How far is Carson, CA from Los Angeles, CA?

The driving distance from Carson, CA to Los Angeles, CA is about 17.9 miles (28.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 27m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 15.4 miles (24.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 54m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
17.88 mi
00h 27m
Flight
15.42 mi
24.81 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Carson.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
15.42 mi
Kilometers
24.81 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
17.88 mi
Kilometers
28.77 km
Drive Time
00h 27m

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 00h 27m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Los Angeles
Wed, Apr 22, 7:59 PM PDT
Return by in Carson
Wed, Apr 22, 8:26 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Carson
2026-04-22T19:32
Arrive Los Angeles
Wed, Apr 22, 7:59 PM PDT
Route Timing
00h 27m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:27 AM to 7:27 PM PDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:36 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Carson
10:00 PM PDT
Flexible departure

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.

Mid-route stop
Westmont
CA

City in DuPage County, Illinois, United States of America

From Carson
8.7 mi
00h 13m
To Los Angeles
9.2 mi
00h 13m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
70°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph W
Destination
70°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 15 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Carson and Los Angeles.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Carson and Los Angeles.

  1. 1

    Start on West Carson Street

    29 m · 9 sec · West Carson Street

  2. 2

    Continue on West Carson Street

    1346 ft · 37 sec · West Carson Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto South Figueroa Street

    1.4 km · 1 min · South Figueroa Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto I 110 North: Los Angeles

    965 ft · 26 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Harbor Freeway

    3.2 mi · 4 min · Harbor Freeway

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on Harbor Freeway

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Harbor Freeway

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on Harbor Freeway

    9.1 mi · 11 min · Harbor Freeway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward 3rd Street, 4th Street, 9th Street, 6th Street, Downtown

    1545 ft · 38 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on James M Wood Boulevard, 9th Street

    964 ft · 31 sec

  10. 10

    Turn straight onto James M Wood Boulevard

    547 ft · 14 sec · James M Wood Boulevard

  11. 11

    Continue on West 9th Street

    2941 ft · 1 min · West 9th Street

  12. 12

    Turn left onto South Main Street

    1.6 km · 2 min · South Main Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto West 1st Street

    21 m · 2 sec · West 1st Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Carson and Los Angeles.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
14 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
78.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Harbor Freeway
13.9 mi · 78%
South Main Street
0.99 mi · 6%
South Figueroa Street
0.88 mi · 5%
West 9th Street
0.56 mi · 3%
3rd Street
0.29 mi · 2%
James M Wood Boulevard
0.29 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Harbor Freeway

Keep slight right to continue on Harbor Freeway

9.12 mi · 00h 11m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 27m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+2.5 mi
15.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Westmont
00h 13m from Carson
Leave By
7:36 PM PDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Carson 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 Carson to Los Angeles?

The road trip is about 17.9 miles (28.8 km) and usually takes 00h 27m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Westmont is a useful midpoint, sitting about 8.7 miles from Carson and 9.2 miles from Los Angeles.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 15.4 miles (24.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.5 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:36 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.63 one way or $7.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Carson and Mostly Sunny near Los Angeles.

Stop Ideas Near Westmont

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Westmont and the surrounding midpoint area.
Bell Gardens Inn Los Angeles
Stay option 6.9 mi away

Bell Gardens Inn Los Angeles

Bell Gardens , CA
6328 S Eastern Ave, Bell Gardens, CA 90201, United States
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews Motel
City of South El Monte City Hall
Scenic stop 14.9 mi away

City of South El Monte City Hall

South El Monte , CA
1415 Santa Anita Ave, South El Monte, CA 91733, United States
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Park,City or town hall
Palos Verdes Estates City Hall
Meeting point 12.3 mi away

Palos Verdes Estates City Hall

Palos Verdes Estates , CA
340 Palos Verdes Dr W, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274, United States
Rating 5.0/5 8 reviews City or town hall,City government office
Rolling Hills Estates City Hall
Nearby stop 12.3 mi away

Rolling Hills Estates City Hall

Rolling Hills Estates , CA
4045 Palos Verdes Dr N, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274, United States
Rating 5.0/5 4 reviews City or town hall

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Westmont.

BUS

El Segundo, CA

8 mi away
700 South Douglas Street
BUS

Westchester, CA

9 mi away
6860 Park Terrace Drive
BUS

Torrance, CA

11 mi away
20575 Hamilton Avenue
RAIL

Los Angeles Union Station

14 mi away
800 North Alameda Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Carson and Los Angeles. Straight-line distance: 15.42 mi (24.81 km).

Carson

#1 Carson

A city in Los Angeles County, California.

Population89,860
Coordinates33.8314100, -118.2820200
Altitude12
CountryUnited States
Los Angeles

#2 Los Angeles

The second most populous city in the United States and the center of the Los Angeles metropolitan area.

Population3,970,219
Coordinates34.0522300, -118.2436800
Altitude89
CountryUnited States
Start: West Carson Street (-118.282019, 33.831572)
End: West 1st Street (-118.243569, 34.052341)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 29 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 35m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 26m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 21m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 17m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 15m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.63 gal
2.39 L · about $3.63
Round trip
$7.27
1.26 gal · 4.78 L
Estimated CO2
5.6 kg one way
Round trip: 11.2 kg / 25 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $3.63 $7.27
Mid-grade $6.07 $3.82 $7.64
Premium $6.24 $3.93 $7.87
Diesel $7.57 $4.77 $9.53

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Carson and Los Angeles. The current time is 19:32:14.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.