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

The driving distance from Lancaster, CA to Los Angeles, CA is about 72.8 miles (117.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 15m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 45 miles (72.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 30m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
72.81 mi
01h 15m
Flight
45.04 mi
72.48 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lancaster.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
45.04 mi
Kilometers
72.48 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
72.81 mi
Kilometers
117.17 km
Drive Time
01h 15m

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 01h 15m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Los Angeles
Wed, Apr 22, 9:15 PM PDT
Return by in Lancaster
Wed, Apr 22, 10:30 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lancaster
2026-04-22T20:00
Arrive Los Angeles
Wed, Apr 22, 9:15 PM PDT
Route Timing
01h 15m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:15 AM to 11:15 AM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:00 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lancaster
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

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
Santa Clarita
CA

The second most populous city in Los Angeles County, California.

From Lancaster
35.4 mi
00h 37m
To Los Angeles
37.4 mi
00h 37m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
66°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
10 to 20 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 Lancaster and Los Angeles.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Sierra Highway

    2829 ft · 50 sec · Sierra Highway

  2. 2

    Turn right

    95 m · 11 sec

  3. 3

    Turn slight right onto West Avenue J

    1.1 km · 1 min · West Avenue J

  4. 4

    Turn left onto 10th Street West

    2 mi · 3 min · 10th Street West

  5. 5

    Turn right onto West Avenue L

    1808 ft · 35 sec · West Avenue L

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight right toward CA 14 South, CA 138 East: Los Angeles

    1257 ft · 31 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Antelope Valley Freeway

    40 mi · 45 min · Antelope Valley Freeway

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on Antelope Valley Freeway

    1.5 km · 1 min · Antelope Valley Freeway

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    2606 ft · 36 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Golden State Freeway

    2.6 mi · 3 min · Golden State Freeway

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on I 405 South

    1354 ft · 18 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left

    5.3 mi · 6 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 170 South: Hollywood

    2508 ft · 33 sec

  14. 14

    Continue on Hollywood Freeway

    16.2 mi · 21 min · Hollywood Freeway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward Broadway

    636 ft · 17 sec

  16. 16

    Continue on West Aliso Street

    125 m · 18 sec · West Aliso Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto North Spring Street

    1455 ft · 36 sec · North Spring Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto West 1st Street

    108 m · 14 sec · West 1st Street

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
19 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
26.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Antelope Valley Freeway
41.5 mi · 57%
Hollywood Freeway
16.2 mi · 22%
I 405 South
5.56 mi · 8%
Golden State Freeway
2.65 mi · 4%
10th Street West
2 mi · 3%
West Avenue J
0.7 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Antelope Valley Freeway

Merge slight left onto Antelope Valley Freeway

40 mi · 00h 45m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 15m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27.8 mi
45 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Santa Clarita
00h 37m from Lancaster
Leave By
4:00 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Lancaster 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 Lancaster to Los Angeles?

The road trip is about 72.8 miles (117.2 km) and usually takes 01h 15m 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?

Santa Clarita is a useful midpoint, sitting about 35.4 miles from Lancaster and 37.4 miles from Los Angeles.

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

The direct path is about 45 miles (72.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:00 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.83 one way or $29.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Santa Clarita

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 Santa Clarita and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 12.8 mi away

Acdd, Inc.

Santa Clarita
8443 Foothill Blvd, Sunland-Tujunga, CA 91040
Electrical installation service
City of Santa Clarita City Hall
Meeting point 8.1 mi away

City of Santa Clarita City Hall

Valencia , CA
23920 Valencia Blvd #120, Valencia, CA 91355
Rating 4.5/5 15 reviews City Hall,City government office
City of Santa Clarita: Newhall Community Center
Nearby stop 7.3 mi away

City of Santa Clarita: Newhall Community Center

Newhall , CA
22421 Market St, Newhall, CA 91321, United States
Rating 4.6/5 81 reviews Community center

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Santa Clarita.

RAIL

Santa Clarita-Newhall, California

2 mi away
24300 Railroad Avenue
RAIL

Chatsworth station

16 mi away
10040 Old Depot Plaza Road
RAIL

Simi Valley

19 mi away
5050 Los Angeles Avenue
RAIL

Van Nuys station

22 mi away
7724 Van Nuys Blvd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lancaster and Los Angeles. Straight-line distance: 45.04 mi (72.48 km).

Lancaster

#1 Lancaster

The most populous city in Los Angeles County, California.

Population155,822
Coordinates34.6980400, -118.1367400
Altitude719
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: Sierra Highway (-118.136881, 34.698025)
End: West 1st Street (-118.243569, 34.052341)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 117 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 25m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 49m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 27m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 12m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 02m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 54m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.57 gal
9.73 L · about $14.83
Round trip
$29.65
5.14 gal · 19.46 L
Estimated CO2
22.8 kg one way
Round trip: 45.7 kg / 101 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $14.83 $29.65
Mid-grade $6.07 $15.59 $31.18
Premium $6.24 $16.04 $32.09
Diesel $7.57 $19.45 $38.89

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 · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Lancaster and Los Angeles. The current time is 20:00:04.

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.