Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 22m
Distance
67.9 mi
109 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
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
Ventura, CA
Wikimedia Commons
If you are looking to escape the city for the coast, this 67.9-mile journey from Los Angeles to Ventura is a straightforward trek. You can easily complete the drive in about 1 hour and 22 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $9 on fuel for the trip, keeping your transit costs minimal. By utilizing the Hollywood Freeway, the Ventura Freeway, and US 101, you will remain within the Pacific Coast region for the duration of your travel. Because the route is so compact, you have plenty of flexibility to decide when to head out and when to return home. It is a practical, no-nonsense path that bridges the gap between the urban sprawl of LA and the coastal atmosphere of Ventura.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ventura Freeway | 52.6 mi | 1h 1m |
| Hollywood Freeway | 9.4 mi | 12m |
| US 101 | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| Santa Ana Freeway | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| North Broadway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| West 1st Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| South California Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles, CA and Ventura, CA.
Start on West 1st Street
Turn right onto North Broadway
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 101
Continue on US 101
Take the exit onto US 101
Merge onto US 101
Keep slight left at fork onto US 101
Take the exit
Turn right onto South California Street
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
34 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.
A short stop after about 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 33.9 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 67.8 — 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
Take the exit onto US 101 toward US 101 North: Ventura
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto US 101
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward California Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto South California Street
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$15.61 one way
$31.21 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $16.08 | $32.16 |
| premium | $6.18 | $16.51 | $33.03 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.99 | $29.98 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$16
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.4 | 0 | $7.13 | $3.26 |
| Efficient EV | 17 | 0 | $5.94 | $2.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.2 | 0 | $9.51 | $4.35 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
7:17 AM
PDT
Current temp
84°F
Sunny
Destination
Morning in Ventura on Sunday
Local time
7:17 AM
PDT
Current temp
62°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.
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 98% of your journey spent on high-speed thoroughfares. The experience is defined by a steady pace rather than winding backroads or technical maneuvers. You will find yourself cruising along for a longest uninterrupted stretch of 52.6 miles on the Ventura Freeway, which keeps the flow of traffic consistent. As you transition between the Hollywood Freeway and US 101, the road maintains a predictable, efficient character. While it lacks the complexity of a backcountry route, the high highway percentage ensures you reach your destination without the hassle of navigating local surface streets for the majority of the way.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Ventura Freeway and Hollywood 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.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 67.9 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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.
“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
Founded 1782
Ventura is a city of 111,000 people (2020) in Ventura County, a region of California's Central Coast. Ventura mixes old charm with new modern facilities to blend a rich and wonderful background to living.
Top landmarks
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 22m. Total distance: 67.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). 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.
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