This 328-mile journey from Interlaken, CA to Los Angeles, CA will take approximately 5 hours and 18 minutes of driving time. Designed as a single-day adventure, this route offers a budget-friendly fuel cost of around $76. You'll navigate primarily using local roads like East Lake Avenue, Carlton Road, and Riverside Road, with no highway driving involved. The overall experience is a turn-heavy local drive, perfect for those who prefer a more engaging route over high-speed travel. Given its manageable duration, this trip is well-suited for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
163 miles from Interlaken, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
181.1 mi
3h 14m
I 5 Truck
63.9 mi
1h 13m
Pacheco Pass Highway
35.8 mi
42m
Hollywood Freeway
16.2 mi
20m
Riverside Road
6.8 mi
9m
Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi
4m
Bloomfield Avenue
3.9 mi
5m
Carlton Road
3.2 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 181.1 mi, about 3h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Interlaken, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on this road
91 ft·6 sec·this road
2
Keep slight right at fork
102 ft·8 sec
3
At end of road, turn right
0.1 mi·59 sec
4
At end of road, turn left onto CA 152
0.5 mi·47 sec·East Lake Avenue
5
Turn right onto Carlton Road
3.2 mi·6 min·Carlton Road
6
At end of road, turn left onto CA 129
6.8 mi·9 min·Riverside Road
7
Continue on CA 129
2.6 mi·3 min·Chittenden Road
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·31 sec
9
Merge onto US 101
2.4 mi·2 min·El Camino Real
10
Continue on US 101
3.1 mi·3 min·South Valley Freeway
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 353Toward CA 25 East
12
At end of road, turn left onto CA 25
0.7 mi·58 sec·Bloomfield Avenue
13
Continue on CR G7
3.2 mi·4 min·Bloomfield Avenue
Use the left lane.
14
Turn right onto CA 152
36 mi·42 min·Pacheco Pass Highway
15
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 5: Los Angeles
16
Merge onto I 5
181 mi·3 hr 14 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
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.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
5.3 mi·6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.5 mi·32 sec
Exit 153BToward CA 170 South: HollywoodUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on CA 170
16 mi·20 min·Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 2CToward BroadwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on West Aliso Street
409 ft·18 sec·West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
25
Turn right onto North Spring Street
0.3 mi·35 sec·North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
26
Turn left onto West 1st Street
354 ft·12 sec·West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
27
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
With a driving duration of just over 5 hours, this 328-mile trip is comfortably achievable in a single day. Consider departing from Interlaken early in the morning to maximize your daylight hours and avoid potential local traffic as you approach Los Angeles. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel, as the longest stretch of continuous driving is not specified, and local roads can sometimes be slower than anticipated. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially since the estimated fuel cost is $76, and ensure you have enough to reach your destination or a reliable refueling point along East Lake Avenue, Carlton Road, or Riverside Road.
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 163 miles from Interlaken, CA, or about 3h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 181.1 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 72 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 163 miles or 3h 9m 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 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 Interlaken, 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 Interlaken, CA
This is one driving day of about 326 miles and 6h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Interlaken, 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 181.1 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 303.3 and 326 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
303.3 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
308.8 mi into trip|~5h 50m 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
325.5 mi into trip|~6h 11m 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
325.7 mi into trip|~6h 12m in|North Spring Street
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
326 mi into trip|~6h 13m in|West 1st Street
Turn left onto West 1st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$74.93 one way
$149.86 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg114 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$77.21
$154.43
premium
$6.18
$79.28
$158.56
diesel
$5.61
$71.98
$143.95
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$75
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$100–$125
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 114.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
97.8
1
$34.23
$15.65
Efficient EV
81.5
0
$28.53
$13.04
EV Truck/SUV
130.4
1
$45.64
$20.86
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Interlaken, CA
Late night
in Interlaken on Tuesday
Local time
1:51 AM
PDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Late night
in Los Angeles on Tuesday
Local time
1:51 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
7 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
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 303.6
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...
28 mi from route
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 236.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a truly local driving experience on this route, as indicated by its 0% highway share. The drive is characterized by frequent turns, making it a 'turn-heavy local drive.' While the data doesn't specify a longest uninterrupted stretch, the nature of local roads suggests you'll be frequently adjusting your course. This means you'll be more involved with the journey, navigating through communities and varying road conditions rather than cruising on a consistent highway. The road's personality is one of constant engagement, requiring your full attention as you make your way from Interlaken to Los Angeles.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 181.1 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 303.3 miles in near I 5 Truck.
Driving Effort9/10
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 21 significant decision points across 326 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 303.3 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 308.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 325.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 13m. Total distance: 326 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 181.1 miles on Westside Freeway. 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 303.3 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 308.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 325.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and César E. Chávez National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.4 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.
