Crossing the country from Washington, DC to Los Angeles is a serious undertaking spanning 2,672.4 miles. You should plan for approximately 46 hours and 54 minutes of pure driving time, making this a journey that requires a multi-day commitment. We recommend carving out at least 4 days to complete this trek safely, as attempting it in one go is not feasible. Expect to budget around $430 for fuel, though prices can fluctuate based on current market rates. Transitioning from the Northeast to the Pacific Coast, you will traverse a massive cross-section of the United States. This is a true long-distance endurance drive, so ensure your vehicle is prepped for a significant haul across varying climates.
Trip Pace
Best split across 4 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
13 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
1336.2 miles from Washington, DC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 23h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
1043.3 mi
17h 39m
I 40
872.1 mi
15h 20m
I 81
374.7 mi
6h 47m
Needles Freeway
155.1 mi
2h 46m
Custis Memorial Parkway
74.4 mi
1h 26m
Barstow and Mojave Freeway
52 mi
55m
San Bernardino Freeway
32.9 mi
37m
I 15
14.8 mi
16m
Longest stretch:
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
— 1043.3 mi, about 17h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Washington, DC and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on 15th Street Northwest
0.2 mi·25 sec·15th Street Northwest
2
Turn right onto US 50
0.3 mi·1 min·Constitution Avenue Northwest
Use the right lane.
3
Turn right onto 17th Street Northwest
0.3 mi·35 sec·17th Street Northwest
4
Turn left onto New York Avenue Northwest
0.1 mi·13 sec·New York Avenue Northwest
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Continue on E Street Northwest
0.2 mi·19 sec·E Street Northwest
6
Continue on E Street Expressway
0.3 mi·20 sec·E Street Expressway
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 66 West: Virginia
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 66 WestUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 66
0.2 mi·22 sec·Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Bridge
Toward I 66 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 66
7.3 mi·10 min·Custis Memorial Parkway
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 66
67 mi·1 hr 16 min·Custis Memorial Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 1AToward I 81 South: RoanokeUse the straight lane.
13
Merge onto I 81
109 mi·1 hr 58 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: Roanoke
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
117 mi·2 hr 9 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on I 77; I 81; US 52
1.3 mi·1 min·I 77; I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 52
148 mi·2 hr 38 min·I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on I 81
0.7 mi·45 sec·I 81
Exit 1BToward I 40 West: Knoxville
18
Merge onto I 40
53 mi·59 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
155 mi·2 hr 46 min·I 40
Toward NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·3 min·I 40
Exit 213BToward I 24 West, I 40 West: NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
0.4 mi·42 sec·I 40
Toward I 40 West: Huntsville, MemphisUse the slight left lane.
22
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi·52 sec·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 40
2.3 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Exit 210AToward I 40 West, I 65 North: Memphis, LouisvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
197 mi·3 hr 33 min·I 40
Toward I 40 West: MemphisUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit onto I 40
0.1 mi·8 sec·I 40
Exit 10A-BToward I 240 West, I 40 West: Jackson Mississippi, Little Rock
26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
11 mi·13 min·I 40
Exit 10BToward I 40 West: Little RockUse the slight right lane.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
454 mi·7 hr 43 min·I 40
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40; US 270
12 mi·14 min·Tinker Diagonal
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on I 35; I 40; US 62; US 270
0.9 mi·1 min·Crosstown Expressway
30
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 270
4.7 mi·5 min·Crosstown Expressway
Exit 126Toward I 235 North, US 77 North, I 40 West, US 270 West: Oklahoma Health Center, State Capitol, Edmond, AmarilloUse the straight lane.
31
Continue on I 40; US 270
65 mi·1 hr 7 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Toward I 40 West, US 270 West: AmarilloUse the straight lane.
32
Continue on I 40
2.6 mi·2 min·Senator Ed Berrong Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Continue on I 40
24 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Continue on I 40
11 mi·10 min·Great Western Cattle Trail
Use the straight lane.
35
Continue on I 40
954 mi·16 hr 6 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Continue on I 40; US 66 Hist
155 mi·2 hr 46 min·Needles Freeway
37
Merge onto I 15
46 mi·48 min·Barstow and Mojave Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Continue on I 15; US 66 Hist; US 91 Hist; US 395 Hist
5.6 mi·6 min·CHP Officer Larry L. Wetterling and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Lieutenant Alfred E. Stewart Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Continue on I 15; US 66 Hist
6.3 mi·6 min·Barstow and Mojave Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Take the exit onto I 15
15 mi·16 min·I 15
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 109AToward I 10 West: Los AngelesUse the slight right lane.
42
Merge onto I 10
1.5 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
43
Take the exit
204 ft·5 sec
Use the slight left lane.
44
Merge onto I 10 EXPR
7.3 mi·7 min·I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
45
Merge onto I 10
1.2 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
0.9 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
47
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.3 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
48
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.9 mi·2 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
49
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.9 mi·2 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
50
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.6 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
51
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.4 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
52
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.5 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
53
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.1 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
54
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
2.0 mi·2 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.6 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
56
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
2.6 mi·2 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
57
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
12 mi·14 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
58
Merge onto US 101
0.4 mi·36 sec·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
59
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Exit 2BToward Alameda Street, Union StationUse the slight right lane.
60
Continue on I 10 EXPR
0.2 mi·32 sec·East Arcadia Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
61
Turn left onto North Los Angeles Street
0.3 mi·44 sec·North Los Angeles Street
62
Turn right onto East 1st Street
461 ft·17 sec·East 1st Street
63
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
To handle this 13-stop trek effectively, pace yourself by breaking the trip into manageable daily segments rather than pushing through exhaustion. Leaving early in the morning helps you clear traffic near the DC departure point before settling into your cruise. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially when navigating the longest, 1,043-mile stretch on the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, where service stations may be spaced further apart. Since you have 13 planned stops, use them to stretch and rotate drivers to stay alert. Prioritizing consistent, short breaks will make the 4-day timeline much more comfortable as you approach the West Coast.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 4-day trip.
Plan roughly 13 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 1336.2 miles from Washington, DC, or about 23h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 1043.3 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 220 miles or 4h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 1336.2 miles or 23h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 668.1 miles or 12h 17m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 45h 45m
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 Washington, DC 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.
+
Treat this as a 4-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Washington, DC
Aim for roughly 668 miles and 11.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Keep the middle miles efficient
Aim for roughly 668 miles and 11.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 3
Keep the middle miles efficient
Aim for roughly 668 miles and 11.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 4
Finish the approach into Los Angeles, CA
Aim for roughly 668 miles and 11.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 220 miles from Washington, DC.
This route usually feels better as a 4-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 13 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway for about 1043.3 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 48
5 decision points cluster between mile 76.8 and 1341.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
76.8 mi into trip|~1h 31m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 81 South: Roanoke
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Exit 1A
Toward I 81 South: Roanoke
9
661.1 mi into trip|~12h 7m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 213B
Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
8
663.3 mi into trip|~12h 11m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
8
863.6 mi into trip|~15h 49m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Little Rock
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 10B
Toward I 40 West: Little Rock
9
1341.7 mi into trip|~24h 1m in|I 40; US 270 / Crosstown Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 270 / Crosstown Expressway toward I 235 North, US 77 North, I 40 West, US 270 West: Oklahoma Health Center, State Capitol, Edmond, Amarillo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Exit 126
Toward I 235 North, US 77 North, I 40 West, US...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$443.05 one way
$886.10 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg935 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$485.24
$970.48
premium
$4.93
$518.28
$1,036.55
diesel
$5.61
$590.03
$1,180.06
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$443
Hotel (3n)
$240–$420
Meals
$100–$200
Total
$783–$1,063
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 935 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $281 in charging
· 9 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
801.7
9
$280.60
$128.28
Efficient EV
668.1
7
$233.83
$106.90
EV Truck/SUV
1069
13
$374.14
$171.03
Gas CO2
935 kg
EV CO2
313 kg (67% less)
This is a long EV road trip requiring 9 charging stops. Plan your route around charger locations and allow extra time for charging.
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
Washington, DC
Evening
in Washington on Saturday
Local time
7:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Afternoon
in Los Angeles on Saturday
Local time
4:34 PM
PDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Clear
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 18 at 1:22AM PDT until April 18 at 8:00AM PDT by NWS Eureka CA
44°F
Edgewood, NM
2004 mi in
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
3 hours earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
16 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
46h 54m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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.
Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument
National Monument
Home to the National Woman's Party for more than 90 years, this was the epicenter of the struggle for women's rights. From this house in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol and Supreme Court, Alice Paul an...
Preserving America's early transportation history, the C&O Canal began as a dream of passage to Western wealth. Operating for nearly 100 years the canal was a lifeline for communities along the Potoma...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a heavy emphasis on interstate travel, with 60% of your journey taking place on major highways. You will spend a substantial amount of time on I-40 and I-81, alongside the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. The latter presents the most significant challenge, featuring a massive, uninterrupted stretch of 1,043.3 miles. While the route offers the efficiency of high-speed transit, be prepared for the repetitive nature of long-distance interstate driving. As you move westward, the landscape evolves from the familiar density of the East to the expansive horizons typical of the journey toward the Pacific.
60% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
63 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 1043.3 mi on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
At 46h 54m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 76.8 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 48 significant decision points across 2672.4 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 76.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 661.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 663.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
5,510 ft15 ft
Total Climb
7,315 ft
Total Descent
7,045 ft
Highest Point
5,510 ft
~1908.9 mi in
Elevation Range
5,495 ft
Notable High Points
5,510 ft at ~1908.9 miles+199 ft prominence
5,472 ft at ~2290.6 miles+161 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Washington, DC and Los Angeles, CA, road signs point toward Nashville, Memphis, Louisville, Little Rock, State Capitol and Edmond - among others.
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 longest stretch is about 1043.3 miles on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 4-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 668 miles on day one.
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 13 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 76.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 661.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 663.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument and Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 46.9 hours each way, a round trip means 93.8 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.
