Traveling from Anderson to Los Angeles covers a substantial 532-mile stretch across the Pacific Coast region. With a total driving time of 9 hours and 43 minutes, attempting this in a single day is an endurance test that many travelers prefer to split into two days. You should budget approximately $123 for fuel to complete the journey. The route primarily utilizes the Westside Freeway, I-5 Truck, and the Cascade Wonderland Highway to navigate south. Because the drive demands nearly ten hours of focus, planning for an overnight stay will keep you fresh and make the experience far more manageable than a grueling nonstop push.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
266 miles from Anderson, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
424.9 mi
7h 38m
I 5 Truck
63.9 mi
1h 13m
Cascade Wonderland Highway
20.2 mi
21m
Hollywood Freeway
16.2 mi
20m
Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi
4m
CA 273
1.7 mi
2m
North Spring Street
0.3 mi
<1m
West Aliso Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 424.9 mi, about 7h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anderson, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on CA 273; US 99 Hist
58 ft·9 sec·CA 273; US 99 Hist
2
Continue on CA 273; US 99 Hist
1.7 mi·2 min·CA 273; US 99 Hist
3
Merge onto I 5
20 mi·21 min·Cascade Wonderland Highway
4
Continue on I 5
93 mi·1 hr 39 min·Westside Freeway
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
16 mi·16 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
79 mi·1 hr 27 min·Westside Freeway
Use the 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 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 straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
0.3 mi·17 sec·I 5 Truck
Exit 158Toward I 405 SouthUse 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 153BToward CA 170 South: HollywoodUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on CA 170
16 mi·20 min·Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 2CToward BroadwayUse 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 532-mile trek effectively, consider breaking your trip into two segments to avoid fatigue. Since you are looking at nearly ten hours of road time, aim to pace yourself with at least two planned stops to stretch your legs and refuel. Start your journey early in the morning to beat potential traffic congestion as you approach the Los Angeles metropolitan area later in the day. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $123 cost estimate can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and current regional prices. Prioritizing these stops along the Westside Freeway will help you maintain your energy levels throughout the long southern push.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 266 miles from Anderson, CA, or about 4h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 424.9 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 117 miles or 2h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 266 miles or 4h 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 266 miles or 4h 49m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 8h 31m
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 Anderson, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Anderson, CA
Aim for roughly 266 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Los Angeles, CA
Aim for roughly 266 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 117 miles from Anderson, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 424.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 509.2 and 531.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
509.2 mi into trip|~9h 14m 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
514.8 mi into trip|~9h 20m 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
531.4 mi into trip|~9h 42m 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
531.6 mi into trip|~9h 42m in|North Spring Street
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
531.9 mi into trip|~9h 43m in|West 1st Street
Turn left onto West 1st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$122.28 one way
$244.55 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg186 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$126.00
$252.01
premium
$6.18
$129.38
$258.75
diesel
$5.61
$117.46
$234.92
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$122
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$252–$362
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 186.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $56 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
159.6
1
$55.86
$25.54
Efficient EV
133
1
$46.55
$21.28
EV Truck/SUV
212.8
2
$74.48
$34.05
Gas CO2
186 kg
EV CO2
62 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Anderson, CA
Night
in Anderson on Saturday
Local time
9:36 PM
PDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Night
in Los Angeles on Saturday
Local time
9:36 PM
PDT
Current temp
54°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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
12 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
9h 43m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly efficient journey, as 96% of this trip is spent on highways. The road's personality is defined by a significant, long-distance interstate grind rather than winding local roads. You will settle in for a massive 424.9-mile stretch on the Westside Freeway, which serves as the backbone of your travel. This setup allows for consistent speeds, though it results in a more utilitarian driving experience compared to scenic backroads. While the highway percentage ensures you make steady progress toward your destination, be prepared for the repetitive rhythm that comes with such an extended run on major interstates.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 424.9 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 509.2 miles in near I 5 Truck.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 532 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 509.2 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 514.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 531.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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
The longest stretch is about 424.9 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 266 miles on day one.
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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 509.2 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 514.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 531.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.7 hours each way, a round trip means 19.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Los Angeles, CA before the return drive.
