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Trip from Escalon, CA to Los Angeles, CA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 13m

Distance

323.1 mi

520 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$74

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
6h 1m ★
6 AM
6h 14m
8 AM
6h 39m
10 AM
6h 23m
12 PM
6h 20m
3 PM
6h 24m
5 PM
6h 38m
8 PM
6h 6m

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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Downtown Escalon, CA, CA

Escalon, CA

Dominik Gryzbon

Downtown los-angeles-ca

Los Angeles, CA

Stephen Leonardi

Trip Overview

Embarking on a journey from Escalon, CA to Los Angeles, CA covers 344.3 miles and is estimated to take about 5 hours and 25 minutes of driving time. This drive is best suited as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination within a reasonable timeframe. With a projected fuel cost of around $80, it's a budget-friendly option for covering significant ground. The route primarily utilizes local roads, indicated by its 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, suggesting frequent navigation adjustments rather than a consistent highway pace. As both your origin and destination are within the Pacific Coast region, you'll remain within a familiar, generally accessible part of California.

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

161.5 miles from Escalon, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 10m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
CA 99 134.8 mi 2h 31m
Golden State Freeway 94.8 mi 1h 47m
Golden State Highway 58.6 mi 1h 2m
Hollywood Freeway 16.2 mi 20m
McHenry Avenue 10.5 mi 19m
I 5 Truck 5.6 mi 6m
L Street 0.7 mi 2m
5th Street 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: CA 99 — 134.8 mi, about 2h 31m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on CA 120

322 ft · 11 sec · Yosemite Avenue
2

Turn right onto J6

10 mi · 19 min · McHenry Avenue
3

Turn right onto CA 108

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Needham Street
4

Turn slight left onto CA 108

0.7 mi · 2 min · L Street
5

Turn left onto 5th Street

0.4 mi · 36 sec · 5th Street
6

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec
7

Merge onto CA 99

94 mi · 1 hr 47 min · CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99

41 mi · 44 min · CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99

59 mi · 1 hr 2 min · Golden State Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on CA 99

5.2 mi · 5 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

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.
12

Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99

58 mi · 1 hr 6 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

4.1 mi · 4 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

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.
15

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck

5.3 mi · 6 min · I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 32 sec
Exit 153B Toward CA 170 South: Hollywood Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Continue on CA 170

16 mi · 20 min · Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 17 sec
Exit 2C Toward Broadway Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Continue on West Aliso Street

409 ft · 18 sec · West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
20

Turn right onto North Spring Street

0.3 mi · 35 sec · North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
21

Turn left onto West 1st Street

354 ft · 12 sec · West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
22

Arrive at destination

West 1st Street

Trip Plan

For this 344.3-mile drive from Escalon to Los Angeles, departing early in the morning is your best bet to minimize traffic and maximize daylight hours. Since this is a single-day trip with a duration of around 5 hours and 25 minutes, you'll likely only need one significant stop for fuel and a break. Keep your fuel budget around $80 in mind. Given the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, ensure your navigation system is up-to-date and be prepared for frequent turns, especially as you get closer to Los Angeles. Paying close attention to road signs and local traffic patterns will be key to a smooth journey.

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 161.5 miles from Escalon, CA, or about 3h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 134.8 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 71 miles or 1h 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 161.5 miles or 3h 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 5h 4m

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 Escalon, 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 Escalon, CA

This is one driving day of about 323.1 miles and 6h 13m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Escalon, 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 CA 99 for about 134.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in California, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Tulare, CA

162 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

Madera, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 71 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Tulare, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 161.5 miles from Escalon, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before CA 99 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 134.8 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.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Central Kitchen at The Lorenzo

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Los Angeles, California

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 0min to go 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+12139082400

Visit website

Best coffee break · home stretch

Jurassic Magic Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Los Angeles, California

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 0min to go 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+12132639741

Visit website

Central Kitchen at The Lorenzo

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Los Angeles, California

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+12139082400

Visit website

Jurassic Magic Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Los Angeles, California

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+12132639741

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route

Lebec, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Lebec, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.2 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route

Lebec, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Merced, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Chowchilla, California

+18887800062

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

2.8 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Chowchilla, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Chowchilla, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

Early stretch 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

Fresno, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Los Angeles Plaza Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

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

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Los Angeles, California

Visit website

60out Escape Rooms - Silver Lake

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Los Angeles, California

Hours: 10 am–10:30 pm

+13233733101

Visit website

Veterans Memorial Community Regional Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour

Sylmar, California

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+18188337550

Visit website

Hatch Escapes

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour

Los Angeles, California

Hours: 5 pm–12 am

+13237478333

Visit website

Dearborn Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour

Northridge, California

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+18183633556

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 210.6 and 322.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
210.6 mi into trip | ~4h 3m 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
300.3 mi into trip | ~5h 44m 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
305.9 mi into trip | ~5h 51m 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
322.5 mi into trip | ~6h 12m 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
322.7 mi into trip | ~6h 13m in | North Spring Street

Turn right onto North Spring Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$74.26 one way

$148.52 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 113 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $76.53 $153.05
premium $6.18 $78.57 $157.15
diesel $5.61 $71.34 $142.67

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$74

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$99–$124

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 113 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 96.9 1 $33.93 $15.51
Efficient EV 80.8 0 $28.27 $12.92
EV Truck/SUV 129.2 1 $45.23 $20.68

Gas CO2

113 kg

EV CO2

38 kg (66% 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 16, 2026

Origin

Escalon, CA

Late night in Escalon on Tuesday

Local time

5:04 AM

PDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Los Angeles, CA

Late night in Los Angeles on Tuesday

Local time

5:04 AM

PDT

Current temp

55°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.

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

6 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 13m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This particular drive is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll experience a dynamic route with frequent changes in direction rather than a continuous highway experience. With a 0% highway share, expect to navigate through towns and local thoroughfares for the entire 344.3 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch is not specified, but the profile suggests a need for constant attention to navigation. This type of route often involves a mix of urban and suburban driving, with varying speed limits and traffic patterns as you progress southward.

78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 134.8 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 210.6 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 16 significant decision points across 323.1 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 210.6 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 300.3 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 305.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

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 6h 13m. Total distance: 323.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 13m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 134.8 miles on CA 99. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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

The main spots that need attention: at 210.6 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 300.3 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 305.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.5 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.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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