Traveling from Buttonwillow to Los Angeles covers 125.6 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 26 minutes. This straightforward journey is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, as it connects the Pacific Coast regions efficiently. You can expect to spend approximately $17 on fuel for the one-way trek. Since the route is entirely within California, it offers a consistent, predictable experience for those looking to reach the city without unnecessary detours. Because there are no required stops, you have the flexibility to complete the drive in one go or build in your own pace. It is an ideal corridor for travelers prioritizing speed and direct access over scenic wandering.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
62.8 miles from Buttonwillow, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5 Truck
63.9 mi
1h 13m
Westside Freeway
36.3 mi
38m
Hollywood Freeway
16.2 mi
20m
Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi
4m
McKittrick Highway
3.9 mi
5m
North Spring Street
0.3 mi
<1m
CA 58
0.2 mi
<1m
West Aliso Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 5 Truck
— 63.9 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buttonwillow, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on East 1st Street
49 ft·7 sec·East 1st Street
2
Turn left onto North Main Street
347 ft·20 sec·North Main Street
3
Turn left onto CA 58
3.9 mi·5 min·McKittrick Highway
4
Take the ramp onto CA 58
0.2 mi·20 sec·CA 58
5
Merge onto I 5
36 mi·38 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
5.3 mi·6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·32 sec
Exit 153BToward CA 170 South: HollywoodUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on CA 170
16 mi·20 min·Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 2CToward BroadwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on West Aliso Street
409 ft·18 sec·West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn right onto North Spring Street
0.3 mi·35 sec·North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
15
Turn left onto West 1st Street
354 ft·12 sec·West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
16
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short 125.6-mile run, you have the advantage of total flexibility in your departure time. However, given the reliance on major freeways like the Hollywood Freeway, aim to avoid peak commuting hours to ensure you stay close to the 2-hour and 26-minute estimate. Since the trip requires zero mandatory stops, fill up your tank before you leave Buttonwillow to make the most of your $17 fuel budget. If you find yourself needing a break during the 63.9-mile stretch on the I-5 Truck, plan your pull-offs ahead of time to avoid getting stuck in the flow of heavy vehicle traffic. Keeping a steady pace will make this direct transit feel much more manageable.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 62.8 miles from Buttonwillow, CA, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.9 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 28 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.8 miles or 1h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 57m
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 Buttonwillow, 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 Buttonwillow, CA
This is one driving day of about 125.6 miles and 2h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Buttonwillow, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 5 Truck for about 63.9 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 102.8 and 125.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
102.8 mi into trip|~1h 56m 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
108.4 mi into trip|~2h 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
125.1 mi into trip|~2h 24m 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
125.3 mi into trip|~2h 25m in|North Spring Street
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
125.5 mi into trip|~2h 25m in|West 1st Street
Turn left onto West 1st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.87 one way
$57.74 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$29.75
$59.50
premium
$6.18
$30.54
$61.09
diesel
$5.61
$27.73
$55.46
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.7
0
$13.19
$6.03
Efficient EV
31.4
0
$10.99
$5.02
EV Truck/SUV
50.2
0
$17.58
$8.04
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Buttonwillow, CA
Morning
in Buttonwillow on Sunday
Local time
11:58 AM
PDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Morning
in Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
11:58 AM
PDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Clear
N 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
49°F
Val Verde, CA
63 mi in
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
3 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
2h 26m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 103.9
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly efficient, highway-focused drive where 96% of your time is spent on major thoroughfares. You will navigate a mix of the I-5 Truck route, the Westside Freeway, and the Hollywood Freeway as you approach your destination. The longest uninterrupted stretch lasts for 63.9 miles on the I-5 Truck, allowing you to settle into a steady rhythm behind the wheel. While the route lacks the complexity of winding backroads, the transition from the open stretches of the freeway to the denser traffic patterns of the Hollywood Freeway defines the character of this trip. Prepare for a functional, high-speed transit that prioritizes getting you from point A to point B with minimal friction.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 63.9 mi on I 5 Truck.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 Truck and Westside Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 102.8 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 13 significant decision points across 125.6 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 102.8 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 108.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 125.1 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
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 26m. Total distance: 125.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 63.9 miles on I 5 Truck. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 102.8 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 108.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 125.1 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Los Angeles, CA before heading back.
