Los Angeles to Eldridge is 414.3 miles and takes about 7h 52m via I-5 Truck and Golden State Freeway, with a fuel budget near $95 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily takes you through California's Pacific Coast region, offering a highway-focused experience for a single-day journey. With 85% of the route on highways, expect a steady pace for most of the trip. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground between these two points within the state.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
207.1 miles from Los Angeles, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
225.6 mi
4h 1m
I 5 Truck
37.7 mi
43m
Golden State Freeway
29 mi
33m
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
19.6 mi
22m
William Elton Brown Freeway
17 mi
18m
Hollywood Freeway
15.5 mi
19m
Donald D Doyle Highway
15.2 mi
17m
Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
12.9 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 225.6 mi, about 4h 1m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 89 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~1,926 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,652
Quietest
2 AM
~360 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 44 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 Los Angeles, CA and Eldridge, 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 161AToward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 TruckUse 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
226 mi·4 hr 1 min·Westside Freeway
Toward I 5 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
16 mi·17 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
Toward I 580 West: Tracy, San Francisco
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580 Bypass
1.1 mi·1 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
15
Merge onto I 580
18 mi·20 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
1.6 mi·1 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·16 sec
Exit 44BToward I 680 South, I 680 North: San Jose, Sacramento, Concord, Walnut CreekUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·30 sec
Toward I 680 North: Walnut Creek, Concord, SacramentoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 680
15 mi·17 min·Donald D Doyle Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 680
5.0 mi·5 min·Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Toward I 680, CA 24Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 680
6.0 mi·6 min·Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Toward I 680 North: Martinez, SacramentoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 680
243 ft·3 sec·Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
1.8 mi·2 min·Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Use the slight right lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 780
6.7 mi·7 min·I 780
Toward I 780: BeniciaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: SacramentoUse the slight right lane.
26
Keep slight left at fork
448 ft·11 sec
Toward I 80 East: SacramentoUse the slight left lane.
27
Merge onto I 80
2.7 mi·3 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 33Toward CA 37: Napa, Novato, Auto Mall, Columbus ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward CA 37: NapaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on CA 37
1.5 mi·1 min·CA 37
Toward CA 37Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 19Toward CA 29: Napa, Sonoma BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Turn right onto CA 29
1.6 mi·1 min·Sonoma Boulevard
Use the right lane.
33
Continue on CA 29
4.0 mi·4 min·Broadway Street
Use the straight lane.
34
Continue on CA 29
1.3 mi·1 min·Napa–Vallejo Highway
Use the left lane.
35
Continue on CA 12; CA 29
2.6 mi·3 min·Saint Helena Highway
36
Turn left onto CA 12; CA 121
4.4 mi·6 min·Carneros Highway
Use the left / uturn lanes.
37
Continue on CA 12; CA 121
0.8 mi·1 min·Fremont Drive
38
Turn right onto Napa Road
4.3 mi·6 min·Napa Road
39
Continue on Leveroni Road
1.8 mi·3 min·Leveroni Road
40
At end of road, turn right onto Arnold Drive
3.6 mi·6 min·Arnold Drive
41
Enter roundabout onto Arnold Drive
101 ft·3 sec·Arnold Drive
42
Continue on Arnold Drive
2.1 mi·4 min·Arnold Drive
43
Turn right onto Harney
0.3 mi·1 min·Harney
44
Turn right onto Railroad
0.2 mi·46 sec·Railroad
45
Arrive at destination
Trestle Glen Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour 52-minute duration, departing Los Angeles in the morning is recommended to allow ample time before reaching Eldridge. With only 2 recommended stops, you can plan for a couple of breaks to stretch your legs and refuel. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 225.6 miles, so ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on this segment. Since this is a single-day trip with a highway-focused profile, you have flexibility in your departure time, but aim to leave early to avoid potential traffic leaving the Los Angeles area.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 207.1 miles from Los Angeles, CA, or about 3h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 225.6 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 91 miles or 1h 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 207.1 miles or 3h 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Eldridge, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Los Angeles, CA
This is one driving day of about 414.3 miles and 7h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 91 miles from Los Angeles, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 225.6 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 36
5 decision points cluster between mile 24.5 and 382 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
8
346.6 mi into trip|~6h 22m in
Take the exit toward I 680 South, I 680 North: San Jose, Sacramento, Concord, Walnut Creek
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 44B
Toward I 680 South, I 680 North: San Jose, Sacr...
9
346.7 mi into trip|~6h 22m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 680 North: Walnut Creek, Concord, Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 680 North: Walnut Creek, Concord, Sacr...
8
367.2 mi into trip|~6h 46m in|I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway toward I 680 North: Martinez, Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 680 North: Martinez, Sacramento
8
382 mi into trip|~7h 4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 East: Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 80 East: Sacramento
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$93.90 one way
$187.81 round trip
$5.76/gal25.4 MPG avg145 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.96
$97.15
$194.30
premium
$6.09
$99.37
$198.73
diesel
$5.40
$88.13
$176.26
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$94
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$119–$144
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 145 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
124.3
1
$43.50
$19.89
Efficient EV
103.6
1
$36.25
$16.57
EV Truck/SUV
165.7
2
$58.00
$26.52
Gas CO2
145 kg
EV CO2
48 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 24, 2026
Origin
Los Angeles, CA
Afternoon
in Los Angeles on Saturday
Local time
1:18 PM
PDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Eldridge, CA
Afternoon
in Eldridge on Saturday
Local time
1:18 PM
PDT
Current temp
--
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Road read
7h 52m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
National Memorial
On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two s...
5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 371.4
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of American civilians on the WWII home front. Discover how diverse communities lived, worked, and interacted. Many faces, many stories, many truths...
16 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 371.4
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 28.6
Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park celebrates America’s maritime heritage on the Pacific Coast. Our 50-acre park has grown around Aquatic Park Cove, a protected area...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
Free
near mile 357.1
Walk among old growth coast redwoods, cooling their roots in the fresh water of Redwood Creek and lifting their crowns to reach the sun and fog. Federally protected as a National Monument since 1908,...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
$15
near mile 385.7
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
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 85.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This highway-focused drive accounts for 85% of your journey, meaning you'll spend most of your time on major freeways like the Westside Freeway, I-5 Truck, and Golden State Freeway. You'll encounter one significant stretch of 225.6 miles on the Westside Freeway, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. The overall character is one of efficient travel, designed to get you to your destination with minimal detours. Expect a relatively straightforward driving experience without much variation in road type.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
45 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 225.6 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 24.5 miles in near I 5 Truck.
Driving Effort10/10
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 36 significant decision points across 414.3 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 24.5 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 346.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 346.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Los Angeles, CA and Eldridge, CA, road signs point toward San Francisco, Sacramento, Concord, Walnut Creek, Novato and Auto Mall.
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 7h 52m. Total distance: 414.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 52m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 225.6 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 Eldridge, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 24.5 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 346.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 346.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.9 hours each way, a round trip means 15.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Eldridge, CA before the return drive.
