Le Grand to Los Angeles is 264.4 miles and takes about 5h 1m via Golden State Freeway, with a fuel budget near $61 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive cuts across California, moving from the Pacific Coast region to the same region, primarily on well-traveled highways. With a recommended one-day drive, this route offers a straightforward path for those looking to get between these two points efficiently. You'll spend most of your time on the freeway, making it a practical choice for a quick transit.
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
132.2 miles from Le Grand, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Golden State Freeway
94.8 mi
1h 47m
CA 99
80.4 mi
1h 28m
Golden State Highway
58.6 mi
1h 2m
Hollywood Freeway
16.2 mi
20m
I 5 Truck
5.6 mi
6m
South Minturn Road
5.3 mi
9m
Le Grand Road
1.2 mi
2m
Road 15
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Golden State Freeway
— 94.8 mi, about 1h 47m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 90 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~3,427 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,158
Quietest
2 AM
~610 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 80 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 Le Grand, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on Le Grand Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Le Grand Road
2
Turn left onto South Minturn Road
5.3 mi·9 min·South Minturn Road
3
Continue on Road 15
0.8 mi·1 min·Road 15
4
Turn right
133 ft·5 sec
5
Turn slight right onto Chowchilla Boulevard
0.2 mi·23 sec·Chowchilla Boulevard
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
7
Merge onto CA 99
39 mi·44 min·CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
41 mi·44 min·CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
59 mi·1 hr 2 min·Golden State Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on CA 99
5.2 mi·5 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
27 mi·30 min·Golden State Freeway
Toward CA 99 South: Los AngelesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 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 5-hour drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential traffic, especially as you near Los Angeles. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but planning for one stop around the halfway point is sensible. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the longest stretch without an exit is nearly 95 miles. The fuel cost is estimated at $61, so ensure your tank is full before departing Le Grand to comfortably cover the 264.4 miles.
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 132.2 miles from Le Grand, CA, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.8 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 58 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.2 miles or 2h 29m 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 4m
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 Le Grand, 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 Le Grand, CA
This is one driving day of about 264.4 miles and 5h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Le Grand, 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 Golden State Freeway for about 94.8 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 151.9 and 264 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
151.9 mi into trip|~2h 50m in|CA 99 / Golden State Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99 / Golden State Freeway toward CA 99 South: Los Angeles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 99 South: Los Angeles
8
241.6 mi into trip|~4h 32m 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
247.2 mi into trip|~4h 38m 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
263.8 mi into trip|~5h 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
264 mi into trip|~5h in|North Spring Street
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$65.94 one way
$131.89 round trip
$6.34/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.51
$67.77
$135.53
premium
$6.68
$69.50
$139.01
diesel
$6.20
$64.53
$129.06
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$66
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$91–$116
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-05.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.3
0
$27.76
$12.69
Efficient EV
66.1
0
$23.14
$10.58
EV Truck/SUV
105.8
1
$37.02
$16.92
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 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 Oct 11, 2026
Origin
Le Grand, CA
Late night
in Le Grand on Tuesday
Local time
4:00 AM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Mostly Clear
NW 5 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued October 11 at 4:33AM PDT until October 11 at 7:30AM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
High Wind Warning
High Wind Warning issued October 11 at 4:15AM PDT until October 11 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Late night
in Los Angeles on Tuesday
Local time
4:00 AM
PDT
Current temp
66°F
Rain Showers
NNW 5 to 10 mph83% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued October 11 at 4:33AM PDT until October 11 at 7:30AM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
High Wind Warning
High Wind Warning issued October 11 at 4:15AM PDT until October 11 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
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
15 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
5h 1m 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.
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 237
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
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 173.2
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 74% of the drive on freeways. You'll experience a substantial stretch of 94.8 miles on the Golden State Freeway without needing to exit. Expect a lot of freeway driving, which means consistent speeds but also plenty of exits to monitor as you approach your destination. The drive transitions from highway cruising to more varied road types as you get closer to Los Angeles.
74% 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: 94.8 mi on Golden State Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Golden State Freeway and CA 99. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 151.9 miles in near CA 99 / Golden State Freeway.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 264.4 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 151.9 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 241.6 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 247.2 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 5h 1m. Total distance: 264.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 94.8 miles on Golden State Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 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 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 151.9 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 241.6 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 247.2 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 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 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.
