How far is Los Angeles, CA from Malibu, CA?
The driving distance from Los Angeles, CA to Malibu, CA is about 33.4 miles (53.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 30.8 miles (49.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 42m 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 00h 51m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
A city in Los Angeles County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Los Angeles and Malibu.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles and Malibu.
-
1
Start on West 1st Street
108 m · 20 sec · West 1st Street
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2
Turn left onto South Spring Street
1238 ft · 27 sec · South Spring Street
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3
Turn right onto West 3rd Street
3053 ft · 60 sec · West 3rd Street
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward CA 110 South, CA 110 North: Harbor Freeway
32 m · 3 sec
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5
Keep slight left to continue on CA 110 South: Harbor Freeway
1355 ft · 33 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Harbor Freeway
1 mi · 1 min · Harbor Freeway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 10: Santa Monica Freeway
1647 ft · 40 sec
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 10 West: Washington Boulevard
1353 ft · 33 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 10 West: Santa Monica
629 ft · 15 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Santa Monica Freeway
13 mi · 15 min · Santa Monica Freeway
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11
Continue on Pacific Coast Highway
17.5 mi · 31 min · Pacific Coast Highway
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Pacific Coast Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Los Angeles and Malibu.
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.
Pacific Coast Highway
Continue on Pacific Coast Highway
17.5 mi · 00h 31m
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 Los Angeles and Mostly Sunny near Malibu.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Los Angeles to Malibu?
The road trip is about 33.4 miles (53.7 km) and usually takes 00h 51m 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 Monica is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16.7 miles from Los Angeles and 16.7 miles from Malibu.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 30.8 miles (49.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.6 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 4:48 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.81 one way or $13.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Los Angeles and Mostly Sunny near Malibu.
Stop Ideas Near Santa Monica
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel
City of Beverly Hills Parking Lot
City of Gardena-Human Services Department
Topanga Canyon Town Council
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Santa Monica.
Westwood-UCLA, CA
Westchester, CA
El Segundo, CA
Van Nuys station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Los Angeles and Malibu. Straight-line distance: 30.78 mi (49.54 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Malibu
City in Los Angeles County, California, United States
| Population | 11,519 |
| Coordinates | 34.0257700, -118.7804000 |
| Altitude | 32 |
| Country | United States |
End: Malibu (-118.7804, 34.02577)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 54 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $6.81 | $13.61 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $7.16 | $14.32 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $7.37 | $14.73 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $8.93 | $17.86 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.