Kelseyville, CA to Los Angeles, CA is 465.3 miles and takes about 8h 58m via Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, and Saint Helena Highway South, with a fuel budget near $107 and an overnight stay recommended. This drive connects two points within the Pacific Coast region, transitioning from northern California's landscapes to the southern part of the state. With 81% of the route on highways, expect a fairly direct path, though the total duration suggests breaking it up for a more relaxed experience. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to cover significant ground within California, keeping in mind the need for at least one overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
232.6 miles from Kelseyville, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
224.4 mi
4h
I 5 Truck
63.9 mi
1h 13m
Saint Helena Highway South
21.7 mi
25m
CA 175
19.7 mi
29m
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
19.2 mi
22m
William Elton Brown Freeway
17 mi
18m
Calistoga Street
16.5 mi
24m
Hollywood Freeway
16.2 mi
20m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 224.4 mi, about 4h
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 89 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~1,926 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,652
Quietest
2 AM
~360 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 44 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 Kelseyville, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on Main Street
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto CA 29; CA 175
3.6 mi·4 min·CA 29; CA 175
3
Turn right onto CA 175
6.9 mi·10 min·CA 175
4
Turn slight right onto CA 175
13 mi·19 min·CA 175
5
Turn right onto CA 29
16 mi·24 min·Calistoga Street
6
Continue on CA 29
1.0 mi·1 min·Lincoln Avenue
7
Turn left onto CA 29; CA 128
6.8 mi·7 min·Saint Helena Highway
8
Continue on CA 29; CA 128
2.4 mi·2 min·Main Street
9
Continue on CA 29; CA 128
22 mi·25 min·Saint Helena Highway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on CA 12; CA 29
1.3 mi·1 min·Napa–Vallejo Highway
11
Continue on CA 29
4.0 mi·4 min·Broadway Street
12
Continue on CA 29
1.8 mi·2 min·Sonoma Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on CA 29
1.1 mi·1 min·Sonoma Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn left onto Redwood Street
0.3 mi·44 sec·Redwood Street
Use the left / uturn lanes.
15
Turn right onto US 40 Hist
1.1 mi·1 min·Broadway Street
16
Turn slight left onto US 40 Hist
0.7 mi·1 min·Alameda Street
17
Turn left onto Curtola Parkway
7.1 mi·9 min·Curtola Parkway
Use the straight lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 780
0.7 mi·46 sec·I 780
Exit 7BToward I 680 South: Martinez, San Jose
19
Continue on I 680
8.0 mi·9 min·Benicia-Martinez Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
4.8 mi·5 min·Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 680
1.4 mi·1 min·Donald D Doyle Highway
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
13 mi·15 min·Donald D Doyle Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 30AToward I 580 East: Livermore, StocktonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 580 East: Livermore, StocktonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 580: StocktonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto I 580
1.4 mi·1 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
27
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
18 mi·20 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
11 mi·11 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
29
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
5.9 mi·6 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
30
Merge onto I 5
224 mi·4 hr·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
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.
34
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
5.3 mi·6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Take the exit
0.5 mi·32 sec
Exit 153BToward CA 170 South: HollywoodUse the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Continue on CA 170
16 mi·20 min·Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 2CToward BroadwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Continue on West Aliso Street
409 ft·18 sec·West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
39
Turn right onto North Spring Street
0.3 mi·35 sec·North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
40
Turn left onto West 1st Street
354 ft·12 sec·West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
41
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
Given the 8h 58m estimated drive time, splitting this trip over two days is advisable to avoid fatigue. Aim to depart early in the morning on your first day to maximize daylight hours. Plan for at least two stops along the way, which should include a refueling opportunity and a meal break. The longest stretch without a clear break is 224.4 miles, so be sure to fuel up before embarking on that segment. Consider spending your overnight in a town roughly halfway, allowing for a fresh start on the second day.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 232.6 miles from Kelseyville, CA, or about 4h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 224.4 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 102 miles or 2h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 232.6 miles or 4h 40m 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 232.6 miles or 4h 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 7h 46m
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 Kelseyville, 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 Kelseyville, CA
Aim for roughly 233 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Los Angeles, CA
Aim for roughly 233 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 102 miles from Kelseyville, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 224.4 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 89.9 and 442.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
89.9 mi into trip|~2h 1m in|I 780
Keep slight left at fork onto I 780 toward I 680 South: Martinez, San Jose
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 7B
Toward I 680 South: Martinez, San Jose
8
118.2 mi into trip|~2h 34m in
Take the exit toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 30A
Toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
8
118.5 mi into trip|~2h 34m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
7
119.2 mi into trip|~2h 36m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 580: Stockton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 580: Stockton
8
442.5 mi into trip|~8h 29m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$97.35 one way
$194.69 round trip
$5.31/gal25.4 MPG avg163 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$101.10
$202.20
premium
$5.67
$103.78
$207.55
diesel
$4.80
$87.86
$175.71
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$97
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$227–$337
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 162.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $49 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
139.6
1
$48.86
$22.33
Efficient EV
116.3
1
$40.71
$18.61
EV Truck/SUV
186.1
2
$65.14
$29.78
Gas CO2
163 kg
EV CO2
54 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 Jul 16, 2026
Origin
Kelseyville, CA
Morning
in Kelseyville on Sunday
Local time
10:19 AM
PDT
Current temp
90°F
Sunny
W 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 4:05PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 16 at 1:29PM PDT until July 16 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Morning
in Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
10:19 AM
PDT
Current temp
92°F
Sunny
SSW 5 to 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 4:05PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 16 at 1:29PM PDT until July 16 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
2 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
8h 58m 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.
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
National Memorial
On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two s...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 96.3
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of American civilians on the WWII home front. Discover how diverse communities lived, worked, and interacted. Many faces, many stories, many truths...
16 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 80.2
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
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 449.2
Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park celebrates America’s maritime heritage on the Pacific Coast. Our 50-acre park has grown around Aquatic Park Cove, a protected area...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
Free
near mile 96.3
Walk among old growth coast redwoods, cooling their roots in the fresh water of Redwood Creek and lifting their crowns to reach the sun and fog. Federally protected as a National Monument since 1908,...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
$15
near mile 80.2
Experience a park so rich it supports 19 distinct ecosystems with over 2,000 plant and animal species. Go for a hike, enjoy a vista, have a picnic or learn about the centuries of overlapping history f...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 80.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend most of your time on highways, which make up 81% of this 465.3-mile trip. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 224.4 miles along the Westside Freeway. Expect to transition from highway cruising to surface roads as you get closer to your destination, likely experiencing more frequent exits and merges in urban areas as you approach Los Angeles.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 224.4 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 89.9 miles in near I 780.
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 27 significant decision points across 465.3 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 89.9 miles (I 780): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
3,832 ft59 ft
Total Climb
5,550 ft
Total Descent
6,649 ft
Highest Point
3,832 ft
~398.8 mi in
Elevation Range
3,773 ft
Notable High Points
2,226 ft at ~33.2 miles+843 ft prominence
931 ft at ~132.9 miles+588 ft prominence
3,832 ft at ~398.8 miles+2,635 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Kelseyville, CA and Los Angeles, CA, road signs point toward San Jose and Stockton.
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
The longest stretch is about 224.4 miles on Westside Freeway. 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 233 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 89.9 miles (I 780): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.0 hours each way, a round trip means 18.0 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.
