Origin
Richgrove, CA
Morning in Richgrove on Saturday
Local time
11:32 AM
PDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Richgrove, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 25, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 53m
Distance
145.4 mi
234 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 42m
★
6 AM
2h 53m
8 AM
3h 15m
10 AM
3h 1m
12 PM
2h 59m
3 PM
3h 2m
5 PM
3h 14m
8 PM
2h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Richgrove, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Richgrove, CA to Los Angeles, CA is 145.4 miles and takes about 2h 53m via Golden State Freeway, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip covers ground within the Pacific Coast region, transitioning from a more rural feel to the bustling urban environment of Los Angeles. Given the relatively short duration, it's an ideal route for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination with plenty of time to spare. You'll primarily be on major freeways, making for a straightforward and efficient drive.
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
72.7 miles from Richgrove, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 26m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Golden State Freeway | 91.8 mi | 1h 44m |
| Porterville Highway | 22.5 mi | 25m |
| Hollywood Freeway | 16.2 mi | 20m |
| I 5 Truck | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| Garces Highway | 4.5 mi | 6m |
| Famoso Porterville Highway | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Richgrove Drive | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| North Spring Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Golden State Freeway
— 91.8 mi, about 1h 44m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 45 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,770 veh/hr typical · worst 4,589
Quietest
2 AM
~577 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Richgrove, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on Dooley Drive
0.1 mi
·
39 sec
·
Dooley Drive
2
At end of road, turn left onto Richgrove Drive
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
Richgrove Drive
3
Continue on Famoso Porterville Highway
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Famoso Porterville Highway
4
Turn left onto CA 155
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Garces Highway
5
Turn right onto CA 65
23 mi
·
25 min
·
Porterville Highway
6
Continue on this road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
Toward CA 99 South
7
Merge onto CA 99
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
27 mi
·
30 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Toward CA 99 South: Los Angeles
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
58 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
·
I 5 Truck
Exit 158
Toward I 405 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 153B
Toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on CA 170
16 mi
·
20 min
·
Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 2C
Toward Broadway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on West Aliso Street
409 ft
·
18 sec
·
West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn right onto North Spring Street
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
18
Turn left onto West 1st Street
354 ft
·
12 sec
·
West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
19
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 2h 53m drive, consider leaving Richgrove, CA in the morning to avoid potential afternoon traffic heading into Los Angeles. With only 145.4 miles, you can easily complete this in one day, so there's no need to rush. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is 91.8 miles on the Golden State Freeway, so plan your fuel stops accordingly before you get too low. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially after passing through more rural stretches, as services can become more spread out.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 72.7 miles from Richgrove, CA, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.8 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 32 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.7 miles or 1h 26m 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 19m
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 Richgrove, 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 Richgrove, CA
This is one driving day of about 145.4 miles and 2h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Richgrove, 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 Golden State Freeway for about 91.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
73 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 72.7 miles from Richgrove, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Golden State Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 91.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 33 and 145.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
33 mi into trip
|
~42m in
|
CA 99 / Golden State Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99 / Golden State Freeway toward CA 99 South: Los Angeles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 99 South: Los Angeles
8
122.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 23m 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
128.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 30m 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
144.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 51m 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
145.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 52m in
|
North Spring Street
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.96 one way
$65.91 round trip
$5.76/gal
25.4 MPG avg
51 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.96 | $34.09 | $68.19 |
| premium | $6.09 | $34.87 | $69.75 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $30.93 | $61.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.6 | 0 | $15.27 | $6.98 |
| Efficient EV | 36.4 | 0 | $12.72 | $5.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 58.2 | 0 | $20.36 | $9.31 |
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Morning in Los Angeles on Saturday
Local time
11:32 AM
PDT
Current temp
76°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 53m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 78% of the trip on freeways. You'll experience a long stretch of 91.8 miles on the Golden State Freeway, offering a consistent cruising experience. The transition to surface roads will occur later in the drive as you approach the Los Angeles area, marked by an increase in exits and urban merging. Expect to encounter more traffic and complex intersections as you get closer to your destination.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 91.8 mi on Golden State Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Golden State Freeway and Porterville Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 33 miles in near CA 99 / Golden State Freeway.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 145.4 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 33 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.7 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 128.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Richgrove, CA
Full guide →Arriving in Los Angeles, CA
Full guide →“Tinseltown” · Founded 1781
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 53m. Total distance: 145.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 91.8 miles on Golden State Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 33 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.7 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 128.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Los Angeles, CA before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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