Rancho Cordova to Los Angeles is 385.9 miles and takes about 7h 15m via Westside Freeway, with a fuel budget near $89 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within California, connecting the Pacific Coast region on both ends. It's a straightforward, mostly highway trip that should be manageable in a single day if you start early. You'll encounter a significant amount of highway driving, so be prepared for that kind of travel. Plan for about 2 stops to break up the 7-hour plus driving time.
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
192.9 miles from Rancho Cordova, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 38m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
250.2 mi
4h 28m
I 5 Truck
63.9 mi
1h 13m
South Sacramento Freeway
29.7 mi
34m
Hollywood Freeway
16.2 mi
20m
Bradshaw Road
11.9 mi
17m
Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi
4m
Crosstown Freeway
2.4 mi
2m
Folsom Boulevard
2.3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 250.2 mi, about 4h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rancho Cordova, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on Folsom Boulevard
474 ft·14 sec·Folsom Boulevard
2
Continue on Folsom Boulevard
2.2 mi·3 min·Folsom Boulevard
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto Bradshaw Road
9.3 mi·13 min·Bradshaw Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Enter roundabout onto Bradshaw Road
81 ft·1 sec·Bradshaw Road
5
Continue on Bradshaw Road
2.6 mi·3 min·Bradshaw Road
Use the left / uturn lanes.
6
Turn right onto E2
2.2 mi·3 min·Grant Line Road
Use the right lane.
7
Continue on E2
0.1 mi·10 sec·Kammerer Road
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
9
Merge onto CA 99
30 mi·34 min·South Sacramento Freeway
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward CA 4
11
Merge onto CA 4
2.4 mi·2 min·Crosstown Freeway
12
Take the exit onto CA 4
0.4 mi·50 sec·CA 4
Toward I 5: Sacramento
13
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 4
0.7 mi·1 min·CA 4
Toward I 5 South
14
Merge onto I 5; CA 4
13 mi·14 min·Westside Freeway
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi·48 sec·Westside Freeway
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
237 mi·4 hr 13 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
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.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
5.3 mi·6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.5 mi·32 sec
Exit 153BToward CA 170 South: HollywoodUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on CA 170
16 mi·20 min·Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 2CToward BroadwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on West Aliso Street
409 ft·18 sec·West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
25
Turn right onto North Spring Street
0.3 mi·35 sec·North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
26
Turn left onto West 1st Street
354 ft·12 sec·West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
27
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour driving time, leaving Rancho Cordova early in the morning is your best bet to avoid the worst traffic. The recommended 2 stops are good for stretching your legs and grabbing a quick bite. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 250.2 miles, as services can be spaced out on the highway. Since this is a one-day trip, you have flexibility; however, staying aware of the 95% highway percentage will help you anticipate the driving conditions. Aim to refuel before hitting any major urban areas to ensure you have enough gas.
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 192.9 miles from Rancho Cordova, CA, or about 3h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 250.2 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 85 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 192.9 miles or 3h 38m 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 3m
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 Rancho Cordova, 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 Rancho Cordova, CA
This is one driving day of about 385.9 miles and 7h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 miles from Rancho Cordova, 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 250.2 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 363.1 and 385.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
363.1 mi into trip|~6h 45m 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
368.7 mi into trip|~6h 52m 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
385.4 mi into trip|~7h 13m 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
385.6 mi into trip|~7h 14m in|North Spring Street
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
385.8 mi into trip|~7h 14m in|West 1st Street
Turn left onto West 1st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$88.70 one way
$177.39 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg135 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$91.40
$182.80
premium
$6.18
$93.85
$187.69
diesel
$5.61
$85.20
$170.40
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$89
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$114–$139
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 135 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
115.8
1
$40.52
$18.52
Efficient EV
96.5
1
$33.77
$15.44
EV Truck/SUV
154.4
1
$54.03
$24.70
Gas CO2
135 kg
EV CO2
45 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Rancho Cordova, CA
Late night
in Rancho Cordova on Sunday
Local time
4:53 AM
PDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Late night
in Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
4:53 AM
PDT
Current temp
54°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
8 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 15m 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 359.3
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...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
Free
near mile 306.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 95% highway, so expect to spend most of your time on high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch you'll drive is 250.2 miles, primarily on the Westside Freeway. You'll transition from highway to surface roads as you approach your destination. The sheer volume of exits on the Westside Freeway means you'll be navigating a lot of traffic and potential slowdowns, especially closer to Los Angeles.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 250.2 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 363.1 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 23 significant decision points across 385.9 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 363.1 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 368.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 385.4 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 7h 15m. Total distance: 385.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 15m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 250.2 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 33 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 33 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 363.1 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 368.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 385.4 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 7.3 hours each way, a round trip means 14.5 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.
