King City to Los Angeles is 256.6 miles and takes about 4h 59m via I 5 Truck, Westside Freeway, and El Camino Real, with a fuel budget near $59 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within California's Pacific Coast region, offering a straightforward trip down the coast. It's a single-day option, perfect if you're looking to get to Los Angeles efficiently without needing an overnight stop. Expect a mostly highway experience for the bulk of your travel time.
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
128.3 miles from King City, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5 Truck
63.9 mi
1h 13m
Westside Freeway
56.8 mi
1h
El Camino Real
48.9 mi
56m
Paso Robles Highway
32.3 mi
38m
CA 46
24.5 mi
28m
Hollywood Freeway
16.2 mi
20m
Antelope Road
5.3 mi
6m
Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 5 Truck
— 63.9 mi, about 1h 13m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 130 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~2,386 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,189
Quietest
2 AM
~409 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.8×
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 King City, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on South Third Street
106 ft·7 sec·South Third Street
2
Turn right onto CR G13; US 101 BUS
0.2 mi·31 sec·Broadway Street
3
Turn right
181 ft·7 sec
Toward US 101 BUS, CR G15: South First Street
4
Turn straight onto CR G15; US 101 BUS
1.1 mi·2 min·South First Street
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward US 101: US 101 South
6
Merge onto US 101
49 mi·56 min·El Camino Real
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward CA 46 East: Fresno, Bakersfield
8
Turn left onto CA 46
24 mi·28 min·CA 46
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
Merge onto CA 41; CA 46
1.4 mi·1 min·CA 41; CA 46
10
Turn slight right
490 ft·6 sec
11
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 46
5.3 mi·6 min·Antelope Road
12
Continue on CA 46
32 mi·38 min·Paso Robles Highway
Use the slight left lane.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·24 sec
14
Merge onto I 5
57 mi·1 hr·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
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.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
5.3 mi·6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi·32 sec
Exit 153BToward CA 170 South: HollywoodUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on CA 170
16 mi·20 min·Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 2CToward BroadwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on West Aliso Street
409 ft·18 sec·West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn right onto North Spring Street
0.3 mi·35 sec·North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
24
Turn left onto West 1st Street
354 ft·12 sec·West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
25
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 59m estimated drive time, you can easily complete this trip in one day. Aim to leave King City in the morning to take advantage of daylight and avoid the worst of potential traffic entering Los Angeles. Your longest stretch without a major road change is 63.9 miles on I 5 Truck, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point. With a fuel cost estimated at $59, factor this into your budget. Keep an eye on traffic conditions as you get closer to the Los Angeles area, especially on Westside Freeway.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 128.3 miles from King City, CA, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.9 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 56 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.3 miles or 2h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 3m
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 King City, 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 King City, CA
This is one driving day of about 256.6 miles and 4h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from King City, 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 I 5 Truck for about 63.9 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 233.9 and 256.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
233.9 mi into trip|~4h 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
7
239.4 mi into trip|~4h 36m 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
256.1 mi into trip|~4h 57m 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
256.3 mi into trip|~4h 58m in|North Spring Street
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
256.6 mi into trip|~4h 58m in|West 1st Street
Turn left onto West 1st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.68 one way
$107.37 round trip
$5.31/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$55.75
$111.51
premium
$5.67
$57.23
$114.46
diesel
$4.80
$48.45
$96.90
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
EV Charging Along Route
38 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Tesla Oasis - Tesla Supercharger
Lost Hills, CA
Tesla
164 DCFC
Tejon Ranch, CA – Outlets at Tejon Pkwy - Tesla Supercharger
Arvin, CA
Tesla
76 DCFC
Paso Robles, CA - Golden Hill Road - Tesla Supercharger
Paso Robles, CA
Tesla
43 DCFC
Lebec, CA - Tesla Supercharger
Lebec, CA
Tesla
38 DCFC
Tejon Ranch, CA - Tesla Supercharger
Lebec, CA
Tesla
24 DCFC
Santa Clarita, CA - Newhall Ranch Road - Tesla Supercharger
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77
0
$26.94
$12.32
Efficient EV
64.2
0
$22.45
$10.26
EV Truck/SUV
102.6
1
$35.92
$16.42
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 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 Jul 20, 2026
Origin
King City, CA
Late night
in King City on Monday
Local time
3:27 AM
PDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Cloudy
NNW 2 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 19 at 6:43PM PDT until July 21 at 5:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 19 at 3:37PM PDT until July 20 at 6:00PM PDT by NWS Eureka CA
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Late night
in Los Angeles on Monday
Local time
3:27 AM
PDT
Current temp
66°F
Mostly Cloudy then Patchy Fog
SSW 0 to 10 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 19 at 6:43PM PDT until July 21 at 5:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 19 at 3:37PM PDT until July 20 at 6:00PM 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.
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
8 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
4h 59m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Pinnacles National Park
National Park
Around 23 million years ago, a series of volcanic eruptions shaped the landscape that is now Pinnacles National Park. The remnants of these ancient eruptions have formed a striking terrain of rocky sp...
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 230.1
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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 168.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 65% of it on freeways. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 63.9 miles on I 5 Truck before transitioning to surface roads. Be prepared for frequent exits and merging traffic as you approach and navigate through urban areas. The shift from freeway to roads like El Camino Real will likely mean slower speeds and more local traffic.
65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 63.9 mi on I 5 Truck.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 Truck and Westside Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 233.9 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 19 significant decision points across 256.6 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 233.9 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 239.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 256.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,272 ft275 ft
Total Climb
3,790 ft
Total Descent
3,839 ft
Highest Point
3,272 ft
~183.3 mi in
Elevation Range
2,997 ft
Notable High Points
3,272 ft at ~183.3 miles+517 ft prominence
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 King City, CA to Los Angeles, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Bakersfield along the way.
King City is a city in the central region of California between San Jose and San Luis Obispo. Considered the mid-way point between Central and Southern California, King City is both a popular pit-stop for drivers, and a nice little town to visit.
Top landmarks
•Cueva Pintada, Monterey County, California — Prehistoric rock shelter covered with white, red, black, and ochre pictographs b...
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 4h 59m. Total distance: 256.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 63.9 miles on I 5 Truck. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 21 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 21 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 233.9 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 239.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 256.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pinnacles National Park, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and César E. Chávez National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Los Angeles, CA, but most travelers stay overnight.
