If you are planning a trip from Los Angeles to Woodlake, expect a straightforward journey covering 355.2 miles. You should plan for a total drive time of approximately 6 hours and 38 minutes behind the wheel. Given the distance and duration, this route is manageable as a one-day trip if you get an early start, though it remains a significant haul. Budget about $48 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Since both cities are located within the Pacific Coast region of California, you will be traveling within the same geographic area throughout the drive. This itinerary is ideal for travelers who prioritize efficiency over scenic detours, as it relies heavily on major arterial roads.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
177.6 miles from Los Angeles, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
251.1 mi
4h 29m
I 5 Truck
37.7 mi
43m
Golden State Freeway
29 mi
33m
Hollywood Freeway
15.5 mi
19m
CA 99
13.6 mi
15m
Crosstown Freeway
2.5 mi
2m
Woodbridge Road
1.2 mi
2m
CA 4
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 251.1 mi, about 4h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles, CA and Woodlake, 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
15 mi·19 min·Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·59 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 5
4.5 mi·5 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
2.2 mi·2 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
1.5 mi·1 min·I 5 Truck
Exit 161AToward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 TruckUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
36 mi·41 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
22 mi·25 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
226 mi·4 hr 1 min·Westside Freeway
Toward I 5 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
26 mi·27 min·Westside Freeway
14
Take the exit onto CA 4
0.2 mi·26 sec·CA 4
Toward CA 4 East: Downtown Stockton
15
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 4
0.4 mi·57 sec·CA 4
16
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 4
0.2 mi·30 sec·CA 4
17
Merge onto CA 4
2.5 mi·2 min·Crosstown Freeway
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward CA 99 North
19
Merge onto CA 99
14 mi·15 min·CA 99
20
Take the exit
0.1 mi·20 sec
Toward Woodbridge Road
21
Turn right onto 99 Frontage Road
0.1 mi·24 sec·99 Frontage Road
22
Turn left onto Woodbridge Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Woodbridge Road
23
Turn right
0.5 mi·3 min
24
Turn right
0.1 mi·45 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, aim to depart Los Angeles early in the morning to beat heavy traffic and maximize your daylight hours. With only one recommended stop over the course of the 355.2-mile journey, you have the flexibility to choose where you want to break up the monotony. Since you will spend nearly the entire time on major highways, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the long 251.1-mile segment on the Westside Freeway to ensure you do not run low between service stations. This is a long day of driving, so prioritize hydration and frequent posture adjustments to stay alert. Treat this as a focused transit day rather than a sightseeing tour to ensure you arrive in Woodlake refreshed.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 177.6 miles from Los Angeles, CA, or about 3h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 251.1 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 78 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 177.6 miles or 3h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Woodlake, 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 355.2 miles and 6h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 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 Westside Freeway for about 251.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 16.9 and 84.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
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.
6
22.3 mi into trip|~28m in|I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
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
6
26.1 mi into trip|~33m in|I 5 Truck
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$81.64 one way
$163.28 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg124 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$84.13
$168.26
premium
$6.18
$86.38
$172.76
diesel
$5.61
$78.42
$156.85
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$82
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$107–$132
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 124.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
106.6
1
$37.30
$17.05
Efficient EV
88.8
1
$31.08
$14.21
EV Truck/SUV
142.1
1
$49.73
$22.73
Gas CO2
124 kg
EV CO2
42 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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Los Angeles, CA
Late night
in Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
4:31 AM
PDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Clear
N 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Woodlake, CA
Late night
in Woodlake on Sunday
Local time
4:31 AM
PDT
Current temp
76°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
23 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
6h 38m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 24.5
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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 85.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly efficient, highway-focused experience, as 99% of this route is comprised of major highways. You will navigate a system that includes the Golden State Freeway, I-5 Truck, and the Westside Freeway. The journey features a significant stretch of 251.1 miles on the Westside Freeway, which accounts for the vast majority of your time on the road. Because the route is almost entirely interstate-based, you should prepare for a consistent, high-speed pace rather than technical winding roads. It is a practical, utilitarian drive that keeps you moving steadily toward your destination in Woodlake.
99% 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: 251.1 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck. 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 Effort10/10
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 22 significant decision points across 355.2 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 22.3 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): 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.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 38m. Total distance: 355.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 38m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 251.1 miles on Westside 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 Woodlake, 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 16.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.3 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): 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.
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 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Woodlake, CA before the return drive.
