Johnstonville, CA to Los Angeles, CA is 550.1 miles and takes about 11 hours 3 minutes via US 395, with a fuel budget near $121 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route takes you from the Pacific Coast region down to Los Angeles, also within the Pacific Coast region, entirely within California. It's a long-haul drive, best split over two days to avoid fatigue. You'll be covering a significant distance, so plan your overnight stop strategically. Consider this option if you're looking for a direct path south with minimal detours.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
275 miles from Johnstonville, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 395
109.1 mi
2h 21m
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
104.6 mi
2h 2m
Route 395
64.5 mi
1h 14m
Martin Luther King Junior Memorial Highway
50.9 mi
57m
Antelope Valley Freeway
49.1 mi
54m
Main Street
43.8 mi
53m
Aerospace Highway
42.1 mi
47m
Midland Trail
22 mi
25m
Longest stretch:
US 395
— 109.1 mi, about 2h 21m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,430 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~622 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 10 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 Johnstonville, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on Johnstonville Road
163 ft·6 sec·Johnstonville Road
2
Turn right onto US 395
0.4 mi·32 sec·Route 395
3
Continue on US 395
64 mi·1 hr 14 min·Route 395
4
Continue on US 395
51 mi·57 min·Martin Luther King Junior Memorial Highway
5
Turn left onto US 395
11 mi·14 min·South Carson Street
Use the left lane.
6
Take the exit
488 ft·13 sec
7
Turn straight onto NV 88
0.3 mi·42 sec·Woodfords Road
8
Enter roundabout onto County Road
144 ft·2 sec·County Road
9
Continue on County Road
1.1 mi·2 min·County Road
10
At end of road, turn right onto US 395
66 mi·1 hr 30 min·US 395
Use the left lane.
11
Turn left onto Emigrant Street
0.5 mi·42 sec·Emigrant Street
12
At end of road, turn right onto Sinclair Street
0.1 mi·13 sec·Sinclair Street
13
Turn left onto US 395
44 mi·53 min·Main Street
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 395
44 mi·50 min·US 395
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn right onto North Barlow Lane
1.0 mi·1 min·North Barlow Lane
16
Turn left onto CA 168
1.5 mi·2 min·West Line Street
17
Turn right onto US 395; CA 168; US 6 Hist
2.4 mi·3 min·South Main Street
18
Continue on US 395; CA 168; US 6 Hist
5.0 mi·5 min·El Camino Sierra
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on US 395; CA 168; US 6 Hist
7.4 mi·8 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
0.2 mi·32 sec·North Main Street
21
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
26 mi·31 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
0.7 mi·1 min·North Edwards Street
23
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
15 mi·17 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
2.2 mi·4 min·North Main Street
25
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
56 mi·1 hr 4 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
7.0 mi·8 min·Blue Star Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 14; US 6 Hist
6.4 mi·7 min·Aerospace Highway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on CA 14; CA 178; US 6 Hist
22 mi·25 min·Midland Trail
29
Continue on CA 14; US 6 Hist
20 mi·23 min·Aerospace Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
At end of road, turn left onto CA 14; CA 58 BUS; US 6 Hist
4.7 mi·6 min·Sierra Highway
Use the left lane.
31
Continue on CA 14
16 mi·16 min·Aerospace Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Continue on CA 14; CA 138
48 mi·53 min·Antelope Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 14
1.0 mi·1 min·Antelope Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·36 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Merge onto I 5
2.6 mi·3 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
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.
37
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
5.3 mi·6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Take the exit
0.5 mi·32 sec
Exit 153BToward CA 170 South: HollywoodUse the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Continue on CA 170
16 mi·20 min·Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 2CToward BroadwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Continue on West Aliso Street
409 ft·18 sec·West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
42
Turn right onto North Spring Street
0.3 mi·35 sec·North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
43
Turn left onto West 1st Street
354 ft·12 sec·West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
44
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
Given the 11-hour estimated drive time, it's highly recommended to break this trip into two days. Aim to leave Johnstonville early in the morning to make the most of your first day's driving. With 3 recommended stops, plan to cover roughly half the distance on day one, finding a suitable overnight location around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 109.1-mile stretch on US 395, as services can be spaced out in some rural areas. Refueling before leaving more populated areas is a wise precaution.
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 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 275 miles from Johnstonville, CA, or about 5h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109.1 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 121 miles or 2h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 275 miles or 5h 37m 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 275 miles or 5h 37m
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 9h 52m
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 Johnstonville, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Johnstonville, CA
Aim for roughly 275 miles and 5.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Los Angeles, CA
Aim for roughly 275 miles and 5.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 121 miles from Johnstonville, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 395 for about 109.1 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 128 and 549.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
128 mi into trip|~2h 29m in|US 395
At end of road, turn right onto US 395
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
527.3 mi into trip|~10h 33m 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
532.9 mi into trip|~10h 40m 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
549.6 mi into trip|~11h 1m 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
549.8 mi into trip|~11h 2m in|North Spring Street
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$121.95 one way
$243.91 round trip
$5.63/gal25.4 MPG avg193 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.81
$125.85
$251.70
premium
$5.98
$129.58
$259.15
diesel
$5.60
$121.26
$242.52
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$122
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$252–$362
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 192.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $58 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
165
2
$57.76
$26.40
Efficient EV
137.5
1
$48.13
$22.00
EV Truck/SUV
220
2
$77.01
$35.21
Gas CO2
192 kg
EV CO2
64 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Aug 10, 2026
Origin
Johnstonville, CA
Late night
in Johnstonville on Wednesday
Local time
1:49 AM
PDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Late night
in Los Angeles on Wednesday
Local time
1:49 AM
PDT
Current temp
89°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued August 10 at 12:48PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued August 10 at 12:10PM MST until August 10 at 8:00PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
11 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
11h 3m 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.
Devils Postpile National Monument
National Monument
Established in 1911 by presidential proclamation, Devils Postpile National Monument protects and preserves the Devils Postpile formation, the 101-foot high Rainbow Falls, and pristine mountain scenery...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 246.6
Park Closure: Reds Meadow Road Access Restrictions in 2026
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 531.1
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...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 455.3
Not just a great valley, but a shrine to human foresight, the strength of granite, the power of glaciers, the persistence of life, and the tranquility of the High Sierra. First protected in 1864, Yose...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
$35
near mile 227.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive has 45% of its mileage on highways. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 109.1 miles on US 395 before potentially transitioning to surface roads. Expect a significant portion of your time to be spent on this main artery, offering a mix of rural cruising and potentially some more developed sections as you approach your destination. The transition from highway to non-highway driving will be noticeable.
45% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
44 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 109.1 mi on US 395.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
At 11h 3m, 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 128 miles in near US 395.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 550.1 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 128 miles (US 395): Lane positioning matters here; at 527.3 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 532.9 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
Long-haul drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 109.1 miles on US 395. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 275 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 6 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 3 meaningful breaks. There are 6 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 128 miles (US 395): Lane positioning matters here; at 527.3 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 532.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Devils Postpile National Monument, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and César E. Chávez National Monument (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 11.1 hours each way, a round trip means 22.1 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.
