Traveling from Pittsburg to Los Angeles covers 357.6 miles and typically takes about 6 hours and 45 minutes of driving time. Because this route is efficient and highway-focused, it is easily manageable as a single-day trip. You should budget approximately $49 for fuel to complete the journey. Connecting the Pacific Coast regions, this drive serves as a direct transit rather than a slow-paced tour. Whether you are heading south for business or a visit, the trip is straightforward and requires only one planned stop to keep you refreshed. It is an ideal choice for travelers prioritizing speed and simplicity 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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
178.8 miles from Pittsburg, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
224.4 mi
4h
I 5 Truck
63.9 mi
1h 13m
Hollywood Freeway
16.2 mi
20m
CA 4
14.4 mi
16m
William Elton Brown Freeway
14 mi
15m
Byron Highway
5.1 mi
7m
Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi
4m
Mountain House Parkway
3.4 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 224.4 mi, about 4h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pittsburg, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on East 10th Street
123 ft·9 sec·East 10th Street
2
Turn left onto Railroad Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·Railroad Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left
0.6 mi·45 sec
Toward CA 4 East: StocktonUse the left lane.
4
Merge onto CA 4
6.4 mi·7 min·CA 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 4
8.0 mi·9 min·CA 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on Vasco Road
3.4 mi·4 min·Vasco Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
7
Turn left onto Camino Diablo
1.6 mi·3 min·Camino Diablo
8
Turn right onto J4
5.1 mi·7 min·Byron Highway
9
Continue on J4
1.5 mi·2 min·Byron-Bethany Road
10
Continue on J4
1.8 mi·2 min·Byron Road
11
Turn right onto Mountain House Parkway
2.7 mi·4 min·Mountain House Parkway
Use the slight left lane.
12
Continue on International Parkway
1.0 mi·1 min·International Parkway
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on Mountain House Parkway
0.8 mi·1 min·Mountain House Parkway
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
15
Merge onto I 580
8.1 mi·8 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
5.9 mi·6 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
17
Merge onto I 5
224 mi·4 hr·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
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.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
5.3 mi·6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.5 mi·32 sec
Exit 153BToward CA 170 South: HollywoodUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on CA 170
16 mi·20 min·Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 2CToward BroadwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on West Aliso Street
409 ft·18 sec·West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
26
Turn right onto North Spring Street
0.3 mi·35 sec·North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
27
Turn left onto West 1st Street
354 ft·12 sec·West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
28
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 6 hour and 45 minute travel time, aim to depart early to avoid peak traffic congestion near your destination. Since the longest stretch spans 224.4 miles on the Westside Freeway, ensure you have enough fuel and supplies before entering this segment to avoid unnecessary delays. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel, keeping your $49 budget in mind for mid-trip pit stops. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, as the direct nature of the route allows you to easily adjust your arrival time. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the long interstate sections where service stations may be spaced further apart.
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 178.8 miles from Pittsburg, CA, or about 3h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 224.4 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 79 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 178.8 miles or 3h 24m 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 33m
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 Pittsburg, 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 Pittsburg, CA
This is one driving day of about 357.6 miles and 6h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Pittsburg, 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 224.4 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 357.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.9 mi into trip|~1m in
Turn left toward CA 4 East: Stockton
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward CA 4 East: Stockton
8
334.8 mi into trip|~6h 16m 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
340.4 mi into trip|~6h 22m 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
357 mi into trip|~6h 44m 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
357.2 mi into trip|~6h 44m in|North Spring Street
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$82.19 one way
$164.38 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg125 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$84.70
$169.40
premium
$6.18
$86.96
$173.93
diesel
$5.61
$78.95
$157.91
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: 125.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
107.3
1
$37.55
$17.16
Efficient EV
89.4
1
$31.29
$14.30
EV Truck/SUV
143
1
$50.06
$22.89
Gas CO2
125 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
Pittsburg, CA
Late night
in Pittsburg on Tuesday
Local time
3:19 AM
PDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Late night
in Los Angeles on Tuesday
Local time
3:19 AM
PDT
Current temp
84°F
Sunny
S 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive 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.
Road read
6h 45m 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.
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
National Memorial
On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two s...
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 332.9
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
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 271.3
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of American civilians on the WWII home front. Discover how diverse communities lived, worked, and interacted. Many faces, many stories, many truths...
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 commute, as 95% of your journey stays on major highways. You will spend the vast majority of your time on the Westside Freeway and I-5 Truck route, which offers a long, consistent stretch of 224.4 miles. This creates a focused, interstate-heavy experience that allows you to maintain steady speeds for most of the trip. As you approach your destination, you will transition onto the Hollywood Freeway to navigate into Los Angeles. The personality of this drive is functional and direct, trading winding backroads for the reliability of high-capacity thoroughfares.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 224.4 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 0.9 miles in.
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 20 significant decision points across 357.6 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 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 334.8 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 340.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Pittsburg is a city of 76,000 people (2020) in the east part of Contra Costa County in the San Francisco Bay Area on the west edge of the San Francisco Bay Delta.
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 45m. Total distance: 357.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 45m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 224.4 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 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 334.8 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 340.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and César E. Chávez National Monument (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.5 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.
