How far is El Monte, CA from Los Angeles, CA?
The driving distance from El Monte, CA to Los Angeles, CA is about 13.4 miles (21.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 12.4 miles (20 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 35m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
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.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 17m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The most populous city in Los Angeles County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between El Monte and Los Angeles.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between El Monte and Los Angeles.
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1
Start on Valley Boulevard
3 m · 1 sec
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2
Turn right onto Valley Boulevard
61 m · 12 sec · Valley Boulevard
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3
Turn left onto Peck Road
24 m · 2 sec · Peck Road
-
4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 10 West: Los Angeles
1198 ft · 31 sec
-
5
Merge slight left onto San Bernardino Freeway
11.6 mi · 13 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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6
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
2349 ft · 36 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward Alameda Street, Union Station
798 ft · 19 sec
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8
Continue on East Arcadia Street
988 ft · 32 sec · East Arcadia Street
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9
Turn left onto North Los Angeles Street
1696 ft · 45 sec · North Los Angeles Street
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10
Turn right onto East 1st Street
141 m · 18 sec · East 1st Street
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11
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between El Monte and Los Angeles.
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.
San Bernardino Freeway
Merge slight left onto San Bernardino Freeway
11.6 mi · 00h 13m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny leaving El Monte and Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny near Los Angeles.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from El Monte to Los Angeles?
The road trip is about 13.4 miles (21.5 km) and usually takes 00h 17m 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?
Monterey Park is a useful midpoint, sitting about 6.5 miles from El Monte and 6.8 miles from Los Angeles.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 12.4 miles (20 km), while the road route adds roughly 1 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 7:54 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.71 one way or $5.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny around El Monte and Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny near Los Angeles.
Stop Ideas Near Monterey Park
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Bell Gardens Inn Los Angeles
City of South El Monte City Hall
City of Los Angeles
City Of El Monte Public Works Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Monterey Park.
Pasadena, California
Los Angeles Union Station
Glendale Transportation Center
La Crescenta, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between El Monte and Los Angeles. Straight-line distance: 12.42 mi (19.99 km).
#1 El Monte
The most populous city in Los Angeles County, California.
| Population | 112,344 |
| Coordinates | 34.0686200, -118.0275700 |
| Altitude | 91 |
| 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: 22 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $2.71 | $5.42 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $2.85 | $5.70 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $2.93 | $5.87 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $3.56 | $7.11 |
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 · May 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.