Origin
Rio Del Mar, CA
Morning in Rio Del Mar on Tuesday
Local time
7:51 AM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Rio Del Mar, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 24m
Distance
335.4 mi
540 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$77
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 12m
★
6 AM
6h 25m
8 AM
6h 50m
10 AM
6h 33m
12 PM
6h 31m
3 PM
6h 35m
5 PM
6h 48m
8 PM
6h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rio Del Mar, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Rio Del Mar to Los Angeles is 335.4 miles and takes about 6h 24m via Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck, with a fuel budget near $77 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive covers ground across California's Pacific Coast region, transitioning from coastal proximity to inland travel. Expect a predominantly highway experience, making it a straightforward trip for those prioritizing direct travel. With a recommended one-day drive, it’s a solid option for reaching Southern California efficiently. Consider this route if you're looking for a no-frills way to get from the Monterey Bay area down to the greater Los Angeles region.
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
167.7 miles from Rio Del Mar, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 15m 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 | 35.8 mi | 42m |
| Hollywood Freeway | 16.2 mi | 20m |
| Riverside Road | 9.5 mi | 13m |
| Cabrillo Highway | 6.1 mi | 7m |
| Golden State Freeway | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| Bloomfield Avenue | 3.9 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 181.1 mi, about 3h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rio Del Mar, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on Rio del Mar Boulevard
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Rio del Mar Boulevard
2
Continue on Rio del Mar Boulevard
419 ft
·
8 sec
·
Rio del Mar Boulevard
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
4
Merge onto CA 1
6.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Cabrillo Highway
5
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward CA 152: Watsonville, Gilroy
6
Continue on CA 152
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
7
Continue on CA 152
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
Main Street
8
Turn left onto CA 152
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Beach Street
9
Turn right onto Blackburn Street
0.3 mi
·
52 sec
·
Blackburn Street
10
Turn left onto CA 129
222 ft
·
7 sec
·
East Riverside Drive
11
Continue on CA 129
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Riverside Road
12
Enter roundabout onto Riverside Road
92 ft
·
1 sec
·
Riverside Road
13
Continue on Riverside Road
8.6 mi
·
11 min
·
Riverside Road
14
Continue on CA 129
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Chittenden Road
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
31 sec
16
Merge onto US 101
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
El Camino Real
17
Continue on US 101
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
South Valley Freeway
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 353
Toward CA 25 East
19
At end of road, turn left onto CA 25
0.7 mi
·
58 sec
·
Bloomfield Avenue
20
Continue on CR G7
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Bloomfield Avenue
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right onto CA 152
36 mi
·
42 min
·
Pacheco Pass Highway
22
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 5: Los Angeles
23
Merge onto I 5
181 mi
·
3 hr 14 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
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.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 153B
Toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on CA 170
16 mi
·
20 min
·
Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 2C
Toward Broadway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on West Aliso Street
409 ft
·
18 sec
·
West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
32
Turn right onto North Spring Street
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
33
Turn left onto West 1st Street
354 ft
·
12 sec
·
West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
34
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
For this 6h 24m drive, leaving early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential traffic, especially as you near Los Angeles. Since it’s a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to decide when to take your single recommended stop. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest continuous stretch is over 180 miles. The estimated fuel cost is around $77, so budget accordingly. Pay attention to signage as you transition from highway to surface roads, particularly as you get closer to your destination.
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 167.7 miles from Rio Del Mar, CA, or about 3h 15m 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 74 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 167.7 miles or 3h 15m 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 12m
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 Rio Del Mar, 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 Rio Del Mar, CA
This is one driving day of about 335.4 miles and 6h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Rio Del Mar, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
168 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 74 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 167.7 miles from Rio Del Mar, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 181.1 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 245 decision points cluster between mile 312.7 and 335.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
312.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 55m 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
318.2 mi into trip
|
~6h 1m 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
334.9 mi into trip
|
~6h 23m 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
335.1 mi into trip
|
~6h 23m in
|
North Spring Street
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
335.4 mi into trip
|
~6h 24m in
|
West 1st Street
Turn left onto West 1st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$77.09 one way
$154.18 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
117 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $79.44 | $158.88 |
| premium | $6.18 | $81.57 | $163.13 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $74.05 | $148.10 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$77
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$102–$127
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 117.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 100.6 | 1 | $35.22 | $16.10 |
| Efficient EV | 83.9 | 0 | $29.35 | $13.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 134.2 | 1 | $46.96 | $21.47 |
Gas CO2
117 kg
EV CO2
39 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.
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Morning in Los Angeles on Tuesday
Local time
7:51 AM
PDT
Current temp
55°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
13 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 24m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 80% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on major thoroughfares like the Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch on the Westside Freeway at 181.1 miles. The route transitions to surface roads for the remaining 20% of the mileage. Expect a fairly continuous flow of traffic and numerous exits as you approach and move through more populated areas.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 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?
10/10
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 312.7 miles in near I 5 Truck.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 24 significant decision points across 335.4 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 312.7 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 318.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 334.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Rio Del Mar, 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 6h 24m. Total distance: 335.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 24m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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 312.7 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 318.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 334.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.8 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.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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