Water
0 mi from route
Trip from Arnold, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 21m
Distance
362 mi
583 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$76
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 11m
★
6 AM
7h 22m
8 AM
7h 43m
10 AM
7h 29m
12 PM
7h 27m
3 PM
7h 30m
5 PM
7h 42m
8 PM
7h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arnold, CA
Abhishek Navlakha
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Arnold, CA to Los Angeles, CA is 362 miles and takes about 7h 21m via CA 99 and Golden State Freeway, with a fuel budget near $87 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you from the Pacific Coast region down to the same region, traversing much of California's Central Valley. With a recommended single day of driving, it's a straightforward path that minimizes complexity. Consider this route if you need to get from Northern to Southern California efficiently, as it prioritizes direct travel over scenic detours.
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
181 miles from Arnold, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 57m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CA 99 | 96.8 mi | 1h 47m |
| Golden State Freeway | 94.8 mi | 1h 47m |
| Golden State Highway | 58.6 mi | 1h 2m |
| La Grange Road | 26.2 mi | 38m |
| Highway 4 | 18.8 mi | 28m |
| 2nd Street | 18 mi | 27m |
| Hollywood Freeway | 16.2 mi | 20m |
| South Main Street | 9.8 mi | 15m |
Longest stretch:
CA 99
— 96.8 mi, about 1h 47m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 90 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,770 veh/hr typical · worst 4,589
Quietest
2 AM
~577 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 44 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arnold, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on CA 4
19 mi
·
28 min
·
Highway 4
2
Turn left onto CA 4 BUS
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Vallecito Road
3
Turn sharp left onto CA 49
9.8 mi
·
15 min
·
South Main Street
4
Turn right onto E5
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Rawhide Road
5
Continue on E5
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Rawhide Road
6
Turn right onto CA 49; CA 108
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
CA 49; CA 108
7
Enter roundabout onto CA 49; CA 108
105 ft
·
1 sec
·
CA 49; CA 108
8
Continue on CA 49; CA 108
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
CA 49; CA 108
Use the left lane.
9
Continue on CA 108; CA 120
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
CA 108; CA 120
10
Turn left onto J59
26 mi
·
38 min
·
La Grange Road
Use the left lane.
11
At end of road, turn right onto CA 59; J16
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
Merced Falls Road
12
Continue on CA 59; J16
387 ft
·
6 sec
·
La Grange Road
13
Continue on CA 59; J16
18 mi
·
27 min
·
2nd Street
14
Turn right
142 ft
·
5 sec
Toward CA 59 South
15
Turn right onto CA 59
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
V Street
16
Turn left onto CA 59; CA 140
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
West 13th Street
17
Take the ramp onto CA 140 East; CA 59
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
CA 140 East; CA 59
Toward CA 99 South
18
Merge onto CA 99; CA 59; CA 140
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
CA 99; CA 59; CA 140
19
Continue on CA 99; CA 140
55 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
CA 99; CA 140
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
41 mi
·
44 min
·
CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
59 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
Golden State Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on CA 99
5.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
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.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
58 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
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.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 153B
Toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on CA 170
16 mi
·
20 min
·
Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 2C
Toward Broadway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on West Aliso Street
409 ft
·
18 sec
·
West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
32
Turn right onto North Spring Street
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
33
Turn left onto West 1st Street
354 ft
·
12 sec
·
West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
34
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
For this 7-hour drive, leaving Arnold, CA in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and avoid potential traffic as you approach Los Angeles. With only 2 recommended stops, you can choose to make one longer break or two shorter ones to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 96.8-mile stretch on CA 99 where services might be less frequent than in urban areas. The $87 fuel cost is an estimate, so factoring in a buffer is always a good idea for road trips of this length.
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 181 miles from Arnold, CA, or about 3h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96.8 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 80 miles or 2h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 181 miles or 3h 57m 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 9m
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 Arnold, 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 Arnold, CA
This is one driving day of about 362 miles and 7h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Arnold, 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 CA 99 for about 96.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 181 miles from Arnold, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before CA 99 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 96.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Bear Mountain Truck Stop
0 mi from route
Highway Patrol Weigh Station
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Castaic Truck Stop
0.1 mi from route
C. H. Warlow Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
United Park
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
EZ Trip Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Valley Fuel Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Tejon Pass Rest Area - Northbound
0.2 mi from route
Tejon Pass Rest Area - Southbound
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.4 mi from route
Rest Area
0.5 mi from route
Rest Area
0.7 mi from route
Ahmed's Exxon
0.9 mi from route
Rest Area
1.6 mi from route
Rest Area
1.8 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 245 decision points cluster between mile 249.5 and 361.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
249.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 10m 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
339.2 mi into trip
|
~6h 52m 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
344.8 mi into trip
|
~6h 58m 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
361.4 mi into trip
|
~7h 20m 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
361.6 mi into trip
|
~7h 20m in
|
North Spring Street
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$75.73 one way
$151.47 round trip
$5.31/gal
25.4 MPG avg
127 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.52 | $78.66 | $157.31 |
| premium | $5.67 | $80.74 | $161.47 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $68.35 | $136.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$76
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$101–$126
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 126.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 108.6 | 1 | $38.01 | $17.38 |
| Efficient EV | 90.5 | 1 | $31.68 | $14.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 144.8 | 1 | $50.68 | $23.17 |
Gas CO2
127 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.
Origin
Arnold, CA
Morning in Arnold on Monday
Local time
7:15 AM
PDT
Current temp
62°F
Mostly Clear
ENE 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 16 at 11:09PM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Morning in Los Angeles on Monday
Local time
7:15 AM
PDT
Current temp
67°F
Mostly Cloudy
SE 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 16 at 11:09PM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
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
5 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 21m 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.
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 337
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
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 262.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily highway, with 67% of the route on major roads like CA 99 and the Golden State Freeway. You'll experience a longest stretch of 96.8 miles on CA 99 before hitting more varied road types. Expect frequent exits and merges as you pass through numerous towns and cities in the Central Valley. The profile is mostly highway, meaning consistent speeds are likely for a significant portion of the 362-mile trip.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 96.8 mi on CA 99.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CA 99 and Golden State Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 249.5 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 24 significant decision points across 362 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 249.5 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 339.2 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 344.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,010 ft
232 ft
Total Climb
2,725 ft
Total Descent
6,451 ft
Highest Point
4,010 ft
Elevation Range
3,778 ft
Notable High Points
2,778 ft at ~310.3 miles
+640 ft prominence
About the Cities
Starting in Arnold, CA
Full guide →Arnold is a humble mountain town located in the beautiful, yet undiscovered, Stainslaus National Forest in Calaveras County. The town is a great pit stop if you need to refresh your supplies. The town has several gas stations, a supermarket (Big Trees Market), restaurants, and a very friendly population.
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 7h 21m. Total distance: 362 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 21m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 96.8 miles on CA 99. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 27 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 249.5 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 339.2 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 344.8 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.4 hours each way, a round trip means 14.7 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.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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