How far is Forest Ranch, CA from Los Angeles, CA?
The driving distance from Forest Ranch, CA to Los Angeles, CA is about 484.8 miles (780.2 km), with a travel time of about 08h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 445 miles (716.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 16h 08m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 08h 04m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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 Merced County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Forest Ranch and Los Angeles.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Forest Ranch and Los Angeles.
-
1
Start on Forest Ranch Road
1041 ft · 48 sec · Forest Ranch Road
-
2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Deer Creek Highway
14.2 mi · 18 min · Deer Creek Highway
-
3
Continue on East 8th Street
796 ft · 27 sec · East 8th Street
-
4
Turn left
110 m · 11 sec
-
5
Take the ramp straight
951 ft · 12 sec
-
6
Merge slight left
9.9 mi · 12 min
-
7
Keep slight left to continue on Oroville, Marysville
5.5 mi · 6 min
-
8
Merge slight right
19.1 mi · 22 min
-
9
Continue straight
11.1 mi · 13 min
-
10
Continue straight
1.5 mi · 3 min
-
11
Turn right onto 5th Street
1272 ft · 31 sec · 5th Street
-
12
Turn left onto E Street
4.2 mi · 5 min · E Street
-
13
Keep slight right
17.5 mi · 20 min
-
14
Merge slight left onto Bernie Richter Memorial Highway
4.9 mi · 6 min · Bernie Richter Memorial Highway
-
15
Continue on Golden State Highway
7.7 mi · 9 min · Golden State Highway
-
16
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
66.3 mi · 1 hr 14 min · Westside Freeway
-
17
Keep slight left to continue on Westside Freeway
1.2 km · 49 sec · Westside Freeway
-
18
Keep slight left to continue on Westside Freeway
236.6 mi · 4 hr 14 min · Westside Freeway
-
19
Keep slight right
58.4 mi · 1 hr 7 min
-
20
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Golden State Freeway
-
21
Keep slight right to continue on I 405 South
1354 ft · 18 sec
-
22
Keep slight left
5.3 mi · 6 min
-
23
Take the exit slight right toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
2508 ft · 33 sec
-
24
Continue on Hollywood Freeway
16.2 mi · 21 min · Hollywood Freeway
-
25
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway
636 ft · 17 sec
-
26
Continue on West Aliso Street
125 m · 18 sec · West Aliso Street
-
27
Turn right onto North Spring Street
1455 ft · 36 sec · North Spring Street
-
28
Turn left onto West 1st Street
108 m · 12 sec · West 1st Street
-
29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Forest Ranch and Los Angeles.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Westside Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on Westside Freeway
237 mi · 04h 14m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Sunny leaving Forest Ranch and Sunny near Los Angeles.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Forest Ranch to Los Angeles?
The road trip is about 484.8 miles (780.2 km) and usually takes 08h 04m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
South Dos Palos is a useful midpoint, sitting about 242.7 miles from Forest Ranch and 242.1 miles from Los Angeles.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 445 miles (716.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.8 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 7:30 AM PDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $107.13 one way or $214.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 152.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Forest Ranch and Sunny near Los Angeles.
Stop Ideas Near South Dos Palos
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 South Dos Palos.
Merced station
Madera
Denair station
Fresno station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Forest Ranch and Los Angeles. Straight-line distance: 444.97 mi (716.11 km).
#1 Forest Ranch
Situated at an elevation of 2415 feet in the Sierra Nevada foothills of Butte County, this unincorporated area lies on the ridge between Big Chico Creek and Butte Creek.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 39.8821100, -121.6727500 |
| Altitude | 736 |
| 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: 780 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 16h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 12h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 09h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 08h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 06h 55m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 06h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $107.13 | $214.25 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $111.20 | $222.40 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $114.45 | $228.90 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $143.95 | $287.89 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026