This 80.1-mile drive from Lake Los Angeles to Los Angeles, CA, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking an estimated 1 hour and 39 minutes. With about 67% of the journey on highways, it's a straightforward commute focused on efficient travel. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $18, making it a budget-friendly option for many. You'll primarily navigate the Antelope Valley Freeway and the Hollywood Freeway, experiencing a typical Southern California highway experience. Given its relatively short duration and highway-centric profile, this route is ideal for a quick transition between the Pacific Coast regions.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.1 miles from Lake Los Angeles, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Antelope Valley Freeway
29.6 mi
32m
East Palmdale Boulevard
16.5 mi
22m
Hollywood Freeway
16.2 mi
20m
I 5 Truck
5.6 mi
6m
Sierra Highway
5.2 mi
6m
Golden State Freeway
2.6 mi
3m
170th Street East
2.3 mi
3m
North Spring Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Antelope Valley Freeway
— 29.6 mi, about 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Los Angeles, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on 169th Street East
11 ft·5 sec·169th Street East
2
Turn left onto Park Valley Avenue
318 ft·18 sec·Park Valley Avenue
3
Turn right onto 170th Street East
2.3 mi·3 min·170th Street East
4
Turn right onto East Palmdale Boulevard
12 mi·17 min·East Palmdale Boulevard
5
Enter roundabout onto CA 138
154 ft·5 sec·East Palmdale Boulevard
6
Continue on CA 138
4.1 mi·5 min·East Palmdale Boulevard
7
Turn left onto US 6 Hist
4.2 mi·4 min·Sierra Highway
8
At end of road, turn right onto US 6 Hist
1.0 mi·1 min·Sierra Highway
Use the right lane.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward CA 14 South: Los Angeles
10
Merge onto CA 14
29 mi·31 min·Antelope Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 14
1.0 mi·1 min·Antelope Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·36 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 5
2.6 mi·3 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
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.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
5.3 mi·6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·32 sec
Exit 153BToward CA 170 South: HollywoodUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on CA 170
16 mi·20 min·Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 2CToward BroadwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on West Aliso Street
409 ft·18 sec·West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn right onto North Spring Street
0.3 mi·35 sec·North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
21
Turn left onto West 1st Street
354 ft·12 sec·West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
22
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
For this relatively short, 1-hour-and-39-minute drive, you have the flexibility to depart at a time that suits you best, though avoiding peak rush hour on the Hollywood Freeway is always a good idea. With no designated stops in the data, you can easily make this an express trip or add personal detours as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel, with an estimated cost of $18 for the 80.1 miles. A practical tip for this route is to be aware of potential traffic slowdowns as you enter the Los Angeles area, particularly on the Hollywood Freeway, so factor in a little extra time if you're on a tight schedule.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 40.1 miles from Lake Los Angeles, CA, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.6 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 18 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.1 miles or 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 23m
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 Lake Los Angeles, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lake Los Angeles, CA
This is one driving day of about 80.1 miles and 1h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Lake Los Angeles, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Antelope Valley Freeway for about 29.6 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 57.3 and 80.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
57.3 mi into trip|~1h 10m 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
62.9 mi into trip|~1h 16m 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
79.6 mi into trip|~1h 38m 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
79.8 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|North Spring Street
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
80.1 mi into trip|~1h 39m in|West 1st Street
Turn left onto West 1st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.41 one way
$36.82 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$18.97
$37.94
premium
$6.18
$19.48
$38.96
diesel
$5.61
$17.69
$35.37
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24
0
$8.41
$3.84
Efficient EV
20
0
$7.01
$3.20
EV Truck/SUV
32
0
$11.21
$5.13
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 15, 2026
Origin
Lake Los Angeles, CA
Afternoon
in Lake Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
12:23 PM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Afternoon
in Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
12:23 PM
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
13 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
1h 39m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 80.1-mile stretch, with 67% of the route utilizing major freeways. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll encounter is 29.6 miles on the Antelope Valley Freeway. As you progress, the drive will transition from the Antelope Valley Freeway onto East Palmdale Boulevard before merging with the Hollywood Freeway into Los Angeles. This progression means you'll move from more open freeway conditions to busier, more urban freeway driving as you approach your destination.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 29.6 mi on Antelope Valley Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Antelope Valley Freeway and East Palmdale Boulevard. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 57.3 miles in near I 5 Truck.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 80.1 miles you will encounter 18 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 57.3 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 62.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.6 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 1h 39m. Total distance: 80.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (67%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 29.6 miles on Antelope Valley Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 57.3 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 62.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Los Angeles, CA before heading back.
