How far is Irvine, CA from Los Banos, CA?
The driving distance from Irvine, CA to Los Banos, CA is about 309.5 miles (498.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 289.6 miles (466.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 35m 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 47m.
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.
City in Monterey County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Irvine and Los Banos.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Irvine and Los Banos.
-
1
Start on San Diego Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · San Diego Freeway
-
2
Take the exit slight right toward University Drive, Jeffrey Road
1456 ft · 21 sec
-
3
Turn left onto Jeffrey Road
951 ft · 22 sec · Jeffrey Road
-
4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 405 North: Los Angeles
1228 ft · 18 sec
-
5
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
4.2 mi · 5 min · San Diego Freeway
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward CA 55 South, CA 55 North: Freeway
1254 ft · 16 sec
-
7
Keep slight right to continue on CA 55 North
2685 ft · 35 sec
-
8
Merge slight left onto Costa Mesa Freeway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Costa Mesa Freeway
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on Costa Mesa Freeway
2136 ft · 28 sec · Costa Mesa Freeway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 North: Santa Ana
1.1 km · 47 sec
-
11
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
2756 ft · 36 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.7 mi · 2 min · Santa Ana Freeway
-
13
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
9.4 mi · 11 min · Santa Ana Freeway
-
14
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
18 mi · 21 min · Santa Ana Freeway
-
15
Keep slight right to continue on Golden State Freeway
25.5 mi · 30 min · Golden State Freeway
-
16
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Golden State Freeway
-
17
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
1.5 mi · 2 min
-
18
Keep slight left
36.1 mi · 42 min
-
19
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
22.3 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway
-
20
Keep slight right to continue on Westside Freeway
171 mi · 3 hr 3 min · Westside Freeway
-
21
Take the exit slight right toward CA 165 North: Los Banos
981 ft · 27 sec
-
22
Turn right onto Mercey Springs Road
8.7 mi · 13 min · Mercey Springs Road
-
23
Turn left onto East Pacheco Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · East Pacheco Boulevard
-
24
Turn sharp right onto 6th Street
564 ft · 25 sec · 6th Street
-
25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 6th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Irvine and Los Banos.
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 right to continue on Westside Freeway
171 mi · 03h 03m
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 Irvine and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Los Banos.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Irvine to Los Banos?
The road trip is about 309.5 miles (498.1 km) and usually takes 05h 47m 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?
Greenfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 154.8 miles from Irvine and 154.7 miles from Los Banos.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 289.6 miles (466.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.9 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 5:24 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $63.00 one way or $125.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 97 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Irvine and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Los Banos.
Stop Ideas Near Greenfield
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 Greenfield.
Bakersfield
Wasco station
Tehachapi, California
Mojave, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Irvine and Los Banos. Straight-line distance: 289.63 mi (466.12 km).
#1 Irvine
A city located in Orange County, California.
| Population | 283,700 |
| Coordinates | 33.6694600, -117.8231100 |
| Altitude | 17 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Los Banos
The county seat of Merced County, California.
| Population | 40,571 |
| Coordinates | 37.0582800, -120.8499200 |
| Altitude | 36 |
| Country | United States |
End: Los Banos (-120.84992, 37.05828)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 498 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $63.00 | $125.99 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $66.24 | $132.48 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $68.17 | $136.35 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $82.63 | $165.26 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.