How far is Merced, CA from Los Angeles, CA?
The driving distance from Merced, CA to Los Angeles, CA is about 284.5 miles (457.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 257.3 miles (414.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 44m 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 04h 52m.
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 Kern County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Merced and Los Angeles.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Merced and Los Angeles.
-
1
Start on Canal Street
86 m · 14 sec · Canal Street
-
2
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Main Street
145 m · 20 sec · West Main Street
-
3
Turn left onto M Street
122 m · 18 sec · M Street
-
4
Turn left onto West 16th Street
1 mi · 2 min · West 16th Street
-
5
Take the ramp straight
985 ft · 24 sec
-
6
Merge slight left
54.3 mi · 1 hr 2 min
-
7
Keep slight left
41 mi · 44 min
-
8
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Highway
58.6 mi · 1 hr 3 min · Golden State Highway
-
9
Continue on Golden State Freeway
5.2 mi · 6 min · Golden State Freeway
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
27.4 mi · 30 min · Golden State Freeway
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
58.2 mi · 1 hr 7 min · Golden State Freeway
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Golden State Freeway
-
13
Keep slight right to continue on I 405 South
1354 ft · 18 sec
-
14
Keep slight left
5.3 mi · 6 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
2508 ft · 33 sec
-
16
Continue on Hollywood Freeway
16.2 mi · 21 min · Hollywood Freeway
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway
636 ft · 17 sec
-
18
Continue on West Aliso Street
125 m · 18 sec · West Aliso Street
-
19
Turn right onto North Spring Street
1455 ft · 36 sec · North Spring Street
-
20
Turn left onto West 1st Street
108 m · 12 sec · West 1st Street
-
21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Merced 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.
Golden State Highway
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Highway
58.6 mi · 01h 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.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Merced 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 Merced to Los Angeles?
The road trip is about 284.5 miles (457.9 km) and usually takes 04h 52m 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?
McFarland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 136.6 miles from Merced and 147.9 miles from Los Angeles.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 257.3 miles (414.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.2 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 7:16 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $57.92 one way or $115.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 89.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Merced and Mostly Sunny near Los Angeles.
Stop Ideas Near McFarland
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 McFarland.
Wasco station
Bakersfield
Corcoran station
Visalia, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Merced and Los Angeles. Straight-line distance: 257.3 mi (414.09 km).
#1 Merced
The most populous city in Merced County, California.
| Population | 88,235 |
| Coordinates | 37.3021600, -120.4829700 |
| Altitude | 52 |
| 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 (-118.243569, 34.052341)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 458 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $57.92 | $115.84 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $60.90 | $121.81 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $62.68 | $125.36 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $75.97 | $151.95 |
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.