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Trip from Livermore, CA to Los Angeles, CA

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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

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
6h 3m ★
6 AM
6h 16m
8 AM
6h 41m
10 AM
6h 25m
12 PM
6h 22m
3 PM
6h 26m
5 PM
6h 40m
8 PM
6h 8m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in Alameda County, California, United States

Livermore, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown los-angeles-ca

Los Angeles, CA

Stephen Leonardi

Trip Overview

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 .

Main Roads

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
Longest stretch: Westside Freeway — 224.4 mi, about 4h

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Livermore, CA and Los Angeles, CA.

1

Start on CR J2

0.1 mi · 18 sec · South Livermore Avenue
2

Continue on CR J2

1.2 mi · 2 min · North Livermore Avenue
3

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Toward I 580 East: Stockton
4

Merge onto I 580

11 mi · 13 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
5

Keep slight right at fork onto I 580

11 mi · 11 min · William Elton Brown Freeway
6

Keep slight left at fork onto I 580

5.9 mi · 6 min · William Elton Brown Freeway
7

Merge onto I 5

224 mi · 4 hr · Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck

58 mi · 1 hr 6 min · I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

4.1 mi · 4 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck

0.3 mi · 17 sec · I 5 Truck
Exit 158 Toward I 405 South Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck

5.3 mi · 6 min · I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 32 sec
Exit 153B Toward CA 170 South: Hollywood Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Continue on CA 170

16 mi · 20 min · Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 17 sec
Exit 2C Toward Broadway Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Continue on West Aliso Street

409 ft · 18 sec · West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
16

Turn right onto North Spring Street

0.3 mi · 35 sec · North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
17

Turn left onto West 1st Street

354 ft · 12 sec · West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
18

Arrive at destination

West 1st Street

Trip Plan

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 169.8 miles from Livermore, CA, or about 3h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 224.4 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 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.

Before You Leave

+

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.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Livermore, 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 Westside Freeway for about 224.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city and county seat of Kern County, California, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bakersfield, CA

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.

Popular next leg

Bakersfield, CA to Los Angeles, CA

111.9 mi · 2h 11m

Pacing Suggestions

Turlock, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 75 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Coalinga, CA

Meal break

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 check

Top 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.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

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.

8
316.8 mi into trip | ~5h 46m 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
322.4 mi into trip | ~5h 53m 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
339 mi into trip | ~6h 14m 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
339.2 mi into trip | ~6h 15m in | North Spring Street

Turn right onto North Spring Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
7
339.5 mi into trip | ~6h 15m in | West 1st Street

Turn left onto West 1st Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$78.05 one way

$156.11 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 119 kg CO2
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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 19, 2026

Origin

Livermore, CA

Late night in Livermore on Tuesday

Local time

3:20 AM

PDT

Current temp

--

Unavailable

Destination

Los Angeles, CA

Late night in Los Angeles on Tuesday

Local time

3:20 AM

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.

Road read

6h 15m on the road

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.

What kind of drive is this?

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.

99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 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?

8/10

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 316.8 miles in near I 5 Truck.

Driving Effort 8/10

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.

About the Cities

Starting in Livermore, CA

Full guide →

Founded 1869

Top landmarks

  • Concannon Vineyard — the second-largest winery in the Livermore Valley of California
  • Livermore Carnegie Library and Park — Carnegie library in Livermore, California, United States
  • Bank of Italy — historic place in Livermore, California

Arriving in Los Angeles, CA

Full guide →

“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

  • 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

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 224.4 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

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.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.5 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.

How this page is built

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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