How far is La Jolla, CA from Los Angeles, CA?
The driving distance from La Jolla, CA to Los Angeles, CA is about 112.2 miles (180.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 100.3 miles (161.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 20m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 10m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Orange County, California, United States
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 La Jolla and Los Angeles.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Jolla and Los Angeles.
-
1
Start on the route
77 m · 20 sec
-
2
At the end of the road, turn left onto Herschel Avenue
48 m · 8 sec · Herschel Avenue
-
3
Turn right onto Prospect Street
1228 ft · 25 sec · Prospect Street
-
4
Continue on Prospect Place
1044 ft · 29 sec · Prospect Place
-
5
Turn left onto Torrey Pines Road
1.6 km · 2 min · Torrey Pines Road
-
6
Turn left onto Torrey Pines Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · Torrey Pines Road
-
7
Turn right onto La Jolla Village Drive
1.3 km · 2 min · La Jolla Village Drive
-
8
Take the ramp slight right toward I 5 North
1141 ft · 30 sec
-
9
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
1.8 mi · 2 min · San Diego Freeway
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway
36.3 mi · 43 min · San Diego Freeway
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway
18.1 mi · 21 min · San Diego Freeway
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway
7.4 mi · 9 min · San Diego Freeway
-
13
Keep slight right to continue on Bake Parkway
1.6 mi · 2 min
-
14
Keep slight right
6 mi · 7 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward Jamboree Road
1266 ft · 17 sec
-
16
Continue straight
527 ft · 11 sec
-
17
Turn right onto Jamboree Road
760 ft · 18 sec · Jamboree Road
-
18
Turn left onto El Camino Real
2.2 mi · 5 min · El Camino Real
-
19
Turn left onto Newport Avenue
109 m · 14 sec · Newport Avenue
-
20
Take the ramp right toward I 5 North: Los Angeles
1127 ft · 17 sec
-
21
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway
-
22
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.7 mi · 2 min · Santa Ana Freeway
-
23
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
9.4 mi · 11 min · Santa Ana Freeway
-
24
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
18 mi · 21 min · Santa Ana Freeway
-
25
Keep slight left to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
2.9 mi · 4 min · Santa Ana Freeway
-
26
Take the exit slight right toward Alameda Street, Union Station
798 ft · 19 sec
-
27
Continue on East Arcadia Street
988 ft · 32 sec · East Arcadia Street
-
28
Turn left onto North Los Angeles Street
1696 ft · 45 sec · North Los Angeles Street
-
29
Turn right onto East 1st Street
141 m · 18 sec · East 1st Street
-
30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between La Jolla and Los Angeles.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
San Diego Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway
36.3 mi · 00h 43m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving La Jolla 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 La Jolla to Los Angeles?
The road trip is about 112.2 miles (180.5 km) and usually takes 02h 10m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
San Juan Capistrano is a useful midpoint, sitting about 56.3 miles from La Jolla and 55.9 miles from Los Angeles.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 100.3 miles (161.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:10 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.79 one way or $49.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 35.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around La Jolla and Sunny near Los Angeles.
Stop Ideas Near San Juan Capistrano
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Blue Lantern Inn, A Four Sisters Inn
The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
City of Lake Forest
Laguna Niguel City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to San Juan Capistrano.
San Juan Capistrano
San Clemente Pier station
Irvine Transportation Center
Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between La Jolla and Los Angeles. Straight-line distance: 100.27 mi (161.37 km).
#1 La Jolla
Located along the Pacific coastline in San Diego County, this hilly community sits at a mean elevation of approximately 105 feet and features rugged ocean bluffs alongside sandy beaches.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 32.8472700, -117.2742000 |
| Altitude | 32 |
| 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 (-118.24357, 34.05234)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 181 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $24.79 | $49.59 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $25.74 | $51.47 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $26.49 | $52.98 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $33.32 | $66.63 |
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