This 423.8-mile drive from Marysville, CA to Los Angeles, CA is designed for a single day, taking approximately 7 hours and 50 minutes of driving time. You'll spend most of your journey on major highways, with 97% of the route being highway driving. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $97, and you'll likely make two stops along the way. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip that efficiently connects the Pacific Coast region of Northern California to its Southern counterpart. This route is best suited for those prioritizing speed and directness over scenic detours.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
211.9 miles from Marysville, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
303.7 mi
5h 28m
I 5 Truck
63.9 mi
1h 13m
CA 70
21.6 mi
25m
Hollywood Freeway
16.2 mi
20m
Golden State Highway
7.7 mi
8m
Bernie Richter Memorial Highway
4.9 mi
5m
Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi
4m
E Street
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 303.7 mi, about 5h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Marysville, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on CA 20
442 ft·18 sec·10th Street
2
Continue on CA 20
434 ft·18 sec·10th Street
3
Continue on CA 20
0.6 mi·1 min·E Street
4
Continue on CA 70
4.1 mi·4 min·CA 70
5
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 70
18 mi·20 min·CA 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto CA 99
4.9 mi·5 min·Bernie Richter Memorial Highway
7
Continue on CA 99
7.7 mi·8 min·Golden State Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 5
66 mi·1 hr 13 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi·48 sec·Westside Freeway
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
237 mi·4 hr 13 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
0.3 mi·17 sec·I 5 Truck
Exit 158Toward I 405 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
5.3 mi·6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·32 sec
Exit 153BToward CA 170 South: HollywoodUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on CA 170
16 mi·20 min·Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 2CToward BroadwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on West Aliso Street
409 ft·18 sec·West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn right onto North Spring Street
0.3 mi·35 sec·North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
20
Turn left onto West 1st Street
354 ft·12 sec·West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
21
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour 50-minute driving duration, departing Marysville early in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and avoid potential traffic congestion as you approach Los Angeles. With two planned stops, aim for one roughly midway and another closer to your destination for fuel and a break. The longest stretch of 303.7 miles on Westside Freeway means you’ll want to ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on it. Keep an eye on traffic conditions, especially as you get closer to the Los Angeles area, as this is a common area for delays.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 211.9 miles from Marysville, CA, or about 3h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 303.7 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 93 miles or 1h 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 211.9 miles or 3h 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Los Angeles, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Marysville, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Marysville, CA
This is one driving day of about 423.8 miles and 7h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 93 miles from Marysville, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 303.7 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 401 and 423.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
401 mi into trip|~7h 21m in|I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 405 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 158
Toward I 405 South
7
406.6 mi into trip|~7h 27m in
Take the exit toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 153B
Toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
7
423.3 mi into trip|~7h 49m in
Take the exit toward Broadway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 2C
Toward Broadway
7
423.5 mi into trip|~7h 49m in|North Spring Street
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
423.7 mi into trip|~7h 50m in|West 1st Street
Turn left onto West 1st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$97.41 one way
$194.81 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg148 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$100.38
$200.75
premium
$6.18
$103.06
$206.13
diesel
$5.61
$93.57
$187.14
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$97
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$122–$147
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 148.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $45 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
127.1
1
$44.50
$20.34
Efficient EV
106
1
$37.08
$16.95
EV Truck/SUV
169.5
2
$59.33
$27.12
Gas CO2
148 kg
EV CO2
50 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 20, 2026
Origin
Marysville, CA
Late night
in Marysville on Tuesday
Local time
5:08 AM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Late night
in Los Angeles on Tuesday
Local time
5:08 AM
PDT
Current temp
55°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
4 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
7h 50m 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 394.6
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
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 336.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with a 97% highway share. The main arteries you'll navigate include Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, and CA 70. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 303.7 miles on Westside Freeway, meaning you can cover substantial ground without frequent exits. This profile suggests a drive characterized by consistent speed and a focus on covering distance efficiently, rather than winding scenic byways.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 303.7 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 401 miles in near I 5 Truck.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 423.8 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 401 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 406.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 423.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Marysville is a city in California near Yuba City that is distinctive for being named after a survivor of the Donner Party, Mary Murphy, and being known as the "Gateway to The Gold Fields" during the California gold rush era, as it served as a pitstop for riverboats coming up from Sacramento. Its relevance to that booming industry, not just with the influx of prospectors but also materials, led it to briefly become one of the largest cities in California by 1857. But the glory was fairly short-lived as flooding from hydraulic mining took its toll on the city, along with other factors. Like other gold boomtowns, it attracted a sizable Chinese population, which manifests still today with facets like the Bok Kai Temple.
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 7h 50m. Total distance: 423.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 50m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 303.7 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 Los Angeles, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 401 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 406.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 423.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 7.8 hours each way, a round trip means 15.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Los Angeles, CA before the return drive.
