If you are planning to travel from Morgan Hill to Los Angeles, expect a direct journey covering 318.9 miles. This trip typically takes about 6 hours and 1 minute, making it a manageable, albeit long, day trip that does not necessarily require an overnight stay. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major thoroughfares, as this route is heavily highway-focused. With an estimated fuel cost of $43, it is a relatively predictable drive in terms of logistics. Since both your start and end points are located within the Pacific Coast region, you will remain within the same geographic corridor throughout the transit.
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
159.5 miles from Morgan Hill, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
181.1 mi
3h 14m
I 5 Truck
63.9 mi
1h 13m
Pacheco Pass Highway
40.6 mi
50m
Hollywood Freeway
16.2 mi
20m
South Valley Freeway
9.4 mi
10m
Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi
4m
East Dunne Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
Butterfield Boulevard
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 181.1 mi, about 3h 14m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 154 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~2,024 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,763
Quietest
2 AM
~371 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 44 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Morgan Hill, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on East Main Avenue
0.2 mi·38 sec·East Main Avenue
2
Turn right onto Butterfield Boulevard
0.5 mi·55 sec·Butterfield Boulevard
Use the right lane.
3
Turn left onto East Dunne Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·East Dunne Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward US 101 SouthUse the right lane.
5
Merge onto US 101
9.4 mi·10 min·South Valley Freeway
6
Take the exit onto CA 152
0.3 mi·39 sec·CA 152
Toward CA 152 East: 10th Street, Pacheco Pass Road
7
Turn left onto CA 152
353 ft·12 sec·East 10th Street
8
Continue on CA 152
41 mi·50 min·Pacheco Pass Highway
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 5: Los Angeles
10
Merge onto I 5
181 mi·3 hr 14 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
To make the most of this 318.9-mile drive, plan for at least one well-timed stop to break up the monotony of the highway sections. Since the duration is just over 6 hours, departing early in the morning can help you avoid the heaviest traffic patterns near your arrival in Los Angeles. Keep your fuel budget of $43 in mind, and consider topping off your tank before hitting the longest 181.1-mile stretch on the Westside Freeway to avoid unnecessary stops in more remote areas. Because this is a single-day trip, the flexibility of your schedule is your greatest asset; use that extra time to rest during your stop so you arrive in Los Angeles refreshed rather than fatigued.
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 159.5 miles from Morgan Hill, CA, or about 3h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 181.1 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 70 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 159.5 miles or 3h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 52m
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 Morgan Hill, 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 Morgan Hill, CA
This is one driving day of about 318.9 miles and 6h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Morgan Hill, 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 181.1 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 296.2 and 318.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
296.2 mi into trip|~5h 32m 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
301.7 mi into trip|~5h 38m 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
318.4 mi into trip|~6h 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
318.6 mi into trip|~6h in|North Spring Street
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
318.9 mi into trip|~6h 1m in|West 1st Street
Turn left onto West 1st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$66.72 one way
$133.44 round trip
$5.31/gal25.4 MPG avg112 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$69.29
$138.58
premium
$5.67
$71.12
$142.25
diesel
$4.80
$60.21
$120.43
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$67
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$92–$117
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 111.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
95.7
1
$33.48
$15.31
Efficient EV
79.7
0
$27.90
$12.76
EV Truck/SUV
127.6
1
$44.65
$20.41
Gas CO2
112 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (67% 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Morgan Hill, CA
Evening
in Morgan Hill on Monday
Local time
5:59 PM
PDT
Current temp
86°F
Sunny
SW 2 to 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 1:44AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 1:44AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Evening
in Los Angeles on Monday
Local time
5:59 PM
PDT
Current temp
84°F
Mostly Sunny
S 5 to 10 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 1:44AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 1:44AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 1m 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 296.9
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 231
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a straightforward, high-speed experience as 86% of this drive is spent on highways. Your route relies heavily on the Westside Freeway, the I-5 Truck route, and the Pacheco Pass Highway. Be prepared for a significant stretch of open road, specifically the 181.1-mile segment along the Westside Freeway, which represents the longest uninterrupted portion of the journey. The character of this drive is highly efficient rather than leisurely, prioritizing speed and directness over technical or winding backroads. Once you transition through the initial pass, the road settles into a steady, consistent pace that defines the remainder of your trip.
86% 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: 181.1 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 296.2 miles in near I 5 Truck.
Driving Effort9/10
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 17 significant decision points across 318.9 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 296.2 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 301.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 318.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,085 ft230 ft
Total Climb
4,153 ft
Total Descent
4,217 ft
Highest Point
4,085 ft
~250.6 mi in
Elevation Range
3,855 ft
Notable High Points
4,085 ft at ~250.6 miles+1,647 ft prominence
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
GVA Cafe @ Mojo Hill
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Morgan Hill, CA
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Tu 08:08-15:00; We,Th,Su,Mo 08:00-15:00;...
Morgan Hill is a city in Santa Clara County, California, at the southern tip of Silicon Valley, in the San Francisco Bay Area. With a population of 45,000 in 2020, Morgan Hill is primarily a bedroom community for Silicon Valley, as well as the seat for several high-tech companies.
Top landmarks
•Villa Mira Monte — historic house in Morgan Hill, California, USA
•Malaguerra Winery — Winery in Morgan Hill, California, USA.
•Rhoades Ranch — Historic American Craftsman ranch, located near Morgan Hill, California.
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
The 6-hour drive is definitely feasible for a weekend, but it's a full day behind the wheel. Plan for that single break to make the most of your limited weekend time.
Family Friendly
With 86% highway and a complexity rating of 9/10, navigating this 319-mile route with kids might be challenging. Consider packing extra entertainment for the 6-hour drive through the hilly terrain.
Solo Traveler
This 319-mile drive offers an engaging, mostly highway experience, perfect for a solo traveler looking for a manageable single-day journey. Just be prepared for a 9/10 complexity rating, so keep your eyes on the road.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 181.1 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 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 296.2 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 301.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 318.4 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 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.1 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.
