Origin
Woodside, CA
Evening in Woodside on Wednesday
Local time
5:39 PM
PDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Woodside, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
6h 51m
Distance
361.1 mi
581 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$83
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 40m
★
6 AM
6h 51m
8 AM
7h 15m
10 AM
6h 59m
12 PM
6h 57m
3 PM
7h 1m
5 PM
7h 13m
8 PM
6h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Woodside, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Traveling from Woodside to Los Angeles covers 361.1 miles and typically takes about 6 hours and 51 minutes. Because this is a highway-focused drive, you can comfortably complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $49 on fuel for the trip, making it a relatively predictable budget item for your Pacific Coast excursion. You will primarily utilize the Westside Freeway, I-5 Truck route, and Pacheco Pass Highway to navigate between these two points. Since both locations are within the Pacific Coast region, the transition is smooth, though you should prepare for a long day behind the wheel. It is a straightforward, utilitarian route that prioritizes efficiency over coastal scenery.
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
180.5 miles from Woodside, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 28m into the drive .
Drive Character
With 88% of this journey spent on major highways, you should prepare for a consistent, high-speed pace. The personality of the drive is defined by its focus on direct transit, specifically featuring a significant 181.1-mile uninterrupted stretch along the Westside Freeway. While the Pacheco Pass Highway introduces some variety, the overall experience is that of a functional interstate grind rather than a winding backroad tour. You will find the road conditions facilitate steady progress, allowing you to cover the distance effectively if you stay focused. Expect the environment to remain fairly uniform as you move through these primary corridors toward your destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 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 181.1 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 13.9 miles in.
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 361.1 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 13.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 338.3 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 343.8 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.
7
13.9 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Take the exit toward CA 85 South: Gilroy
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 12B
Toward CA 85 South: Gilroy
8
338.3 mi into trip
|
~6h 22m 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
343.8 mi into trip
|
~6h 28m 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
360.5 mi into trip
|
~6h 49m 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
360.7 mi into trip
|
~6h 50m in
|
North Spring Street
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 181.1 mi | 3h 14m |
| I 5 Truck | 63.9 mi | 1h 13m |
| Pacheco Pass Highway | 40.6 mi | 50m |
| US 101 | 20.3 mi | 23m |
| West Valley Freeway | 18.1 mi | 20m |
| Hollywood Freeway | 16.2 mi | 20m |
| Junipero Serra Freeway | 12.7 mi | 14m |
| Golden State Freeway | 4.1 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 181.1 mi, about 3h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Woodside, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on this road
50 ft
·
5 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto Cañada Lane
137 ft
·
6 sec
·
Cañada Lane
3
Continue on CA 84
464 ft
·
26 sec
·
Woodside Road
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn left
288 ft
·
22 sec
5
Turn left onto Mountain Home Road
22 ft
·
0 sec
·
Mountain Home Road
6
Turn right onto CA 84
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Woodside Road
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward I 280 South: San Jose
Use the straight lane.
8
Merge onto I 280
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Junipero Serra Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
Exit 12B
Toward CA 85 South: Gilroy
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto CA 85
18 mi
·
20 min
·
West Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on CA 85
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
·
CA 85
Exit 1A
Toward US 101 South
12
Continue on US 101
20 mi
·
23 min
·
US 101
13
Take the exit onto CA 152
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
CA 152
Toward CA 152 East: 10th Street, Pacheco Pass Road
14
Turn left onto CA 152
353 ft
·
12 sec
·
East 10th Street
15
Continue on CA 152
41 mi
·
50 min
·
Pacheco Pass Highway
16
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 5: Los Angeles
17
Merge onto I 5
181 mi
·
3 hr 14 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
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.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 153B
Toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on CA 170
16 mi
·
20 min
·
Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 2C
Toward Broadway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on West Aliso Street
409 ft
·
18 sec
·
West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
26
Turn right onto North Spring Street
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
27
Turn left onto West 1st Street
354 ft
·
12 sec
·
West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
28
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
To keep your drive manageable, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the nearly seven-hour duration. Because the vast majority of your travel occurs on high-speed freeways, try to depart early in the morning to avoid the heaviest traffic periods near major urban centers. Monitor your fuel gauge closely before hitting the long 181.1-mile stretch, as services can be spaced out along the more remote sections of the Westside Freeway. Since this is a single-day trip, your primary goal is maintaining consistent momentum while staying hydrated and alert. Taking a mid-way break will ensure you arrive in Los Angeles feeling refreshed rather than fatigued by the long hours on the road.
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 180.5 miles from Woodside, CA, or about 3h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 181.1 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 79 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 180.5 miles or 3h 28m 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 39m
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 Woodside, 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 Woodside, CA
This is one driving day of about 361.1 miles and 6h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Woodside, 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 181.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 180.5 mi from Woodside, CA · 3h 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
181 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 79 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 180.5 miles from Woodside, 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 181.1 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
$83.00 one way
$165.99 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
126 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $85.53 | $171.05 |
| premium | $6.18 | $87.82 | $175.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $79.73 | $159.45 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$83
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$108–$133
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 126.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 108.3 | 1 | $37.92 | $17.33 |
| Efficient EV | 90.3 | 1 | $31.60 | $14.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 144.4 | 1 | $50.55 | $23.11 |
Gas CO2
126 kg
EV CO2
42 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 Wednesday
Local time
5:39 PM
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
6 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 51m 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 Woodside, CA to Los Angeles, CA covers 361.1 miles and takes about 6h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, Pacheco Pass Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 180.5 miles from Woodside, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $83.00 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 361.1 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 13.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 338.3 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 343.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Woodside, CA to Los Angeles, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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