Origin
Fullerton, CA
Late night in Fullerton on Tuesday
Local time
3:56 AM
PDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fullerton, CA to Ladera Heights, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
46m
Distance
35.2 mi
57 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 43m
★
6 AM
0h 46m
8 AM
0h 54m
10 AM
0h 49m
12 PM
0h 48m
3 PM
0h 49m
5 PM
0h 54m
8 PM
0h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fullerton, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Ladera Heights, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Connecting Fullerton to Ladera Heights is a straightforward 35.2-mile journey that typically takes about 46 minutes under normal conditions. Because this trip is so manageable, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will spend the vast majority of your time cruising along major California freeways, making this an efficient transit between two Pacific Coast locations. With a fuel budget of approximately $8, it is an economical drive for commuters or visitors alike. Expect a practical, no-nonsense experience that prioritizes speed and direct connectivity across the region.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Artesia Freeway | 13.2 mi | 15m |
| Gardena Freeway | 5.5 mi | 6m |
| San Diego Freeway | 4.4 mi | 5m |
| West Artesia Boulevard | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| Riverside Freeway | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| I 405 ALT | 2.5 mi | 2m |
| South La Cienega Boulevard | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| South Harbor Boulevard | 1.1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Artesia Freeway
— 13.2 mi, about 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fullerton, CA and Ladera Heights, CA.
1
Start on West Commonwealth Avenue
312 ft
·
12 sec
·
West Commonwealth Avenue
2
Turn right onto South Harbor Boulevard
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Harbor Boulevard
Use the right lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward CA 91 West
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Merge onto CA 91
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Riverside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on CA 91
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Artesia Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on CA 91
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Gardena Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on West Artesia Boulevard
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
West Artesia Boulevard
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
Toward I 405 North: Santa Monica, San Diego Freeway
Use the right lane.
9
Merge onto I 405
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
Exit 46
Toward Los Angeles International Airport
Use the slight right lane.
11
Continue on I 405 ALT
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
I 405 ALT
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn straight onto South La Cienega Boulevard
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South La Cienega Boulevard
13
Turn slight right
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward Slauson Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn left onto West Slauson Avenue
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
West Slauson Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Turn right onto South Sherbourne Drive
402 ft
·
22 sec
·
South Sherbourne Drive
16
Turn left onto West 57th Street
319 ft
·
16 sec
·
West 57th Street
17
Turn right onto Bedford Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Bedford Avenue
18
Arrive at destination
Bedford Avenue
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 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 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 17.6 miles from Fullerton, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 30.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Harbor Boulevard
Turn right onto South Harbor Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
1.2 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward CA 91 West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward CA 91 West
5
1.5 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
CA 91 / Riverside Freeway
Merge onto CA 91 / Riverside Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
25.7 mi into trip
|
~32m in
Take the ramp toward I 405 North: Santa Monica, San Diego Freeway
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 405 North: Santa Monica, San Diego Fre...
7
30.4 mi into trip
|
~38m in
Take the exit toward Los Angeles International Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 46
Toward Los Angeles International Airport
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.09 one way
$16.18 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $8.34 | $16.67 |
| premium | $6.18 | $8.56 | $17.12 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.77 | $15.54 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.6 | 0 | $3.70 | $1.69 |
| Efficient EV | 8.8 | 0 | $3.08 | $1.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.1 | 0 | $4.93 | $2.25 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Ladera Heights, CA
Late night in Ladera Heights on Tuesday
Local time
3:56 AM
PDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
15 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
46m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This highway-focused route consists of 80% freeway driving, relying heavily on the Artesia Freeway, the Gardena Freeway, and the San Diego Freeway to bridge the gap. You should prepare for a consistent flow of traffic as you transition between these major arteries. The most significant stretch of open road you will encounter is a 13.2-mile segment on the Artesia Freeway, which serves as the backbone of your journey. Since the route lacks technical local roads, you will spend most of your time maintaining highway speeds rather than navigating winding or scenic byways.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 13.2 mi on Artesia Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Artesia Freeway and Gardena Freeway. 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 South Harbor Boulevard.
Driving Effort
7/10
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 11 decision points packed into just 35.2 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 46m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South Harbor Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles (CA 91 / Riverside Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Fullerton, CA to Ladera Heights, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Los Angeles International Airport along the way.
Los Angeles International Airport
30.4 mi in
|
~38m
About the Cities
Starting in Fullerton, CA
Full guide →Founded 1887
Fullerton is an inland city in north Orange County in Southern California. Situated just north of Anaheim and its far better-known tourist attractions, Fullerton has a few surprises up her sleeve.
Top landmarks
- • Fox Fullerton Theatre — theater and movie theater in Fullerton, California, United States
- • Fullerton Post Office
- • Hillcrest Park — historic park in Fullerton, California
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 46m. Total distance: 35.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 13.2 miles on Artesia Freeway. 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 Ladera Heights, CA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South Harbor Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles (CA 91 / Riverside Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. 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 Ladera Heights, CA before heading back.
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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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