Origin
Los Angeles, CA
Late night in Los Angeles on Tuesday
Local time
5:25 AM
PDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Los Angeles, CA to Vandenberg Village, 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
3h 9m
Distance
154 mi
248 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 58m
★
6 AM
3h 9m
8 AM
3h 33m
10 AM
3h 17m
12 PM
3h 15m
3 PM
3h 19m
5 PM
3h 31m
8 PM
3h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Vandenberg Village, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Los Angeles to Vandenberg Village is 154 miles and takes about 3 hours 9 minutes via Ventura Freeway and US 101, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within California's Pacific Coast region, offering a straightforward drive north. The route is mostly highway, so expect a relatively quick transit time. It's a manageable distance for a single day, allowing for a relaxed start or an early arrival at your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
77 miles from Los Angeles, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ventura Freeway | 52.6 mi | 1h 1m |
| El Camino Real | 46.9 mi | 54m |
| US 101 | 19 mi | 22m |
| San Julian Road | 16.3 mi | 22m |
| Hollywood Freeway | 9.4 mi | 12m |
| Cabrillo Highway | 3 mi | 3m |
| North H Street | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| East Ocean Avenue | 1.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Ventura Freeway
— 52.6 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles, CA and Vandenberg Village, 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
9.4 mi
·
12 min
·
Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit onto US 101
0.6 mi
·
43 sec
·
US 101
Exit 13
Toward US 101 North: Ventura
Use the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto US 101
53 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 101
18 mi
·
21 min
·
US 101
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on US 101
47 mi
·
54 min
·
El Camino Real
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto CA 1
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
CA 1
Exit 132
Toward CA 1: Lompoc, Vandenberg AFB
11
Turn left onto CA 1
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Cabrillo Highway
12
Continue on CA 1
16 mi
·
22 min
·
San Julian Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
13
Turn left onto CA 1; CA 246
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
East Ocean Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Turn right onto CA 1
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
North H Street
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn left onto CA 1
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Cabrillo Highway
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
17
Turn left onto Apollo Way
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Apollo Way
18
Turn right onto Constellation Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Constellation Road
19
Turn left onto Aldebaran Avenue
31 ft
·
1 sec
·
Aldebaran Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
Aldebaran Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration, leaving Los Angeles in the morning should allow you to reach Vandenberg Village with plenty of daylight. The route has one recommended stop, which is a good opportunity to stretch your legs or refuel if needed, though the $35 fuel cost suggests you won't need to stop frequently. Since this is a one-day trip, you have flexibility in your departure time. Keep an eye out for the transition from US 101 to El Camino Real as you approach your destination, as this marks the change to surface streets.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 77 miles from Los Angeles, CA, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.6 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 34 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77 miles or 1h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Vandenberg Village, 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 154 miles and 3h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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 Ventura Freeway for about 52.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
77 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 77 miles from Los Angeles, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 145 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 147.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward US 101 North, CA 110
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 101 North, CA 110
7
10.8 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
US 101
Take the exit onto US 101 toward US 101 North: Ventura
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 13
Toward US 101 North: Ventura
6
64 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m in
|
US 101
Keep slight left at fork onto US 101
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
129.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 33m in
|
CA 1
Take the exit onto CA 1 toward CA 1: Lompoc, Vandenberg AFB
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 132
Toward CA 1: Lompoc, Vandenberg AFB
6
147.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 58m in
|
CA 1; CA 246 / East Ocean Avenue
Turn left onto CA 1; CA 246 / East Ocean Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.40 one way
$70.79 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $36.47 | $72.95 |
| premium | $6.18 | $37.45 | $74.90 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.00 | $68.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.2 | 0 | $16.17 | $7.39 |
| Efficient EV | 38.5 | 0 | $13.48 | $6.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.6 | 0 | $21.56 | $9.86 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Vandenberg Village, CA
Late night in Vandenberg Village on Tuesday
Local time
5:25 AM
PDT
Current temp
68°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
13 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
3h 9m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This 154-mile drive features a 53% highway share, meaning you'll spend a good portion of the 3-hour trip on faster roads like the Ventura Freeway. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is 52.6 miles on the Ventura Freeway. Expect a transition from the freeway to surface roads as you get closer to Vandenberg Village, indicated by the mixed highway and surface profile. You'll notice this shift from higher-speed cruising to more local traffic patterns.
53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 52.6 mi on Ventura Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 0.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 154 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 0.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.8 miles (US 101): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 64 miles (US 101): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Vandenberg Village, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Vandenberg Afb along the way.
Vandenberg Afb
129.3 mi in
|
~2h 33m
|
via CA 1
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
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 3h 9m. Total distance: 154 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 52.6 miles on Ventura 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 Vandenberg Village, 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 0.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.8 miles (US 101): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 64 miles (US 101): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Vandenberg Village, CA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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.
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Return Trip
Vandenberg Village, CA to Los Angeles, CAPlan the drive back the other way.
153.9 mi
3h 8m
Continue From Vandenberg Village, CA
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