Yreka to Los Angeles is 639.2 miles and takes about 11h 44m via Cascade Wonderland Highway and I-5 Truck, with a fuel budget near $147 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a long-distance drive that crosses the entire state of California, starting in the Pacific Coast region and ending in the same region. If you're looking to get from Northern California to Southern California efficiently, this route is a straightforward option. With a recommended two days for travel, you can break up the 11-hour driving time and avoid a full day behind the wheel.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
319.6 miles from Yreka, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
424.9 mi
7h 38m
Cascade Wonderland Highway
128.5 mi
2h 24m
I 5 Truck
63.9 mi
1h 13m
Hollywood Freeway
16.2 mi
20m
Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi
4m
North Main Street
0.3 mi
<1m
North Spring Street
0.3 mi
<1m
East Center Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 424.9 mi, about 7h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Yreka, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on I 5 BUS; CA 3; US 99 Hist
0.3 mi·39 sec·North Main Street
2
Turn left onto East Center Street
0.1 mi·11 sec·East Center Street
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·21 sec
4
Merge onto I 5
93 mi·1 hr 45 min·Cascade Wonderland Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
36 mi·38 min·Cascade Wonderland Highway
6
Continue on I 5
93 mi·1 hr 39 min·Westside Freeway
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
16 mi·16 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
79 mi·1 hr 27 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi·48 sec·Westside Freeway
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
237 mi·4 hr 13 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
5.3 mi·6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·32 sec
Exit 153BToward CA 170 South: HollywoodUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on CA 170
16 mi·20 min·Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 2CToward BroadwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on West Aliso Street
409 ft·18 sec·West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn right onto North Spring Street
0.3 mi·35 sec·North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
20
Turn left onto West 1st Street
354 ft·12 sec·West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
21
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
Given the 11-hour estimated drive time, this route is best split over two days. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight hours, especially if you plan to drive straight through. You'll have about 11 hours of driving, so plan for at least 3 stops to stretch your legs and refuel. The longest stretch of highway is over 400 miles, so be sure to top off your tank before entering that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the extensive highway driving means fewer opportunities for services in some stretches.
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 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 319.6 miles from Yreka, CA, or about 5h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 424.9 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 141 miles or 2h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 319.6 miles or 5h 52m 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 319.6 miles or 5h 52m
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 10h 32m
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 Yreka, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Yreka, CA
Aim for roughly 320 miles and 5.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Los Angeles, CA
Aim for roughly 320 miles and 5.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 141 miles from Yreka, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 424.9 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 616.4 and 639.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
616.4 mi into trip|~11h 15m 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
622 mi into trip|~11h 21m 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
638.6 mi into trip|~11h 43m 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
638.8 mi into trip|~11h 43m in|North Spring Street
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
639.1 mi into trip|~11h 44m in|West 1st Street
Turn left onto West 1st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$146.92 one way
$293.83 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg224 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$151.39
$302.79
premium
$6.18
$155.45
$310.89
diesel
$5.61
$141.13
$282.25
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$147
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$277–$387
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 223.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $67 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
191.8
2
$67.12
$30.68
Efficient EV
159.8
1
$55.93
$25.57
EV Truck/SUV
255.7
3
$89.49
$40.91
Gas CO2
224 kg
EV CO2
75 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Yreka, CA
Evening
in Yreka on Saturday
Local time
6:27 PM
PDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Evening
in Los Angeles on Saturday
Local time
6:27 PM
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.
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
12 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
11h 44m 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.
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Whiskeytown Lake’s crystal-clear waters are iconic, but this 42,000-acre National Recreation Area offers much more. Explore waterfalls, hike rugged trails, uncover Gold Rush history, and witness the r...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
$15
near mile 88.2
Caution: Winter Hazards on Trails - Downed Trees and High Water
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 617.1
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
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 551
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 80% of the 639.2 miles on highways. The longest stretch of uninterrupted highway driving is 424.9 miles. Expect to transition from highway to surface roads as you approach your destination. The majority of your time will be spent on major freeways, which means you'll encounter a significant number of exits and potential traffic merging as you get closer to urban areas.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 424.9 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and Cascade Wonderland Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 616.4 miles in near I 5 Truck.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 639.2 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 616.4 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 622 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 638.6 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
The longest stretch is about 424.9 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 320 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 3 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 616.4 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 622 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 638.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, 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 11.7 hours each way, a round trip means 23.5 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.
