Origin
Los Angeles, CA
Late night in Los Angeles on Tuesday
Local time
3:40 AM
PDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Los Angeles, CA to Monterey, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 16m
Distance
321.4 mi
517 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$74
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 4m
★
6 AM
6h 17m
8 AM
6h 42m
10 AM
6h 26m
12 PM
6h 23m
3 PM
6h 27m
5 PM
6h 41m
8 PM
6h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Monterey, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Los Angeles to Monterey is 321.4 miles and takes about 6h 16m via El Camino Real, Westside Freeway, and I 5 Truck, with a fuel budget near $74 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive connects two points along California's Pacific Coast, traversing diverse landscapes that shift from urban to more open areas. With a recommended one-day itinerary, this route is manageable for most drivers looking for a direct path north. You’ll be covering a significant distance, so be prepared for a full day of driving. The route offers a mix of freeway and surface road driving, providing a varied experience as you head up the coast.
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
160.7 miles from Los Angeles, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 4m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| El Camino Real | 94.5 mi | 1h 49m |
| Westside Freeway | 57.7 mi | 1h 1m |
| I 5 Truck | 37.7 mi | 43m |
| Paso Robles Highway | 32.3 mi | 39m |
| Golden State Freeway | 29 mi | 33m |
| CA 41 | 24.4 mi | 28m |
| Monterey Salinas Highway | 15.6 mi | 20m |
| Hollywood Freeway | 15.5 mi | 19m |
Longest stretch:
El Camino Real
— 94.5 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles, CA and Monterey, 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
58 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
Westside Freeway
Toward I 5 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 278
Toward CA 46: Lost Hills, Paso Robles
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn left onto CA 46
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Paso Robles Highway
15
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
this road
16
Merge onto CA 46
30 mi
·
34 min
·
Paso Robles Highway
17
Continue on CA 46
6.8 mi
·
8 min
·
Antelope Road
18
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 41; CA 46
24 mi
·
28 min
·
CA 41; CA 46
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
20
Merge onto US 101
94 mi
·
1 hr 49 min
·
El Camino Real
Use the straight lane.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward Fairview Avenue
22
Turn left onto Fairview Avenue
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Fairview Avenue
23
Turn left onto South Sanborn Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Sanborn Road
Use the left lane.
24
Continue on East Blanco Road
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Blanco Road
Use the straight lane.
25
Turn left onto CA 68
0.6 mi
·
46 sec
·
South Main Street
Use the left lane.
26
Continue on CA 68
16 mi
·
20 min
·
Monterey Salinas Highway
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 401A
Toward Monterey
Use the slight right lane.
28
Keep slight left at fork
226 ft
·
7 sec
Use the straight lane.
29
Continue on CA 1 Business
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Fremont Street
Use the straight lane.
30
Continue on Fremont Street
194 ft
·
5 sec
·
Fremont Street
31
Continue on Munras Avenue
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Munras Avenue
32
Turn left onto Jefferson Street
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
Jefferson Street
33
Turn right onto Pacific Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Pacific Street
34
Turn right onto West Franklin Street
324 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Franklin Street
35
Arrive at destination
West Franklin Street
Trip Plan
For this 321.4-mile drive, leaving Los Angeles in the morning, ideally before 9 AM, will help you avoid the worst of the traffic. Since it's recommended for a single day, you can afford to be flexible with your stops. The longest stretch on surface roads is 94.5 miles on El Camino Real, so plan for that segment to take a bit longer than freeway portions. With a fuel cost estimated at $74, ensure your tank is full before you leave Los Angeles and consider topping up again if you see prices are significantly lower along the way, especially before hitting longer stretches without services.
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 160.7 miles from Los Angeles, CA, or about 3h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.5 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 71 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 160.7 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Monterey, 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 321.4 miles and 6h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Los Angeles, 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 El Camino Real for about 94.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
161 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 71 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 160.7 miles from Los Angeles, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before El Camino Real if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 94.5 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 255 decision points cluster between mile 24.5 and 320.3 — 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
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
8
142.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 41m in
Take the exit toward CA 46: Lost Hills, Paso Robles
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 278
Toward CA 46: Lost Hills, Paso Robles
7
320 mi into trip
|
~6h 13m in
Take the exit toward Monterey
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 401A
Toward Monterey
7
320.3 mi into trip
|
~6h 13m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$73.87 one way
$147.74 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
113 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $76.12 | $152.25 |
| premium | $6.18 | $78.16 | $156.32 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $70.96 | $141.92 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$74
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$99–$124
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 96.4 | 1 | $33.75 | $15.43 |
| Efficient EV | 80.4 | 0 | $28.12 | $12.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 128.6 | 1 | $45.00 | $20.57 |
Gas CO2
112 kg
EV CO2
38 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.
Destination
Monterey, CA
Late night in Monterey on Tuesday
Local time
3:40 AM
PDT
Current temp
67°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
12 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 16m 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?
This route has a highway share of 51%, meaning you'll spend about half the time on freeways and the other half on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a single road is 94.5 miles on El Camino Real. Expect a mixed driving profile, transitioning between higher-speed freeway cruising and more moderate speeds on surface streets. You'll notice an increase in exit density as you approach and leave urban areas, typical for this kind of coastal California drive.
51% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 94.5 mi on El Camino Real.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 Effort
10/10
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 25 significant decision points across 321.4 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 24.5 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.5 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 142.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Los Angeles, CA to Monterey, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Paso Robles along the way.
Paso Robles
142.1 mi in
|
~2h 41m
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 Monterey, CA
Full guide →Founded 1770
Monterey is a city (population 28,000 in 2018) in the Monterey County area of Monterey Bay in California. Monterey is one of the more beautiful coastal cities of California, and then a historic city can make for a great two-day trip for those visiting San Francisco or a weekend getaway for California natives. It has more historic buildings in its downtown than any other city west of Santa Fe, and a world-class aquarium.
Top landmarks
- • Monterey Bay Aquarium — nonprofit public aquarium in Monterey, California
- • Cathedral of San Carlos Borromeo — historic church in California, United States
- • Old Customhouse — custom house in Monterey, United States of America
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 16m. Total distance: 321.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 16m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 94.5 miles on El Camino Real. 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 Monterey, 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 24.5 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.5 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 142.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Monterey, 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Monterey, CA
More trips to Monterey, CA
Explore more options from Los Angeles, CA or browse trips ending in Monterey, CA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.