Trip from Los Angeles, CA to South Oroville, CA

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

Drive Time

8h 25m

Distance

451.1 mi

726 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$94

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min

4 AM

8h 18m ★

6 AM

8h 25m

8 AM

8h 40m

10 AM

8h 31m

12 PM

8h 29m

3 PM

8h 31m

5 PM

8h 40m

8 PM

8h 21m

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

Best Time

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Los Angeles, CA

Stephen Leonardi

South Oroville, CA

Stephen Leonardi

Trip Overview

This 451.1-mile drive from Los Angeles to South Oroville, California, will take approximately 8 hours and 25 minutes of driving time. With a 96% highway share, it's a route primarily focused on efficient travel, making it best suited for a two-day trip to avoid an overly long single day behind the wheel. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $104. You'll be traversing the Pacific Coast region for both your departure and arrival points, experiencing a landscape that transitions from Southern California to the northern part of the state. Planning for two stops along the way is recommended to break up the journey.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

225.6 miles from Los Angeles, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 11m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Westside Freeway	304.9 mi	5h 29m
CA 70	45.4 mi	53m
I 5 Truck	37.7 mi	43m
Golden State Freeway	29 mi	33m
Hollywood Freeway	15.5 mi	19m
Golden State Highway	7.5 mi	8m
Bernie Richter Memorial Highway	5 mi	5m
B Street	1.5 mi	3m

Longest stretch: Westside Freeway — 304.9 mi, about 5h 29m

Traffic on I-5

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 214 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

3 PM

~3,927 veh/hr typical · worst 5,115

Quietest

2 AM

~561 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

7×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

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 South Oroville, CA.

Start on West 1st Street

0.1 mi · 32 sec · West 1st Street

Turn right onto North Broadway

0.4 mi · 49 sec · North Broadway

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 30 sec

Toward US 101 North, CA 110

Merge onto US 101

0.7 mi · 55 sec · Santa Ana Freeway

Continue on US 101

15 mi · 19 min · Hollywood Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.9 mi · 59 sec

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 5

4.5 mi · 5 min · Golden State Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

2.2 mi · 2 min · Golden State Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck

36 mi · 41 min · I 5 Truck

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

22 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

226 mi · 4 hr 1 min · Westside Freeway

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

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

26 mi · 27 min · Westside Freeway

Keep left at fork onto I 5

54 mi · 59 min · Westside Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 99

7.5 mi · 8 min · Golden State Highway

Toward CA 99 North, CA 70: Yuba City, Marysville Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on CA 99

5.0 mi · 5 min · Bernie Richter Memorial Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 70

22 mi · 25 min · CA 70

Toward CA 70 North: Marysville, Oroville Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto 5th Street

0.2 mi · 38 sec · 5th Street

Turn left onto B Street

1.5 mi · 3 min · B Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on CA 70

24 mi · 27 min · CA 70

Use the left lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 21 sec

Toward CA 162

Turn right onto CA 162

1.3 mi · 2 min · Oroville Dam Boulevard East

Turn right onto Lincoln Street

0.5 mi · 58 sec · Lincoln Street

Turn right onto Elgin Street

369 ft · 16 sec · Elgin Street

Arrive at destination

Elgin Street

Trip Plan

Given the 8-hour 25-minute duration, splitting this 451.1-mile drive over two days is highly advisable. Aim to depart Los Angeles early in the morning to maximize your daylight hours for the first leg. Consider breaking your trip near the end of the longest stretch, the 304.9-mile segment on Westside Freeway, to find a convenient overnight stop. With two recommended stops, ensure you plan for fuel and rest breaks, keeping the $104 fuel cost in mind.

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.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 225.6 miles from Los Angeles, CA, or about 4h 11m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 304.9 miles.

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 99 miles or 1h 55m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 225.6 miles or 4h 11m 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 225.6 miles or 4h 11m

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 7h 11m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Oroville, 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.

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 226 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into South Oroville, CA

Aim for roughly 226 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 99 miles from Los Angeles, CA.

This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 304.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Stanislaus County, California, United States

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Turlock, CA

226 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 Turlock, CA

Overnight Options

Night 1

Turlock, CA

226 mi · about 4.2h in

A practical overnight split lands near Turlock, CA after about 226 miles or 4.2 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Bakersfield, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 99 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Turlock, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 225.6 miles from Los Angeles, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 304.9 miles.

Overnight split

1.3 mi from route

Rest Area

1.6 mi from route

Rest Area

1.8 mi from route

Petro Stopping Centers

2 mi from route

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 20

5 decision points cluster between mile 16.9 and 401.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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.

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

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

389.4 mi into trip | ~7h 9m in | CA 99 / Golden State Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 99 / Golden State Highway toward CA 99 North, CA 70: Yuba City, Marysville

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward CA 99 North, CA 70: Yuba City, Marysvill...

401.8 mi into trip | ~7h 23m in | CA 70

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 70 toward CA 70 North: Marysville, Oroville

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward CA 70 North: Marysville, Oroville

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$94.38 one way

$188.75 round trip

$5.31/gal 25.4 MPG avg 158 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.52	$98.02	$196.03
premium	$5.67	$100.61	$201.22
diesel	$4.80	$85.18	$170.35

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$94

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$224–$334

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 157.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $47 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	135.3	1	$47.37	$21.65
Efficient EV	112.8	1	$39.47	$18.04
EV Truck/SUV	180.4	2	$63.15	$28.87

Gas CO2

158 kg

EV CO2

53 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.

Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026

Origin

Los Angeles, CA

Morning in Los Angeles on Sunday

Local time

8:08 AM

PDT

Current temp

92°F

Sunny

SSW 5 to 10 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Extreme Heat Warning

Extreme Heat Warning issued July 16 at 1:29PM PDT until July 16 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA

Extreme Heat Warning

Extreme Heat Warning issued July 16 at 1:29PM PDT until July 16 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA

Destination

South Oroville, CA

Morning in South Oroville on Sunday

Local time

8:08 AM

PDT

Current temp

98°F

Sunny

S 7 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Extreme Heat Warning

Extreme Heat Warning issued July 16 at 1:29PM PDT until July 16 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA

Extreme Heat Warning

Extreme Heat Warning issued July 16 at 1:29PM PDT until July 16 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA

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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

6 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

8h 25m on the road

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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

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 ~56 min detour Free near mile 15.6

View on nps.gov

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...

29 mi from route ~72 min detour Free near mile 93.3

View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 451.1-mile trip, with 96% of your journey on major roadways. The main arteries guiding you will be Westside Freeway, CA 70, and I 5 Truck. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 304.9 miles on Westside Freeway, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. While primarily highway, the route offers a practical way to cover distance efficiently across California.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 304.9 mi on Westside Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and CA 70. 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 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 451.1 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 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.

Elevation Profile

Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes

3,522 ft 21 ft

Total Climb

3,738 ft

Total Descent

3,839 ft

Highest Point

3,522 ft

~64.4 mi in

Elevation Range

3,502 ft

Notable High Points

3,522 ft at ~64.4 miles +2,157 ft prominence

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Home stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Cuisine: coffee_shop

Corner Bakery

Cafe

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Cuisine: coffee_shop

Starbucks

Cafe

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

Los Angeles, CA

Cuisine: coffee_shop

Restaurant

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Los Angeles, CA

Visit website

Philippe The Original

Restaurant

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Los Angeles, CA

Cuisine: american

Hours: Mo-Su 06:00-22:00

Visit website

Frenchmans Flat

Picnic_site

Near the start, short detour

bath house museum

Museum

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.

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 South Oroville, CA

Full guide →

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 304.9 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 226 miles on day one.

Yes — we found about 37 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.

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 South Oroville, 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. There are 37 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

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.

Not recommended in a single day. At 8.4 hours each way, a round trip means 16.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at South Oroville, 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, 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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