remain mindful of the heavy highway volume you will encounter once you hit the Hollywood Freeway.
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 177.5 miles from Woodlake, CA, or about 3h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 250.2 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 78 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 177.5 miles or 3h 19m 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 26m
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 Woodlake, 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 Woodlake, CA
This is one driving day of about 354.9 miles and 6h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from Woodlake, 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 250.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 177.5 mi from Woodlake, CA · 3h 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
177 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 78 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 177.5 miles from Woodlake, 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 250.2 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
$81.57 one way
$163.14 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
124 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $84.06 | $168.12 |
| premium | $6.18 | $86.31 | $172.62 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $78.36 | $156.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$82
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$107–$132
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 124.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 106.5 | 1 | $37.26 | $17.04 |
| Efficient EV | 88.7 | 1 | $31.05 | $14.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 142 | 1 | $49.69 | $22.71 |
Gas CO2
124 kg
EV CO2
42 kg (66% 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
Morning in Los Angeles on Thursday
Local time
7:07 AM
PDT
Current temp
72°F
Sunny
SW 5 to 10 mph
0% 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
22 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 38m 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 Woodlake, CA to Los Angeles, CA covers 354.9 miles and takes about 6h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, Hollywood 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 177.5 miles from Woodlake, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $81.57 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 354.9 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 332.2 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 337.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 354.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Woodlake, CA to Los Angeles, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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