Origin
Woodland, CA
Evening in Woodland on Sunday
Local time
5:33 PM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Woodland, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Drive Time
7h 26m
Distance
402.2 mi
647 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$93
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 16m
★
6 AM
7h 27m
8 AM
7h 47m
10 AM
7h 34m
12 PM
7h 32m
3 PM
7h 35m
5 PM
7h 46m
8 PM
7h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Woodland, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Traveling from Woodland to Los Angeles covers 402.2 miles and takes approximately 7 hours and 26 minutes of driving time. Because this route is almost entirely highway-focused, you can comfortably complete the journey in a single day if you stay focused. Expect to budget about $55 for fuel to make the trip down the Pacific Coast region. While it is a long haul, the straightforward nature of the path makes it a reliable choice for those looking to reach Southern California quickly. Since the drive is quite lengthy, you should plan for at least two stops to keep your energy levels up. It is a practical, no-nonsense transit between two major California hubs.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
201.1 miles from Woodland, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 41m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is defined by a high-speed, interstate-heavy experience, with 99% of your time spent on major highways. You will navigate the Westside Freeway, the I-5 Truck route, and the Hollywood Freeway as you head south. Be prepared for a significant stretch of monotonous driving, as the longest single segment is a 315-mile run along the Westside Freeway. The personality of the road remains consistent and efficient, keeping you moving at a steady pace for the duration of the trip. Expect little variation in road type, as the route prioritizes speed and directness over local 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 19 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 315 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 379.4 miles in near I 5 Truck.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 402.2 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 379.4 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 385 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 401.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
379.4 mi into trip
|
~6h 57m 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
385 mi into trip
|
~7h 3m 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
401.6 mi into trip
|
~7h 25m 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
401.8 mi into trip
|
~7h 25m in
|
North Spring Street
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
402.1 mi into trip
|
~7h 26m 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 | 315 mi | 5h 40m |
| I 5 Truck | 63.9 mi | 1h 13m |
| Hollywood Freeway | 16.2 mi | 20m |
| Golden State Freeway | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| East Main Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| Court Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| I 5 Business | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| North Spring Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 315 mi, about 5h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Woodland, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on 1st Street
96 ft
·
8 sec
·
1st Street
2
Turn right onto Court Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Court Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto East Street
460 ft
·
18 sec
·
East Street
4
Turn left onto I 5 BUS
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
5
Take the ramp onto I 5 Business
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
I 5 Business
Toward I 5 South: Sacramento
Use the none lane.
6
Merge onto I 5
78 mi
·
1 hr 26 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi
·
48 sec
·
Westside Freeway
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
237 mi
·
4 hr 13 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
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.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the none lane.
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 none lane.
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 tackle this 402-mile journey effectively, consider departing early in the morning to avoid heavy traffic congestion as you approach the Los Angeles area. Since you will be on the highway for most of the day, utilize your two planned stops to stretch and refuel, keeping your total cost near the $55 estimate. Keep a close watch on your fuel gauge during that 315-mile stretch on the Westside Freeway, as service options may be spaced out. Given the 7 hour and 26 minute duration, having a solid playlist or podcast queue is essential for the long, uninterrupted highway segments. Flexibility is your best asset here, so don't hesitate to adjust your arrival time if you notice traffic patterns shifting on 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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 201.1 miles from Woodland, CA, or about 3h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 315 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 88 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 201.1 miles or 3h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 14m
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 Woodland, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Woodland, CA
This is one driving day of about 402.2 miles and 7h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 88 miles from Woodland, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 315 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 201.1 mi from Woodland, CA · 3h 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
201 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 88 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 201.1 miles from Woodland, 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 315 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
$93.14 one way
$186.28 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
141 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $96.05 | $192.11 |
| premium | $6.24 | $98.86 | $197.71 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $89.35 | $178.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$93
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$118–$143
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 140.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 120.7 | 1 | $42.23 | $19.31 |
| Efficient EV | 100.6 | 1 | $35.19 | $16.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 160.9 | 2 | $56.31 | $25.74 |
Gas CO2
141 kg
EV CO2
47 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
Evening in Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
5:33 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
28 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
7h 26m 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 Woodland, CA to Los Angeles, CA covers 402.2 miles and takes about 7h 26m 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 201.1 miles from Woodland, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $93.14 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 2 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 16 significant decision points across 402.2 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 379.4 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 385 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 401.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Woodland, CA to Los Angeles, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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