Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
29m
Distance
21.8 mi
35 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
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
San Fernando, CA
Wikimedia Commons
If you are looking for a quick transition from Los Angeles to San Fernando, this 21.8-mile drive is a straightforward trip that typically takes just 29 minutes. Because the route is entirely within the Pacific Coast region, you won't need to worry about major climate shifts or extensive planning. It is easily manageable as a one-day trip, making it perfect for a morning errand or an afternoon commute. With an estimated fuel cost of only $3, it is an economical way to navigate between these two California hubs. Since there are no mandatory stops required, you can complete the journey in one efficient stretch.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Hollywood Freeway | 15.5 mi | 19m |
| Golden State Freeway | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| Chatsworth Drive | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Santa Ana Freeway | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| North Broadway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| West 1st Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| South Brand Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| San Fernando Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles, CA and San Fernando, 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
Take the exit
Turn right onto Chatsworth Drive
At end of road, turn left onto San Fernando Road
Turn right onto South Brand Boulevard
Turn uturn
Arrive at destination
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 21.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the ramp toward US 101 North, CA 110
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Brand Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
At end of road, turn left onto San Fernando Road
Lane positioning matters here
Turn uturn
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Regular Gas
$5.01 one way
$10.02 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $5.16 | $10.33 |
| premium | $6.18 | $5.30 | $10.60 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.81 | $9.63 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.5 | 0 | $2.29 | $1.05 |
| Efficient EV | 5.5 | 0 | $1.91 | $0.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8.7 | 0 | $3.05 | $1.40 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
10:50 AM
PDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Clear
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 18 at 1:22AM PDT until April 18 at 8:00AM PDT by NWS Eureka CA
Destination
Morning in San Fernando on Sunday
Local time
10:50 AM
PDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
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
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.
Expect a fast-paced, highway-focused experience, as 88% of this journey is spent on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating the Hollywood Freeway and the Golden State Freeway, which together provide the primary infrastructure for the trip. The longest uninterrupted section covers 15.5 miles along the Hollywood Freeway, allowing for steady highway cruising. As you move toward the final leg of the drive, the route transitions onto Chatsworth Drive, shifting from heavy-traffic freeway travel to local surface streets. It is a functional, no-frills drive designed for efficiency rather than leisure.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Hollywood Freeway and Golden State Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in.
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 10 decision points packed into just 21.8 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 29m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
“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).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 29m. Total distance: 21.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Los Angeles, CA or browse trips ending in San Fernando, CA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.
