Lodi to Los Angeles is 351.7 miles and takes about 6h 31m via Westside Freeway/I 5 Truck/Hollywood Freeway, with a fuel budget near $81 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily sticks to major highways, making it a straightforward, albeit long, single-day trip. You'll be traveling within the Pacific Coast region for both your departure and arrival points. Expect a highway-focused experience with minimal detours, ideal if you're looking to get from point A to point B efficiently. Consider this a functional transit route, best suited for those prioritizing speed and directness.
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
175.8 miles from Lodi, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
250.2 mi
4h 28m
I 5 Truck
63.9 mi
1h 13m
Hollywood Freeway
16.2 mi
20m
CA 99
10.3 mi
11m
Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi
4m
Crosstown Freeway
2.4 mi
2m
CA 4
1.1 mi
2m
Cherokee Lane
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 250.2 mi, about 4h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lodi, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on South Sacramento Street
50 ft·4 sec·South Sacramento Street
2
Turn right onto East Lodi Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·East Lodi Avenue
3
Turn right onto CA 99 Business
1.0 mi·1 min·Cherokee Lane
4
Turn left onto CA 12
0.1 mi·19 sec·East Kettleman Lane
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
6
Merge onto CA 99
10 mi·11 min·CA 99
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward CA 4
8
Merge onto CA 4
2.4 mi·2 min·Crosstown Freeway
9
Take the exit onto CA 4
0.4 mi·50 sec·CA 4
Toward I 5: Sacramento
10
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 4
0.7 mi·1 min·CA 4
Toward I 5 South
11
Merge onto I 5; CA 4
13 mi·14 min·Westside Freeway
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi·48 sec·Westside Freeway
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
237 mi·4 hr 13 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
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.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
5.3 mi·6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi·32 sec
Exit 153BToward CA 170 South: HollywoodUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on CA 170
16 mi·20 min·Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 2CToward BroadwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on West Aliso Street
409 ft·18 sec·West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn right onto North Spring Street
0.3 mi·35 sec·North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
23
Turn left onto West 1st Street
354 ft·12 sec·West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
24
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 31m estimated duration, leaving Lodi early in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic as you approach Los Angeles. While this is a single-day drive, planning for one stop is factored in, so consider a mid-route break to stretch and refuel. The primary roads are well-trafficked, so be aware of changing traffic conditions, especially closer to your destination. With a fuel cost estimated around $81, ensure your tank is adequately full before embarking on the longest stretch of 250.2 miles on the Westside Freeway.
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 175.8 miles from Lodi, CA, or about 3h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 250.2 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 77 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 175.8 miles or 3h 13m 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 19m
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 Lodi, 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 Lodi, CA
This is one driving day of about 351.7 miles and 6h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 miles from Lodi, 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 250.2 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 328.9 and 351.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
328.9 mi into trip|~6h 2m 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
334.4 mi into trip|~6h 8m 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
351.1 mi into trip|~6h 29m 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
351.3 mi into trip|~6h 30m in|North Spring Street
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
351.6 mi into trip|~6h 31m in|West 1st Street
Turn left onto West 1st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$80.84 one way
$161.67 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg123 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$83.30
$166.60
premium
$6.18
$85.53
$171.06
diesel
$5.61
$77.65
$155.30
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$81
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$106–$131
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 123.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
105.5
1
$36.93
$16.88
Efficient EV
87.9
1
$30.77
$14.07
EV Truck/SUV
140.7
1
$49.24
$22.51
Gas CO2
123 kg
EV CO2
41 kg (67% 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 20, 2026
Origin
Lodi, CA
Late night
in Lodi on Tuesday
Local time
3:56 AM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Late night
in Los Angeles on Tuesday
Local time
3:56 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.
Temperature spread
4 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
6h 31m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is overwhelmingly a highway-focused drive, with 99% of your journey on major freeways. You'll encounter the Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, and the Hollywood Freeway, indicating a continuous stretch of high-speed travel. The longest uninterrupted segment spans 250.2 miles on the Westside Freeway, meaning you can settle in for a significant period without needing to navigate complex interchanges. The character of the road remains consistent, offering a predictable driving experience geared towards covering distance quickly.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 250.2 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 328.9 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 20 significant decision points across 351.7 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 328.9 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 334.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 351.1 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 6h 31m. Total distance: 351.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 31m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 250.2 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 328.9 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 334.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 351.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.0 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.
