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Trip from Los Angeles, CA to Buttonwillow, CA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 27m

Distance

126.4 mi

203 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
2h 17m ★
6 AM
2h 27m
8 AM
2h 47m
10 AM
2h 34m
12 PM
2h 32m
3 PM
2h 35m
5 PM
2h 46m
8 PM
2h 21m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown los-angeles-ca

Los Angeles, CA

Stephen Leonardi

Downtown Buttonwillow, CA, CA

Buttonwillow, CA

Anna Arysheva

Trip Overview

This 126.4-mile drive from Los Angeles, CA to Buttonwillow, CA is a straightforward, highway-focused journey perfect for a single day trip. Expect to spend about 2 hours and 27 minutes on the road, primarily navigating on I 5 Truck, Westside Freeway, and the Golden State Freeway, with 95% of the route being highway driving. With a fuel cost estimated at $29, it's an economical option for a quick transition within the Pacific Coast region. The drive is efficient and largely uninterrupted, making it ideal for those looking to cover ground without extensive stops. Consider this an easy, accessible option for getting from the LA area further north in California.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

63.2 miles from Los Angeles, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 15m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 5 Truck 37.7 mi 43m
Westside Freeway 37.2 mi 39m
Golden State Freeway 29 mi 33m
Hollywood Freeway 15.5 mi 19m
McKittrick Highway 3.9 mi 5m
Santa Ana Freeway 0.7 mi <1m
North Broadway 0.4 mi <1m
Hageman Road 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 5 Truck — 37.7 mi, about 43m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on West 1st Street

0.1 mi · 32 sec · West 1st Street
2

Turn right onto North Broadway

0.4 mi · 49 sec · North Broadway
3

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Toward US 101 North, CA 110
4

Merge onto US 101

0.7 mi · 55 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
5

Continue on US 101

15 mi · 19 min · Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight left at fork

0.9 mi · 59 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Merge onto I 5

4.5 mi · 5 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

2.2 mi · 2 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck

1.5 mi · 1 min · I 5 Truck
Exit 161A Toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck

36 mi · 41 min · I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

22 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

37 mi · 39 min · Westside Freeway
Toward I 5 North Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit onto CA 58

0.2 mi · 34 sec · CA 58
Exit 257 Toward CA 58: Buttonwillow, McKittrick
14

Continue on CA 58

0.3 mi · 29 sec · Tracy Avenue
15

At end of road, turn right onto CA 58

0.3 mi · 27 sec · Hageman Road
16

Continue on CA 58

3.9 mi · 5 min · McKittrick Highway
17

Turn right onto North Main Street

347 ft · 17 sec · North Main Street
18

Turn right onto East 1st Street

49 ft · 2 sec · East 1st Street
19

Arrive at destination

East 1st Street

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short 126.4-mile distance and 2 hour 27 minute duration, this trip is easily manageable in one day. You can depart Los Angeles at your leisure, though an earlier start can help you avoid potential LA traffic. The longest stretch without a break is 37.7 miles, so plan for a brief stop for fuel or a stretch about midway if needed, especially since there are no designated stops included in this data. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $29, and ensure you have enough to comfortably reach Buttonwillow. The flexibility of a shorter drive means you can adjust your timing as needed.

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 63.2 miles from Los Angeles, CA, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.7 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 28 miles or 35m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 63.2 miles or 1h 15m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buttonwillow, CA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles, CA

This is one driving day of about 126.4 miles and 2h 27m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Los Angeles, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 5 Truck for about 37.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Val Verde, CA

63 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Santa Clarita, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Val Verde, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 63.2 miles from Los Angeles, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 16.9 and 84.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
16.9 mi into trip | ~22m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
22.3 mi into trip | ~28m in | I 5 / Golden State Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Golden State Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
24.5 mi into trip | ~31m in | I 5 Truck

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 161A Toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
6
26.1 mi into trip | ~33m in | I 5 Truck

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
84.5 mi into trip | ~1h 40m in | I 5 / Westside Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 / Westside Freeway toward I 5 North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 5 North

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$29.05 one way

$58.10 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 44 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $29.94 $59.88
premium $6.18 $30.74 $61.48
diesel $5.61 $27.91 $55.82

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$29

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$54–$79

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 44.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 37.9 0 $13.27 $6.07
Efficient EV 31.6 0 $11.06 $5.06
EV Truck/SUV 50.6 0 $17.70 $8.09

Gas CO2

44 kg

EV CO2

15 kg (66% 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 16, 2026

Origin

Los Angeles, CA

Morning in Los Angeles on Sunday

Local time

11:58 AM

PDT

Current temp

73°F

Mostly Sunny

SW 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Lake Wind Advisory

Lake Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 2:48PM PDT until April 16 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 2:48PM PDT until April 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Hanford CA

Destination

Buttonwillow, CA

Morning in Buttonwillow on Sunday

Local time

11:58 AM

PDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

49°F

Val Verde, CA

63 mi in

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

23 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

2h 27m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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

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 21.8
View on nps.gov
César E. Chávez National Monument

César E. Chávez National Monument

National Monument

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...

27 mi from route ~67 min detour Free near mile 87.2
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

The personality of this drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 95% of the 126.4 miles on major freeways like I 5 Truck and the Golden State Freeway. You'll experience long, uninterrupted stretches, including one that lasts 37.7 miles on I 5 Truck. This means the drive is characterized by consistent speeds and a predictable pace, with minimal deviations onto local roads. While not particularly varied, its consistent highway nature makes it efficient for covering distance. Be prepared for a steady, fast-paced experience behind the wheel.

95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 37.7 mi on I 5 Truck.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 Truck and Westside Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16.9 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 15 significant decision points across 126.4 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 16.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.3 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.5 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

About the Cities

Starting 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

Arriving in Buttonwillow, CA

Full guide →

Buttonwillow is a small town on Interstate 5 in Kern County in the San Joaquin Valley of California.

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 2h 27m. Total distance: 126.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 37.7 miles on I 5 Truck. 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 Buttonwillow, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 16.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.3 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.5 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Buttonwillow, CA before heading back.

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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Buttonwillow, CA to Los Angeles, CA

Plan the drive back the other way.

125.6 mi 2h 26m

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