Trip from Houston, TX to Los Angeles, CA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

26h 23m

Distance

1545.8 mi

2,488 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

3-day trip

Fuel Cost

$234

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 71 min

4 AM

26h 0m ★

6 AM

26h 24m

8 AM

27h 11m

10 AM

26h 40m

12 PM

26h 35m

3 PM

26h 43m

5 PM

27h 9m

8 PM

26h 9m

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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Houston, TX

Trace Hudson

Los Angeles, CA

Stephen Leonardi

Trip Overview

Traveling from Houston, Texas, to Los Angeles, California, is a major cross-country undertaking spanning 1,545.8 miles. You should budget approximately 26 hours and 23 minutes of pure driving time, making it impossible to complete in a single day. To keep the journey manageable, we recommend splitting the trip over 3 days. You will primarily navigate via I-10, transitioning from the Great Plains region into the Pacific Coast. With an estimated fuel cost of $230, this route requires careful financial and logistical planning. It is a serious long-distance drive that demands stamina and preparation, but it offers a direct path between these two major hubs.

Trip Pace

Best split across 3 days

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

Break Rhythm

7 planned breaks

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

Midpoint

772.9 miles from Houston, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 12h 52m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 10	546.1 mi	8h 46m
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway	426.5 mi	7h 23m
Katy Freeway	174.9 mi	3h 1m
Benson-Steins Pass Highway	88.4 mi	1h 28m
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway	54.5 mi	55m
San Bernardino Freeway	45.3 mi	52m
Tucson-Benson Highway	42.9 mi	44m
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway	38.1 mi	38m

Longest stretch: I 10 — 546.1 mi, about 8h 46m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Louisiana Street

0.1 mi · 24 sec · Louisiana Street

Use the straight / left lanes.

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 52 sec

Toward I 10 West: San Antonio

Merge onto I 10; US 90

175 mi · 3 hr 1 min · Katy Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130

1.9 mi · 1 min · I 10; US 90; TX 130

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 14 sec

Exit 591 Toward TX 1518: Schertz Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Interstate 10 East

Turn right onto FM 1518

5.4 mi · 9 min · Farm-to-Market Road 1518

At end of road, turn left onto FM 78

2.0 mi · 3 min · Gordon A Blake Highway

Turn left

0.2 mi · 21 sec

Take the ramp

265 ft · 6 sec

Toward Loop 1604 North

Merge onto Loop 1604

20 mi · 22 min · Anderson Loop

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec

Toward Frontage Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto North Loop 1604 West

0.2 mi · 25 sec · North Loop 1604 West

Turn right onto Interstate 10 West

0.3 mi · 24 sec · Interstate 10 West

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 19 sec

Toward I 10 West, US 87 North

Merge onto I 10; US 87

1.1 mi · 1 min · I 10; US 87

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87

543 mi · 8 hr 43 min · I 10; US 87

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Continue on I 10; US 85; US 180

1.1 mi · 1 min · Camino Real de Tierra Adentro

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 85; US 180

11 mi · 13 min · Camino Real de Tierra Adentro

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 10

164 mi · 2 hr 48 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway

Continue on I 10

88 mi · 1 hr 28 min · Benson-Steins Pass Highway

Continue on I 10

43 mi · 44 min · Tucson-Benson Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 10

6.0 mi · 6 min · South Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 10

3.7 mi · 4 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10

51 mi · 51 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 10

38 mi · 38 min · Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 10

12 mi · 13 min · Maricopa Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10

2.0 mi · 2 min · Papago Freeway

Use the slight left lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10

2.7 mi · 3 min · Papago Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 10

0.5 mi · 36 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel

Continue on I 10

20 mi · 22 min · Papago Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 10

125 mi · 2 hr 7 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10 Truck; US 95 Truck

0.2 mi · 18 sec · I 10 Truck; US 95 Truck

Merge onto I 10; US 95

97 mi · 1 hr 43 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway

Continue on I 10

34 mi · 36 min · Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 10

40 mi · 43 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 10

14 mi · 15 min · San Bernardino Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 EXPR

9.3 mi · 9 min · I-10 Metro ExpressLanes

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 10

1.2 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

0.9 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.3 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.9 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.9 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.6 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.4 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.5 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway

Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.1 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

2.0 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.6 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

2.6 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway

Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

12 mi · 14 min · San Bernardino Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto US 101

0.4 mi · 36 sec · Santa Ana Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 19 sec

Exit 2B Toward Alameda Street, Union Station Use the slight right lane.

Continue on I 10 EXPR

0.2 mi · 32 sec · East Arcadia Street

Use the left / straight lanes.

Turn left onto North Los Angeles Street

0.3 mi · 44 sec · North Los Angeles Street

Turn right onto East 1st Street

461 ft · 17 sec · East 1st Street

Arrive at destination

West 1st Street

Trip Plan

Given the 1,545.8-mile distance, pacing yourself is essential to avoid burnout. We suggest planning for at least 7 strategic stops to break up the monotony and ensure you stay refreshed throughout the 26-hour drive. Because of the long stretches between exits, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially during that 546.1-mile segment on I-10. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and stay ahead of your multi-day schedule. Since you are traveling across diverse regions, monitor local weather reports to ensure your 3-day itinerary remains on track as you head toward the West Coast.

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 3-day trip.

Plan roughly 7 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 772.9 miles from Houston, TX, or about 12h 52m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 546.1 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 3h 56m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 772.9 miles or 12h 52m 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 515.3 miles or 8h 40m

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 25h 14m

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 Houston, TX 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 3-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Houston, TX

Aim for roughly 515 miles and 8.8 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Keep the middle miles efficient

Aim for roughly 515 miles and 8.8 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 3

Finish the approach into Los Angeles, CA

Aim for roughly 515 miles and 8.8 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 220 miles from Houston, TX.

This route usually feels better as a 3-day drive than as one long push.

Plan about 7 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 10 for about 546.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in and county seat of Kimble County, Texas, United States

Early stop town

Coffee and fuel

Junction, TX

386 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.

city in and county seat of Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Las Cruces, NM

773 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 Las Cruces, NM

Late stop town

Final reset

Avondale, AZ

1159 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

Fort Davis, TX

515 mi · about 8.8h in

A practical overnight split lands near Fort Davis, TX after about 515 miles or 8.8 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Night 2

Tucson, AZ

1031 mi · about 17.6h in

A practical overnight split lands near Tucson, AZ after about 1031 miles or 17.6 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

San Antonio, TX

Fuel and coffee

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

Las Cruces, NM

Meal break

The midpoint is around 772.9 miles from Houston, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 546.1 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 515 miles or 8.8 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

Downtown Aquarium

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Houston, Texas

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Hours: 10 am–8:30 pm

+17132233474

Visit website

Cidercade Houston

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Houston, Texas

1.1 mi

Central Kitchen at The Lorenzo

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Los Angeles, California

2.3 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Jurassic Magic Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Los Angeles, California

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 1545.8

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+12132639741

Visit website

Downtown Aquarium

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: 10 am–8:30 pm

+17132233474

Visit website

Cidercade Houston

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: 10 am–12 pm

+13462417524

Visit website

Central Kitchen at The Lorenzo

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 1545.8

Los Angeles, California

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+12139082400

Visit website

Jurassic Magic Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 1545.8

Los Angeles, California

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+12132639741

Visit website

Children's Museum Houston

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+17135221138

Visit website

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 1435.4

Palm Springs, California

+17603226059

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 1435.4

Palm Springs, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 1435.4

Cathedral City, California

+18887584389

Visit website

Los Angeles Plaza Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 1545.8

Los Angeles, California

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12134855572

Visit website

Union Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Houston, Texas

+17132598070

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 220.8

Boerne, Texas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18307558080

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 39

5 decision points cluster between mile 177.4 and 1545 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

177.4 mi into trip | ~3h 5m in

Take the exit toward TX 1518: Schertz

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 591 Toward TX 1518: Schertz

205.7 mi into trip | ~3h 41m in

Take the exit toward Frontage Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Frontage Road

207.7 mi into trip | ~3h 44m in | I 10; US 87

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

751.9 mi into trip | ~12h 28m in | I 10; US 85; US 180 / Camino Real de Tierra Adentro

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 85; US 180 / Camino Real de Tierra Adentro

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

1545 mi into trip | ~26h 21m in

Take the exit toward Alameda Street, Union Station

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 2B Toward Alameda Street, Union Station

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$233.57 one way

$467.15 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 541 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.20	$255.67	$511.33
premium	$4.54	$275.99	$551.98
diesel	$5.61	$341.29	$682.59

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$234

Hotel (2n)

$160–$280

Meals

$75–$150

Total

$469–$664

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 540.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $162 in charging · 5 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	463.7	5	$162.31	$74.20
Efficient EV	386.5	4	$135.26	$61.83
EV Truck/SUV	618.3	7	$216.41	$98.93

Gas CO2

541 kg

EV CO2

181 kg (67% less)

This is a long EV road trip requiring 5 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

Houston, TX

Evening in Houston on Saturday

Local time

8:10 PM

CDT

Current temp

84°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 5 to 10 mph 68% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 18 at 8:20AM CDT until April 18 at 8:30AM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 18 at 8:18AM CDT until April 18 at 9:15AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

Destination

Los Angeles, CA

Evening in Los Angeles on Saturday

Local time

6:10 PM

PDT

Current temp

53°F

Mostly Clear

NE 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Freeze Warning

Freeze Warning issued April 18 at 1:22AM PDT until April 18 at 8:00AM PDT by NWS Eureka 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.

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

2 hours earlier

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

Temperature spread

31 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

26h 23m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Chamizal National Memorial

National Memorial

Chamizal is more than just an urban park to recreate or enjoy a quiet afternoon. These grounds are a reminder of the harmonious settlement of a 100-year boundary dispute between the United States and...

4 mi from route ~10 min detour Free near mile 746.2

View on nps.gov

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...

29 mi from route ~72 min detour Free near mile 213.2

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a consistent interstate experience, as 55% of this journey is spent on highways like the Katy Freeway and the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway. The road maintains a steady pace, though you should prepare for a significant 546.1-mile stretch on I-10 that serves as the longest uninterrupted segment of the trip. While the route is defined by high-speed efficiency, the sheer distance requires you to stay alert behind the wheel. As you transition from the Texas landscape toward the Pacific Coast, the road personality remains firmly rooted in long-haul interstate travel. It is a straightforward, high-mileage trek designed for those who need to cover ground quickly.

55% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.

57 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 546.1 mi on I 10.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

At 26h 23m, 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 177.4 miles in.

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 39 significant decision points across 1545.8 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 177.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 205.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 207.7 miles (I 10; US 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.

On the drive from Houston, TX to Los Angeles, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 1604 North along the way.

Loop 1604 North

185.3 mi in | ~3h 19m

About the Cities

Starting in Houston, TX

Full guide →

“Space City” · Founded 1836

Houston is a sprawling port city in Southeastern Texas. An oil boom and continuing international immigration has brought explosive growth to the city, and it is now the fifth largest metropolitan area in the United States and the most diverse large city since 2021. While at first glance, the city appears to be a 9-5 central business district surrounded by a sea of suburbs and strip malls, there are many hidden gems to be discovered.

Top landmarks

• Museum of Fine Arts, Houston — art museum in Houston, Texas
• Astrodome — historic place in Houston, Harris County, Texas
• Rothko Chapel — building in Houston, Harris County, Texas

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

26h 23m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Long-haul drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 546.1 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — a 3-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 515 miles on day one.

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

Yes — Chamizal National Memorial and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 26.4 hours each way, a round trip means 52.8 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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Explore more options from Houston, TX or browse trips ending in Los Angeles, CA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.

Trip from Houston, TX to Los Angeles, CA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Overnight Options

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Downtown Aquarium

Jurassic Magic Coffee

Downtown Aquarium

Cidercade Houston

Central Kitchen at The Lorenzo

Jurassic Magic Coffee

Children's Museum Houston

Tesla Supercharger

EVCS Charging Station

EVCS Charging Station

Tesla Destination Charger

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Destination Charger

Blink Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Los Angeles Plaza Park

Union Station

Vista Hermosa Natural Park, Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority

60out Escape Rooms - Silver Lake

Barbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area and Picnic Pavilion

Midtown Park

Waugh Drive Bat Colony

Cascade Caverns

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Houston, TX

Los Angeles, CA

2 hours earlier

31 degrees cooler at arrival

26h 23m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Chamizal National Memorial

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Houston, TX

Arriving in Los Angeles, CA

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Should I split this drive into multiple days?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

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