Mission Hills to Los Angeles is 151.5 miles and takes about 3h 7m via Ventura Freeway and El Camino Real, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive connects two points within California's Pacific Coast region, offering a mix of highway cruising and surface street navigation. You'll primarily use major freeways before transitioning to more local roads as you approach your destination. Consider this a straightforward trip, ideal for a single day of travel, with a manageable duration and fuel cost.
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
75.8 miles from Mission Hills, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ventura Freeway
70.5 mi
1h 21m
El Camino Real
47.2 mi
55m
San Julian Road
16.3 mi
22m
Hollywood Freeway
10.3 mi
14m
CA 246
1.8 mi
2m
Cabrillo Highway
1.5 mi
2m
Purisima Road
1.1 mi
2m
Rucker Road
0.8 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Ventura Freeway
— 70.5 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mission Hills, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on Calle Segundo
348 ft·21 sec·Calle Segundo
2
At end of road, turn left onto Rucker Road
0.8 mi·3 min·Rucker Road
3
Turn left onto Purisima Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Purisima Road
4
Turn right onto Mission Gate Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Mission Gate Road
5
Turn right onto CA 246
1.8 mi·2 min·CA 246
6
Turn left onto CA 1
16 mi·22 min·San Julian Road
7
Continue on CA 1
1.5 mi·2 min·Cabrillo Highway
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·25 sec
9
Merge onto US 101
47 mi·55 min·El Camino Real
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on US 101
70 mi·1 hr 21 min·Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 101
0.6 mi·43 sec·Route 101
Toward US 101 South: Los Angeles, Tujunga AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto US 101
10 mi·14 min·Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 2CToward BroadwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on West Aliso Street
409 ft·18 sec·West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn right onto North Spring Street
0.3 mi·35 sec·North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
16
Turn left onto West 1st Street
354 ft·12 sec·West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
17
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 7m estimated drive time, leaving Mission Hills in the morning, ideally before 8 AM, can help you avoid the heaviest commuter traffic into Los Angeles. With only one recommended stop and a total distance of 151.5 miles, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. The fuel cost is estimated at $34, so ensure your tank is full before departing. Pay attention to your GPS as you transition from the Ventura Freeway onto surface streets like El Camino Real, as these can have more varied speed limits and intersections.
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 75.8 miles from Mission Hills, CA, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.5 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 33 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.8 miles or 1h 36m 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 32m
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 Mission Hills, 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 Mission Hills, CA
This is one driving day of about 151.5 miles and 3h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Mission Hills, 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 70.5 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 151.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Rucker Road
At end of road, turn left onto Rucker Road
Navigation decision point
8
140 mi into trip|~2h 51m in|US 101 / Route 101
Keep slight right at fork onto US 101 / Route 101 toward US 101 South: Los Angeles, Tujunga Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 101 South: Los Angeles, Tujunga Avenu...
7
151 mi into trip|~3h 5m 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
151.2 mi into trip|~3h 6m in|North Spring Street
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
151.5 mi into trip|~3h 7m in|West 1st Street
Turn left onto West 1st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.34 one way
$68.68 round trip
$5.76/gal25.4 MPG avg53 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.96
$35.52
$71.05
premium
$6.09
$36.34
$72.67
diesel
$5.40
$32.23
$64.45
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45.4
0
$15.91
$7.27
Efficient EV
37.9
0
$13.26
$6.06
EV Truck/SUV
60.6
0
$21.21
$9.70
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 25, 2026
Origin
Mission Hills, CA
Night
in Mission Hills on Saturday
Local time
9:22 PM
PDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Night
in Los Angeles on Saturday
Local time
9:22 PM
PDT
Current temp
67°F
Chance Rain Showers
SW 10 mph53% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 25 at 1:57PM PDT until April 26 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 25 at 12:10PM PDT until April 26 at 11:00AM 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.
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
19 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 7m on the road
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.
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 114.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 151.5-mile drive is about 55% highway, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on the Ventura Freeway. The longest continuous stretch on the freeway measures 70.5 miles. Expect to transition from highway driving to surface roads like El Camino Real and San Julian Road as you get closer to Los Angeles. You'll likely notice increased traffic density and more frequent exits as you merge into the urban environment.
55% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 70.5 mi on Ventura Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Rucker Road.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 151.5 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.1 miles (Rucker Road): Navigation decision point; at 140 miles (US 101 / Route 101): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 3h 7m. Total distance: 151.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 70.5 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 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 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 0.1 miles (Rucker Road): Navigation decision point; at 140 miles (US 101 / Route 101): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Los Angeles, CA, but most travelers stay overnight.
