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Trip from Cincinnati, OH to Los Angeles, CA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

38h 11m

Distance

2173.8 mi

3,498 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

4-day trip

Fuel Cost

$337

one way

EV Charging

Fair

2 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 103 min
4 AM
37h 37m ★
6 AM
38h 12m
8 AM
39h 20m
10 AM
38h 36m
12 PM
38h 29m
3 PM
38h 39m
5 PM
39h 17m
8 PM
37h 51m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Ohio, United States; county seat of Hamilton County

Cincinnati, OH

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown los-angeles-ca

Los Angeles, CA

Stephen Leonardi

Trip Overview

Embarking on the 2,173.8-mile journey from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Los Angeles, California, is a significant cross-country undertaking that transitions you from the heart of the Midwest to the Pacific Coast. Expect to spend at least 38 hours and 11 minutes of pure driving time behind the wheel. Given the distance, you should plan for a minimum of four days to complete the trip safely and comfortably. With an estimated fuel budget of $317, it is essential to factor in these costs when planning your cross-country travel. This trek is certainly not a day trip and requires a structured itinerary to manage the 10 planned stops effectively. Whether you are moving or taking a long-distance road trip, this route offers a massive change in scenery as you traverse the country from east to west.

Trip Pace

Best split across 4 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

10 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

1086.9 miles from Cincinnati, OH

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 19h 29m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway 1033.3 mi 17h 27m
Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor 266.5 mi 4h 49m
Needles Freeway 155.1 mi 2h 46m
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway 138 mi 2h 30m
Northwest Expressway 94 mi 1h 42m
I 70 93.6 mi 1h 42m
Will Rogers Turnpike 87.6 mi 1h 27m
Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike 86.6 mi 1h 25m
Longest stretch: Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway — 1033.3 mi, about 17h 27m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cincinnati, OH and Los Angeles, CA.

1

Start on Ohio Avenue

340 ft · 21 sec · Ohio Avenue
2

At end of road, turn left onto Calhoun Street

0.3 mi · 57 sec · Calhoun Street
3

At end of road, turn right onto Clifton Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Clifton Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
4

Turn left onto West Martin Luther King Junior Drive

0.8 mi · 1 min · West Martin Luther King Junior Drive
Use the left lane.
5

Turn straight onto US 27; US 52

0.1 mi · 20 sec · Hopple Street
6

Take the ramp onto US 27; US 52

0.1 mi · 13 sec · US 27; US 52
Toward I 75 North, I 74 West, US 27 North, US 52 West Use the right lane.
7

Continue on US 52; US 27

0.4 mi · 49 sec · US 52; US 27
8

Keep slight left at fork onto US 52; US 27

0.6 mi · 1 min · US 52; US 27
Toward I 74 West, US 52 West, US 27 North Use the slight left lane.
9

Continue on I 74; US 27; US 52

10 mi · 12 min · Northwest Expressway
10

Merge onto I 74; I 275; US 52

2.7 mi · 3 min · Circle Freeway
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 74; US 52

84 mi · 1 hr 30 min · Northwest Expressway
Toward I 74 West, US 52 West: Indianapolis Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Continue on this road

1.2 mi · 1 min · this road
Exit 94 Toward Southeastern Avenue
13

Continue on Southeastern Avenue

0.8 mi · 1 min · Southeastern Avenue
14

Turn slight left onto East Raymond Street

7.8 mi · 12 min · East Raymond Street
Use the left lane.
15

Continue on Sam Jones Expressway

1.5 mi · 2 min · Sam Jones Expressway
Use the left lane.
16

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 70 West Use the slight right lane.
17

Merge onto I 70

138 mi · 2 hr 30 min · Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight right at fork onto I 70

77 mi · 1 hr 22 min · I 70
Toward I 70 West: Saint Louis
19

Keep slight left at fork onto I 70

17 mi · 19 min · I 70
Toward I 55 South, I 70 West: Saint Louis Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55; US 40

0.7 mi · 1 min · I 55; US 40
Toward I 55 South, I 64, IL 3, US 40 West: Louisville, Saint Louis Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Merge onto I 55; I 64; US 40

1.0 mi · 1 min · I 55; I 64; US 40
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
22

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55; IL 3

1.6 mi · 1 min · I 55; IL 3
Exit 1 Toward IL 3 South: Cahokia Use the slight right lane.
23

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55

1.3 mi · 2 min · I 55
Exit 40B Toward I 44 West, I 55 South, I 44 East: Tulsa, Memphis, Kansas City, Walnut Street Use the slight right lane.
24

Keep slight right at fork onto I 44

13 mi · 16 min · I 44
Use the slight right lane.
25

Continue on I 44; US 50

267 mi · 4 hr 49 min · Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Continue on I 44

11 mi · 11 min · George Washington Carver Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Continue on I 44

88 mi · 1 hr 27 min · Will Rogers Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
28

Keep slight right at fork onto I 44

5.1 mi · 6 min · I 44
Exit 34 Toward I 44 West, US 412 West, OK 66 West: Tulsa Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29

Keep slight left at fork onto I 44; OK 66

14 mi · 17 min · Skelly Bypass
Toward I 44 West, OK 66 West: Sapulpa, Oklahoma City Use the slight left lane.
30

Keep slight left at fork onto I 44; OK 66

1.1 mi · 1 min · Skelly Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31

Continue on I 44

87 mi · 1 hr 25 min · Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike
Toward I 44 West: Oklahoma City Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32

Continue on I 344

24 mi · 25 min · John Kilpatrick Turnpike
Exit 138B Toward Kilpatrick Turnpike West Use the straight / slight left lanes.
33

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward Northwest 10th Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34

Continue on Northwest 10th Street

1.6 mi · 2 min · Northwest 10th Street
Use the left lane.
35

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 47 sec
Use the left lane.
36

Merge onto I 40; US 270

55 mi · 55 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37

Continue on I 40

2.6 mi · 2 min · Senator Ed Berrong Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38

Continue on I 40

24 mi · 25 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39

Continue on I 40

11 mi · 10 min · Great Western Cattle Trail
Use the straight lane.
40

Continue on I 40

954 mi · 16 hr 6 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41

Continue on I 40; US 66 Hist

155 mi · 2 hr 46 min · Needles Freeway
42

Merge onto I 15

46 mi · 48 min · Barstow and Mojave Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
43

Continue on I 15; US 66 Hist; US 91 Hist; US 395 Hist

5.6 mi · 6 min · CHP Officer Larry L. Wetterling and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Lieutenant Alfred E. Stewart Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44

Continue on I 15; US 66 Hist

6.3 mi · 6 min · Barstow and Mojave Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
45

Take the exit onto I 15

15 mi · 16 min · I 15
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
46

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 109A Toward I 10 West: Los Angeles Use the slight right lane.
47

Merge onto I 10

1.5 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
48

Take the exit

204 ft · 5 sec
Use the slight left lane.
49

Merge onto I 10 EXPR

7.3 mi · 7 min · I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
50

Merge onto I 10

1.2 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
51

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

0.9 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
52

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.3 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
53

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.9 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
54

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.9 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
55

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.6 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
56

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.4 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
57

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.5 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
58

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.1 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
59

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

2.0 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
60

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.6 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
61

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

2.6 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
62

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

12 mi · 14 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
63

Merge onto US 101

0.4 mi · 36 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
64

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 19 sec
Exit 2B Toward Alameda Street, Union Station Use the slight right lane.
65

Continue on I 10 EXPR

0.2 mi · 32 sec · East Arcadia Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
66

Turn left onto North Los Angeles Street

0.3 mi · 44 sec · North Los Angeles Street
67

Turn right onto East 1st Street

461 ft · 17 sec · East 1st Street
68

Arrive at destination

West 1st Street

Trip Plan

To tackle this 2,173.8-mile drive effectively, aim to distribute your 10 stops evenly across your four-day schedule. Because the longest stretch covers over 1,000 miles on the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, ensure you monitor your fuel levels consistently to stay within your $317 budget. Leaving early in the morning each day will help you avoid peak traffic congestion and keep you on track for your daily mileage goals. Since you are crossing multiple time zones from the Midwest to the Pacific, prioritize rest to stay alert during the long hours of interstate travel. Staying flexible with your pacing is the best way to handle such a substantial distance without burning out.

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 4-day trip.
Plan roughly 10 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 1086.9 miles from Cincinnati, OH, or about 19h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 1033.3 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 220 miles or 4h 9m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 1086.9 miles or 19h 29m 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 543.5 miles or 10h 6m

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 37h 2m

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 Cincinnati, OH 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 4-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Cincinnati, OH

Aim for roughly 543 miles and 9.5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Keep the middle miles efficient

Aim for roughly 543 miles and 9.5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 3

Keep the middle miles efficient

Aim for roughly 543 miles and 9.5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 4

Finish the approach into Los Angeles, CA

Aim for roughly 543 miles and 9.5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 220 miles from Cincinnati, OH.
This route usually feels better as a 4-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 10 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway for about 1033.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

archaeological site near East St. Louis, Illinois, USA

Early stop town

Coffee and fuel

Cahokia, IL

543 mi into the route

Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch

This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.

Downtown Wichita Falls, TX, TX

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Wichita Falls, TX

1087 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Wichita Falls, TX
city in Navajo County, Arizona, United States of America

Late stop town

Final reset

Show Low, AZ

1630 mi into the route

Best for: Food, fuel, and one last short break

This is a smart final reset before the arrival run into Los Angeles, CA.

Overnight Options

Night 1

Cahokia, IL

543 mi · about 9.5h in

A practical overnight split lands near Cahokia, IL after about 543 miles or 9.5 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Night 2

Wichita Falls, TX

1087 mi · about 19.1h in

A practical overnight split lands near Wichita Falls, TX after about 1087 miles or 19.1 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Night 3

Show Low, AZ

1630 mi · about 28.6h in

A practical overnight split lands near Show Low, AZ after about 1630 miles or 28.6 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Plainfield, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 220 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Amarillo, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 1086.9 miles from Cincinnati, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 1033.3 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 543 miles or 9.5 hours on the road.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Pho Lang Thang

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cincinnati, Ohio

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15133769177

Visit website

Baladi Restaurant & Bakery

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cincinnati, Ohio

1 mi

The Northern Pines Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Flagstaff, Arizona

1.3 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Cincy cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cincinnati, Ohio

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7:30 am–10 pm

+15133833000

The 86 Coffee Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cincinnati, Ohio

0.5 mi

Lola's Coffee + Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cincinnati, Ohio

2 mi

Pho Lang Thang

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15133769177

Visit website

Baladi Restaurant & Bakery

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+15132217222

Visit website

The Northern Pines Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 1708

Flagstaff, Arizona

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+19282661929

Visit website

Sotto

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $50 to $10

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15138225154

Visit website

Mid City Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $30 to $50

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 5–10 pm

Visit website

Scotti's Italian Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 11:30 am–1:30 pm

+15137219484

Visit website

Chef Jose Salazar • Mita's Restaurant | Downtown Cincinnati Restaurant & Tapas

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $50 to $10

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 5–10 pm

+15134216482

Visit website

Raya Lebanese Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+15134210049

Visit website

Cincy cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 7:30 am–10 pm

+15133833000

The 86 Coffee Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

Visit website

Lola's Coffee + Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

Visit website

Deeper Roots Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+15133812141

Visit website

Urbana Cafe Atlas Building

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+15137212233

Visit website

Jurassic Magic Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 2173.8

Los Angeles, California

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+12132639741

Visit website

Ludlow Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10

Ludlow, Kentucky

Hours: 6 am–12 pm

+18593412928

Visit website

Reality Tuesday Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

Park Hills, Kentucky

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+18592614939

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 776.4

Bristow, OK

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Francis Energy Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 776.4

Bristow, Oklahoma

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18004891588

Visit website

Los Angeles Plaza Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 2173.8

Los Angeles, California

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12134855572

Visit website

Vista Hermosa Natural Park, Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 2173.8

Los Angeles, California

Visit website

60out Escape Rooms - Silver Lake

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 2173.8

Los Angeles, California

Hours: 10 am–10:30 pm

+13233733101

Visit website

American Sign Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+15135416366

Visit website

Pioneer Museum--Arizona Historical Society

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 1708

Flagstaff, Arizona

+19287746272

Visit website

Fort Tuthill County Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 1708

Flagstaff, Arizona

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+19286798000

Visit website

Flagstaff Snow Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 1708

Flagstaff, Arizona

+19282245938

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 49

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.8 and 725.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

9
1.8 mi into trip | ~4m in | US 27; US 52

Take the ramp onto US 27; US 52 toward I 75 North, I 74 West, US 27 North, US 52 West

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Toward I 75 North, I 74 West, US 27 North, US 5...
8
2.3 mi into trip | ~5m in | US 52; US 27

Keep slight left at fork onto US 52; US 27 toward I 74 West, US 52 West, US 27 North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 74 West, US 52 West, US 27 North
8
15.5 mi into trip | ~22m in | I 74; US 52 / Northwest Expressway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 74; US 52 / Northwest Expressway toward I 74 West, US 52 West: Indianapolis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 74 West, US 52 West: Indianapolis
9
346.2 mi into trip | ~6h 28m in | I 55

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 44 West, I 55 South, I 44 East: Tulsa, Memphis, Kansas City, Walnut Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 40B Toward I 44 West, I 55 South, I 44 East: Tulsa,...
9
725.5 mi into trip | ~13h 16m in | I 44

Keep slight right at fork onto I 44 toward I 44 West, US 412 West, OK 66 West: Tulsa

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 34 Toward I 44 West, US 412 West, OK 66 West: Tuls...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$337.37 one way

$674.73 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 761 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.38 $374.42 $748.85
premium $4.91 $420.13 $840.25
diesel $5.61 $479.95 $959.90

Estimated Tolls: $9.89

Will Rogers Turnpike (87.6 mi) $4.38
Turner Turnpike (86.6 mi) $4.33
Kilpatrick Turnpike (23.5 mi) $1.18

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$337

Tolls

$10

Hotel (3n)

$240–$420

Meals

$100–$200

Total

$687–$967

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 760.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $228 in charging · 8 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 652.1 8 $228.25 $104.34
Efficient EV 543.5 6 $190.21 $86.95
EV Truck/SUV 869.5 10 $304.33 $139.12

Gas CO2

761 kg

EV CO2

254 kg (67% less)

This is a long EV road trip requiring 8 charging stops. Plan your route around charger locations and allow extra time for charging.

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

Cincinnati, OH

Evening in Cincinnati on Saturday

Local time

7:34 PM

EDT

Current temp

74°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 8 to 13 mph 92% chance Live forecast

Destination

Los Angeles, CA

Afternoon in Los Angeles on Saturday

Local time

4:34 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

3 hours earlier

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

20 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

38h 11m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Your journey features a highway share of 31%, requiring you to balance fast-paced interstate driving with other road types. The experience is dominated by the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, which accounts for a massive 1,033.3-mile stretch of your total time on the road. You will also navigate the Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor and the Needles Freeway as you transition between regions. While the drive includes long, sustained segments, the road’s personality shifts as you move across the country. Be prepared for a mix of high-speed transit and varying road conditions that demand your full attention over the 38-hour duration.

31% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
68 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 1033.3 mi on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

At 38h 11m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in near US 27; US 52.

Driving Effort 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 49 significant decision points across 2173.8 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 1.8 miles (US 27; US 52): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.3 miles (US 52; US 27): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.5 miles (I 74; US 52 / Northwest Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

High-altitude sections with notable climbs

6,100 ft 285 ft

Total Climb

5,771 ft

Total Descent

6,082 ft

Highest Point

6,100 ft

~1552.7 mi in

Elevation Range

5,816 ft

Notable High Points

6,100 ft at ~1552.7 miles +1,570 ft prominence

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Cincinnati, OH and Los Angeles, CA, road signs point toward Saint Louis, Memphis, Kansas City, Oklahoma City and Kilpatrick Turnpike West.

Saint Louis

342.8 mi in | ~6h 23m | via I 55; US 40

Memphis

346.2 mi in | ~6h 28m | via I 55

Kansas City

346.2 mi in | ~6h 28m | via I 55

Oklahoma City

730.6 mi in | ~13h 22m | via I 44; OK 66

Kilpatrick Turnpike West

832.2 mi in | ~15h 6m | via I 344

About the Cities

Starting in Cincinnati, OH

Full guide →

Founded 1788

Cincinnati is Ohio's third largest city and the largest metro region, and lies on the north bank of the Ohio River in Southwest Ohio in the United States of America. Cincinnati is distinct amongst Midwestern cities. Its culture is a mixture of the Northeast, Old South, Midwest, and Appalachia blended with a strong German-Catholic heritage. It was one of the United States' early boomtowns, and the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood is the largest National Historic District in the country. Today, it's part of a fast-growing metro area, and home to a remarkable blend of industry and architecture. Downtown Cincinnati is surrounded by picturesque foothills that add a beautiful backdrop to the Queen City and its legendary skyline – celebrated in the opening credits of television show WKRP in Cincinnati.

Top landmarks

  • • Carew Tower — skyscraper in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
  • • Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains — cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati in downtown Cincinnati...
  • • Cincinnati Observatory — other organization in Cincinnati, United States

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?

Solo Traveler

38h 11m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Long-haul drive route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 1033.3 miles on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — a 4-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 543 miles on day one.

Expect about $9.89 in tolls one way, starting with Will Rogers Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

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 10 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 1.8 miles (US 27; US 52): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.3 miles (US 52; US 27): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.5 miles (I 74; US 52 / Northwest Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Not recommended in a single day. At 38.2 hours each way, a round trip means 76.4 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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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