Concord, CA to Los Angeles, CA is 369.5 miles and takes about 6h 51m via Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck, with a fuel budget near $89 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip primarily stays within California, traversing the Pacific Coast region on its way south. Expect a largely highway-focused experience, making it a straightforward option for a single-day drive. It's a practical choice if you're looking to get from the Bay Area to Southern California efficiently.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
184.8 miles from Concord, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
224.4 mi
4h
I 5 Truck
63.9 mi
1h 13m
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
19.2 mi
22m
William Elton Brown Freeway
17 mi
18m
Hollywood Freeway
16.2 mi
20m
Donald D Doyle Highway
14.8 mi
17m
Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
4.8 mi
5m
Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 224.4 mi, about 4h
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 178 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~2,112 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,896
Quietest
2 AM
~397 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 89 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 Concord, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on Willow Pass Road
143 ft·8 sec·Willow Pass Road
2
Turn left onto East Street
423 ft·25 sec·East Street
3
Turn left onto Salvio Street
0.3 mi·45 sec·Salvio Street
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto Concord Avenue
0.4 mi·54 sec·Concord Avenue
5
Continue on Concord Avenue
0.1 mi·13 sec·Concord Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward CA 242 SouthUse the right lane.
7
Merge onto CA 242
1.7 mi·1 min·CA 242
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 680
4.8 mi·5 min·Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 680
1.4 mi·1 min·Donald D Doyle Highway
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
13 mi·15 min·Donald D Doyle Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 30AToward I 580 East: Livermore, StocktonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 580 East: Livermore, StocktonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 580: StocktonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 580
1.4 mi·1 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
18 mi·20 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
11 mi·11 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
5.9 mi·6 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
18
Merge onto I 5
224 mi·4 hr·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
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.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
5.3 mi·6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.5 mi·32 sec
Exit 153BToward CA 170 South: HollywoodUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on CA 170
16 mi·20 min·Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 2CToward BroadwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on West Aliso Street
409 ft·18 sec·West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
27
Turn right onto North Spring Street
0.3 mi·35 sec·North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
28
Turn left onto West 1st Street
354 ft·12 sec·West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
29
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 51m estimated drive time, leaving Concord in the morning should allow you to reach Los Angeles within daylight hours. With only one recommended stop, you can choose a convenient point for a break or fuel. Watch for the transition away from the Westside Freeway, as this marks the end of the longest highway segment. The estimated fuel cost is $89, so ensure you have this budgeted and plan your fill-ups accordingly, especially before the 224.4-mile stretch on the Westside Freeway.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 184.8 miles from Concord, CA, or about 3h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 224.4 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 81 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 184.8 miles or 3h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 39m
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 Concord, 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 Concord, CA
This is one driving day of about 369.5 miles and 6h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from Concord, 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 Westside Freeway for about 224.4 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 346.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Salvio Street
Turn left onto Salvio Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
22.5 mi into trip|~27m in
Take the exit toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 30A
Toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
8
22.7 mi into trip|~27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
7
23.4 mi into trip|~29m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 580: Stockton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 580: Stockton
8
346.7 mi into trip|~6h 22m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$84.18 one way
$168.37 round trip
$5.79/gal25.4 MPG avg129 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.96
$86.69
$173.37
premium
$6.14
$89.32
$178.64
diesel
$5.97
$86.80
$173.61
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$84
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$109–$134
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 129.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-09-07.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
110.9
1
$38.80
$17.74
Efficient EV
92.4
1
$32.33
$14.78
EV Truck/SUV
147.8
1
$51.73
$23.65
Gas CO2
129 kg
EV CO2
43 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 Sep 12, 2026
Origin
Concord, CA
Afternoon
in Concord on Saturday
Local time
3:57 PM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Mostly Clear
SSW 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued September 11 at 6:56PM PDT until September 12 at 3:00AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Lake Wind Advisory
Lake Wind Advisory issued September 11 at 6:28PM PDT until September 13 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Afternoon
in Los Angeles on Saturday
Local time
3:57 PM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Patchy Fog
SSE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued September 11 at 6:56PM PDT until September 12 at 3:00AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Lake Wind Advisory
Lake Wind Advisory issued September 11 at 6:28PM PDT until September 13 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
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
10 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
6h 51m 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.
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
National Memorial
On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two s...
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of American civilians on the WWII home front. Discover how diverse communities lived, worked, and interacted. Many faces, many stories, many truths...
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 344
Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park celebrates America’s maritime heritage on the Pacific Coast. Our 50-acre park has grown around Aquatic Park Cove, a protected area...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
Free
near mile 12.7
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...
27 mi from route
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 280.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 94% highway, so you'll be on asphalt for most of the 369.5 miles. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 224.4 miles, primarily on the Westside Freeway. After the extensive highway portion, you'll transition to surface roads for the final miles into Los Angeles. Be prepared for frequent exits and entrances as you navigate the urban areas approaching your destination.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 224.4 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 0.1 miles in near Salvio Street.
Driving Effort10/10
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 24 significant decision points across 369.5 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 0.1 miles (Salvio Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 22.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,932 ft75 ft
Total Climb
3,307 ft
Total Descent
3,098 ft
Highest Point
2,932 ft
~318.5 mi in
Elevation Range
2,856 ft
Notable High Points
2,932 ft at ~318.5 miles+1,302 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Concord, CA to Los Angeles, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Stockton along the way.
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 6h 51m. Total distance: 369.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 51m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 224.4 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 33 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 33 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Salvio Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 22.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.7 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.
