Central Kitchen at The Lorenzo
Near the start, short detour
Los Angeles, California
Hours: 9 am–9 pm
+12139082400
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
12h 28m
Distance
645 mi
1,038 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$135
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Myrtletown, CA
Erik Mclean
Los Angeles to Myrtletown is 645 miles and takes about 12 hours 28 minutes via Redwood Highway, with a fuel budget near $146 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a long-haul drive that stays within California, beginning in the Pacific Coast region and ending in the same area. Given the duration, it's best planned as a two-day trip to avoid excessive driving time. You'll spend over half the trip on highways, making for a generally efficient but long travel day.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
322.5 miles from Los Angeles, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 55m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 225.6 mi | 4h 1m |
| Redwood Highway | 183.7 mi | 3h 44m |
| Saint Helena Highway | 51.2 mi | 59m |
| 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 |
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
Averaged across 44 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles, CA and Myrtletown, CA.
Start on West 1st Street
Turn right onto North Broadway
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 101
Continue on US 101
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580 Bypass
Merge onto I 580
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 680
Continue on I 680
Keep slight left at fork onto I 680
Keep slight left at fork onto I 680
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
Keep slight left at fork onto I 780
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 80
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on CA 37
Take the exit
Turn right onto CA 29
Continue on CA 29
Continue on CA 29
Continue on CA 12; CA 29
Continue on CA 29; CA 128
Continue on CA 29; CA 128
Continue on CA 128
Continue on CA 128
Continue on CA 128
At end of road, turn right onto CA 128
Turn left onto CA 128
Take the exit onto CA 128
Merge onto US 101; CA 128
Continue on US 101
Take the exit
Merge onto US 101
Continue on US 101
Take the exit
Turn right onto Herrick Avenue
Continue on Fairway Drive
Continue on F Street
Turn right onto Oak Street
At end of road, turn left onto H Street
Turn right onto Harris Street
Turn left onto Hubbard Lane
Turn left onto Myrtle Avenue
Turn right onto Trinity Street
Turn left onto Robbie Lane
Arrive at destination
For this 12-hour-plus drive, splitting it over two days is highly recommended. Aim for an early morning start on day one to cover a good portion of the 645 miles. With three recommended stops, plan to break up the longest stretch of 225.6 miles on Westside Freeway. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you move away from major urban centers, with an estimated cost of $146 for gas. Consider Myrtletown as your overnight destination to break up the drive comfortably.
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.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 142 miles or 2h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 322.5 miles or 5h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 322.5 miles or 5h 55m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 11h 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Myrtletown, CA than in the middle of the route.
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.
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Los Angeles, CA
Aim for roughly 323 miles and 6.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Myrtletown, CA
Aim for roughly 323 miles and 6.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
213 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
426 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Windsor, CANight 1
323 mi · about 6.2h in
A practical overnight split lands near Windsor, CA after about 323 miles or 6.2 hours of driving.
Find hotelsA short stop after about 142 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 322.5 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 Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 225.6 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 323 miles or 6.2 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Best meal stop
Los Angeles, California
Near the start, short detour
Hours: 9 am–9 pm
+12139082400
Best coffee break
Los Angeles, California
Near the start, short detour
Hours: 8 am–4 pm
+12132639741
Near the start, short detour
Los Angeles, California
Hours: 9 am–9 pm
+12139082400
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Los Angeles, California
Hours: 8 am–4 pm
+12132639741
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Firebaugh, California
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Leggett, California
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18888950027
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Firebaugh, California
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18337484267
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Willits, California
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Firebaugh, California
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Eureka, California
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Eureka, California
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18663003827
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Willits, California
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18888950027
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Willits, California
+17074594201
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Leggett, California
Hours: 8:45 am–7:15 pm
+17079256464
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Los Angeles, California
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+12134855572
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Los Angeles, California
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Eureka, California
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+17074414263
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Eureka, California
Hours: 8 am–4 pm
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Eureka, California
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+17074414263
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Los Angeles, California
Hours: 10 am–10:30 pm
+13233733101
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Eureka, California
+17074414263
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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.
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
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
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
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
Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 East: Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$134.94 one way
$269.88 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.52 | $140.15 | $280.30 |
| premium | $5.67 | $143.86 | $287.71 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $121.79 | $243.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$135
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$265–$375
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 225.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $68 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 193.5 | 2 | $67.73 | $30.96 |
| Efficient EV | 161.3 | 1 | $56.44 | $25.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 258 | 3 | $90.30 | $41.28 |
Gas CO2
226 kg
EV CO2
75 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Los Angeles on Saturday
Local time
7:51 PM
PDT
Current temp
92°F
Sunny
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 16 at 12:00PM PDT until July 16 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 16 at 11:39AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Destination
Evening in Myrtletown on Saturday
Local time
7:51 PM
PDT
Current temp
63°F
Partly Sunny
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 16 at 12:00PM PDT until July 16 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 16 at 11:39AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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National Historical Park
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National Recreation Area
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National Monument
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,...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
You'll be on highways for 55% of this 645-mile trip. The longest stretch on a single highway is 225.6 miles on Westside Freeway. Expect to transition from highway driving to surface roads as you progress. This route features significant highway mileage, suggesting a more straightforward drive with fewer turns for much of the distance.
At 12h 28m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. 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.
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 45 significant decision points across 645 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.
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
Total Climb
4,024 ft
Total Descent
4,189 ft
Highest Point
2,504 ft
~46.1 mi in
Elevation Range
2,471 ft
Notable High Points
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Los Angeles, CA and Myrtletown, CA, road signs point toward San Francisco, Sacramento, Concord, Walnut Creek, Novato and Auto Mall.
San Francisco
Sacramento
Concord
Walnut Creek
Novato
Auto Mall
“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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Solo Traveler
12h 28m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Long-haul drive route profile with national parks nearby.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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