Origin
Alpaugh, CA
Morning in Alpaugh on Tuesday
Local time
6:27 AM
PDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Alpaugh, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 14m
Distance
162 mi
261 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 3m
★
6 AM
3h 15m
8 AM
3h 39m
10 AM
3h 23m
12 PM
3h 21m
3 PM
3h 24m
5 PM
3h 37m
8 PM
3h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alpaugh, CA
Skyler Sion
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Alpaugh to Los Angeles is 162 miles and takes about 3h 14m via Golden State Freeway, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive connects two points within the Pacific Coast region, making it a straightforward journey. You'll primarily be on major freeways, so expect consistent speeds and a predictable travel time. This route is ideal for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. Consider this drive when you need an efficient transit between these two California locations.
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
81 miles from Alpaugh, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 38m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Golden State Freeway | 94.8 mi | 1h 47m |
| Golden State Highway | 32.1 mi | 34m |
| Hollywood Freeway | 16.2 mi | 20m |
| Avenue 56 | 9.1 mi | 17m |
| I 5 Truck | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| Center Avenue | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| West Sierra Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Borchardt Drive | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Golden State Freeway
— 94.8 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alpaugh, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on J33
24 ft
·
6 sec
·
Tule Road
2
Turn left onto J22
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Center Avenue
3
Continue on J22
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Borchardt Drive
4
Continue on J22
9.1 mi
·
17 min
·
Avenue 56
5
Continue on J22
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
West Sierra Road
6
Continue on J22
461 ft
·
10 sec
·
Sierra Avenue
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
8
Merge onto CA 99
32 mi
·
34 min
·
Golden State Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on CA 99
5.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
27 mi
·
30 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Toward CA 99 South: Los Angeles
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
58 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 153B
Toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on CA 170
16 mi
·
20 min
·
Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 2C
Toward Broadway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on West Aliso Street
409 ft
·
18 sec
·
West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn right onto North Spring Street
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
20
Turn left onto West 1st Street
354 ft
·
12 sec
·
West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
21
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 3h 14m, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, so aim for an early start to avoid potential traffic delays, especially as you near Los Angeles. With 162 miles and a fuel cost estimate of $37, you won't need to make frequent fuel stops, but it’s always wise to top off before departing Alpaugh. The longest stretch on the Golden State Freeway is nearly 95 miles, so plan any breaks before or after this segment. Your main consideration will be navigating the urban approach into Los Angeles, so keep an eye on real-time traffic conditions.
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 81 miles from Alpaugh, CA, or about 1h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.8 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 36 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81 miles or 1h 38m 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 38m
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 Alpaugh, 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 Alpaugh, CA
This is one driving day of about 162 miles and 3h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Alpaugh, 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 Golden State Freeway for about 94.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
81 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 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 81 miles from Alpaugh, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Golden State Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 94.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 49.5 and 161.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
49.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
|
CA 99 / Golden State Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99 / Golden State Freeway toward CA 99 South: Los Angeles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 99 South: Los Angeles
8
139.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m 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
144.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 52m 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
161.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 13m 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
161.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 14m in
|
North Spring Street
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.23 one way
$74.47 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
57 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $38.37 | $76.74 |
| premium | $6.18 | $39.40 | $78.79 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.77 | $71.54 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.6 | 0 | $17.01 | $7.78 |
| Efficient EV | 40.5 | 0 | $14.17 | $6.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.8 | 0 | $22.68 | $10.37 |
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% 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
Morning in Los Angeles on Tuesday
Local time
6:27 AM
PDT
Current temp
55°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
21 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 14m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 139.6
View on nps.gov
César E. Chávez National Monument
National Monument
Yes, we can! Widely recognized as the most important Latino leader in the United States during the twentieth century, Cesar Chavez led farm workers and supporters in the establishment of the country's...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 67
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 72% of the journey utilizing major freeways like the Golden State Freeway and Hollywood Freeway. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans 94.8 miles on the Golden State Freeway, meaning you can settle in for a good period of consistent driving. While the profile suggests a highway focus, be aware that freeway conditions can vary, especially as you approach the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Expect a fairly direct and efficient travel experience for most of the 162 miles.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 94.8 mi on Golden State Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Golden State Freeway and Golden State Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 49.5 miles in near CA 99 / Golden State Freeway.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 162 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 49.5 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 139.2 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 144.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Arriving in Los Angeles, CA
Full guide →“Tinseltown” · Founded 1781
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.
Top landmarks
- • Hollywood Walk of Fame — more than 2,700 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks...
- • Hollywood Sign — sign reading "HOLLYWOOD" located in Los Angeles, California, United States
- • Getty Center — campus of the Getty Museum and other programs of the Getty Trust in Los Angeles
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 14m. Total distance: 162 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 94.8 miles on Golden State Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Los Angeles, CA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 49.5 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 139.2 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 144.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and César E. Chávez National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Los Angeles, CA, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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