How far is Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA from Los Angeles, CA?
The driving distance from Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA to Los Angeles, CA is about 323.3 miles (520.3 km), with a travel time of about 05h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 270 miles (434.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 01m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 05h 30m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census-designated place in Kern County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Los Angeles.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Los Angeles.
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1
Start on Ocean Avenue
25 m · 8 sec · Ocean Avenue
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2
Continue on Ocean Avenue
1.1 km · 2 min · Ocean Avenue
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3
Turn left onto Cabrillo Highway
4 mi · 5 min · Cabrillo Highway
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4
Keep slight right to continue on CA 68: North Fremont Street, Salinas
16 mi · 21 min
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5
Turn right onto East Blanco Road
1.6 mi · 2 min · East Blanco Road
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6
Continue on South Sanborn Road
1.2 km · 59 sec · South Sanborn Road
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7
Take the exit right
1061 ft · 26 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto El Camino Real
94.6 mi · 1 hr 49 min · El Camino Real
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9
Take the exit slight right toward CA 46 East: Fresno, Bakersfield
968 ft · 30 sec
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10
Turn left
25.9 mi · 30 min
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11
Turn slight right
149 m · 6 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Antelope Road
5.3 mi · 7 min · Antelope Road
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13
Continue on Paso Robles Highway
32.3 mi · 39 min · Paso Robles Highway
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14
Take the exit slight right
2047 ft · 25 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
56.8 mi · 1 hr 1 min · Westside Freeway
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16
Keep slight right
58.4 mi · 1 hr 7 min
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17
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Golden State Freeway
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18
Keep slight right to continue on I 405 South
1354 ft · 18 sec
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19
Keep slight left
5.3 mi · 6 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
2508 ft · 33 sec
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21
Continue on Hollywood Freeway
16.2 mi · 21 min · Hollywood Freeway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway
636 ft · 17 sec
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23
Continue on West Aliso Street
125 m · 18 sec · West Aliso Street
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24
Turn right onto North Spring Street
1455 ft · 36 sec · North Spring Street
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25
Turn left onto West 1st Street
108 m · 14 sec · West 1st Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Los Angeles.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
El Camino Real
Merge slight left onto El Camino Real
94.6 mi · 01h 49m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Carmel-by-the-Sea and Mostly Sunny near Los Angeles.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carmel-by-the-Sea to Los Angeles?
The road trip is about 323.3 miles (520.3 km) and usually takes 05h 30m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Lost Hills is a useful midpoint, sitting about 162 miles from Carmel-by-the-Sea and 161.3 miles from Los Angeles.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 270 miles (434.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 53.3 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:58 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $65.82 one way or $131.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 101.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Carmel-by-the-Sea and Mostly Sunny near Los Angeles.
Stop Ideas Near Lost Hills
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lost Hills.
Wasco station
Kettleman City, California
Corcoran station
Bakersfield
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Los Angeles. Straight-line distance: 270.07 mi (434.63 km).
#1 Carmel-by-the-Sea
City in Monterey County, California
| Population | 3,744 |
| Coordinates | 36.5552400, -121.9232900 |
| Altitude | 68 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Los Angeles
The second most populous city in the United States and the center of the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
| Population | 3,970,219 |
| Coordinates | 34.0522300, -118.2436800 |
| Altitude | 89 |
| Country | United States |
End: West 1st Street (-118.243569, 34.052341)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 520 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $65.82 | $131.65 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $69.21 | $138.43 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $71.23 | $142.47 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $86.34 | $172.68 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in California · Apr 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.