Origin
Livermore, CA
Late night in Livermore on Tuesday
Local time
3:20 AM
PDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 15m
Distance
339.6 mi
547 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$78
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Livermore, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Livermore, CA to Los Angeles, CA is 339.6 miles and takes about 6h 15m via Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, and William Elton Brown Freeway, with a fuel budget near $78 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route traverses the Pacific Coast region, primarily staying on the highway for most of its length. Given its efficiency, this trip is best suited for a single-day drive, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. Plan for a straightforward transit with minimal detours.
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
169.8 miles from Livermore, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 4m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 224.4 mi | 4h |
| I 5 Truck | 63.9 mi | 1h 13m |
| William Elton Brown Freeway | 17 mi | 18m |
| Hollywood Freeway | 16.2 mi | 20m |
| Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway | 11.4 mi | 13m |
| Golden State Freeway | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| North Livermore Avenue | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| North Spring Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Livermore, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
Start on CR J2
Continue on CR J2
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 580
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
Merge onto I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
Take the exit
Continue on CA 170
Take the exit
Continue on West Aliso Street
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Turn left onto West 1st Street
Arrive at destination
To make the most of this direct drive, aim to depart Livermore early in the morning to avoid potential traffic as you get closer to Los Angeles. With a driving time of around 6 hours and 15 minutes, it's entirely feasible to complete this in one day. You'll encounter one recommended stop, but with a fuel cost estimate of $78, ensure your tank is adequately filled before heading out, especially before the longest stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as services can be more spaced out on certain highway segments.
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 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 75 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 169.8 miles or 3h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Los Angeles, CA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Livermore, 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 Livermore, CA
This is one driving day of about 339.6 miles and 6h 15m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
170 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 75 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 169.8 miles from Livermore, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 224.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 316.8 and 339.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 405 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Broadway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto West 1st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$78.05 one way
$156.11 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $80.43 | $160.87 |
| premium | $6.18 | $82.59 | $165.17 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $74.98 | $149.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$78
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$103–$128
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 118.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 101.9 | 1 | $35.66 | $16.30 |
| Efficient EV | 84.9 | 0 | $29.72 | $13.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 135.8 | 1 | $47.54 | $21.73 |
Gas CO2
119 kg
EV CO2
40 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Livermore on Tuesday
Local time
3:20 AM
PDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Los Angeles on Tuesday
Local time
3:20 AM
PDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Road read
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Expect to spend 99% of this 339.6-mile drive on highways, with the longest continuous stretch covering 224.4 miles on the Westside Freeway. You'll experience mostly highway cruising, with the transition to surface roads likely occurring near your destination. This route is characterized by consistent freeway speeds and a high volume of exits as you approach urban areas.
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 316.8 miles in near I 5 Truck.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 339.6 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 316.8 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 322.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 339 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Founded 1869
Top landmarks
“Tinseltown” · Founded 1781
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 15m. Total distance: 339.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 15m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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