How far is Los Angeles, CA from Taft, CA?
The driving distance from Los Angeles, CA to Taft, CA is about 118.9 miles (191.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 102.2 miles (164.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 55m 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 27m.
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 California, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Los Angeles and Taft.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles and Taft.
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1
Start on West 1st Street
761 ft · 34 sec · West 1st Street
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2
Turn right onto North Broadway
1959 ft · 55 sec · North Broadway
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3
Take the ramp right toward US 101 North, CA 110
1234 ft · 30 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
1.1 km · 55 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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5
Continue on Hollywood Freeway
15.5 mi · 20 min · Hollywood Freeway
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6
Keep slight left
1.4 km · 59 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Golden State Freeway
4.5 mi · 5 min · Golden State Freeway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Golden State Freeway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
1.5 mi · 2 min
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10
Keep slight left
36.1 mi · 42 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
22.3 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Westside Freeway
4.3 mi · 5 min · Westside Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward CA 166: Maricopa, Taft
1271 ft · 37 sec
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14
Turn left onto Maricopa Highway
22.4 mi · 31 min · Maricopa Highway
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15
Continue on Poso Street
2486 ft · 52 sec · Poso Street
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16
Turn right onto California Street
2112 ft · 52 sec · California Street
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17
Continue on West Side Highway
5.7 mi · 8 min · West Side Highway
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18
Continue on Taft Highway
568 ft · 10 sec · Taft Highway
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19
Turn left onto West Side Highway
2407 ft · 50 sec · West Side Highway
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20
Continue on Kern Street
1551 ft · 40 sec · Kern Street
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21
Turn right onto 4th Street
32 m · 5 sec · 4th Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 4th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Los Angeles and Taft.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 5 Truck North
Keep slight left
36.1 mi · 00h 42m
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 Taft.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Los Angeles to Taft?
The road trip is about 118.9 miles (191.4 km) and usually takes 02h 27m 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?
Lebec is a useful midpoint, sitting about 59.5 miles from Los Angeles and 59.5 miles from Taft.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 102.2 miles (164.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.7 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 1:34 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.23 one way or $48.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Los Angeles and Mostly Sunny near Taft.
Stop Ideas Near Lebec
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 Lebec.
Fillmore, California
Tehachapi, California
Santa Paula, California
Santa Clarita-Newhall, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Los Angeles and Taft. Straight-line distance: 102.14 mi (164.38 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 Taft
City in Kern County, California, United States
| Population | 8,488 |
| Coordinates | 35.1424700, -119.4565100 |
| Altitude | 291 |
| Country | United States |
End: Taft (-119.45651, 35.14247)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 191 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $24.23 | $48.46 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $25.48 | $50.95 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $26.22 | $52.44 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $31.78 | $63.56 |
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.