How far is Morro Bay, CA from Los Angeles, CA?

The driving distance from Morro Bay, CA to Los Angeles, CA is about 201.3 miles (324 km), with a travel time of about 03h 26m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 173.6 miles (279.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 52m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
201.32 mi
03h 26m
Flight
173.63 mi
279.43 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Morro Bay.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
173.63 mi
Kilometers
279.43 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
201.32 mi
Kilometers
324 km
Drive Time
03h 26m

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 03h 26m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Los Angeles
Tue, May 19, 10:37 PM PDT
Return by in Morro Bay
Wed, May 20, 2:03 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Morro Bay
2026-05-19T19:10
Arrive Los Angeles
Tue, May 19, 10:37 PM PDT
Route Timing
03h 26m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:26 AM to 11:26 AM PDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:08 AM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Morro Bay
9:00 PM PDT
Early departure recommended

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
Mission Canyon
CA

Census-designated place in Santa Barbara County, California

From Morro Bay
100.5 mi
01h 43m
To Los Angeles
100.8 mi
01h 43m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
46°F
Tonight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Tue, May 19 6:00 PM PDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph NW
Destination
79°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 19 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Morro Bay and Los Angeles.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Morro Bay and Los Angeles.

  1. 1

    Start on Main Street

    12 m · 3 sec · Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Morro Bay Boulevard

    2675 ft · 53 sec · Morro Bay Boulevard

  3. 3

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Morro Bay Boulevard

    29 m · 2 sec · Morro Bay Boulevard

  4. 4

    Exit the roundabout onto Morro Bay Boulevard

    72 m · 5 sec · Morro Bay Boulevard

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right

    1021 ft · 25 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Cabrillo Highway

    10.1 mi · 12 min · Cabrillo Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on North Santa Rosa Street

    1.7 mi · 3 min · North Santa Rosa Street

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Olive Street

    1013 ft · 36 sec · Olive Street

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Cabrillo Highway

    11.6 mi · 13 min · Cabrillo Highway

  10. 10

    Continue on El Camino Real

    44.8 mi · 52 min · El Camino Real

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 154: Los Olivos, Lake Cachuma

    1266 ft · 37 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Chumash Highway

    6.4 mi · 10 min · Chumash Highway

  13. 13

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Chumash Highway

    39 m · 2 sec · Chumash Highway

  14. 14

    Exit the roundabout onto Chumash Highway

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Chumash Highway

  15. 15

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Chumash Highway

    35 m · 2 sec · Chumash Highway

  16. 16

    Exit the roundabout onto Chumash Highway

    23.9 mi · 33 min · Chumash Highway

  17. 17

    Take the ramp slight left toward US 101 South

    1206 ft · 32 sec

  18. 18

    Merge slight left onto El Camino Real

    17 mi · 20 min · El Camino Real

  19. 19

    Continue on Ventura Freeway

    70.5 mi · 1 hr 21 min · Ventura Freeway

  20. 20

    Keep slight right to continue on Route 101

    1 km · 44 sec · Route 101

  21. 21

    Merge slight left onto Hollywood Freeway

    10.3 mi · 14 min · Hollywood Freeway

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight right toward Broadway

    636 ft · 17 sec

  23. 23

    Continue on West Aliso Street

    125 m · 18 sec · West Aliso Street

  24. 24

    Turn right onto North Spring Street

    1455 ft · 36 sec · North Spring Street

  25. 25

    Turn left onto West 1st Street

    108 m · 14 sec · West 1st Street

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Morro Bay 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
26 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
14
4 merges, 10 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Ventura Freeway
70.5 mi · 35%
El Camino Real
61.8 mi · 31%
Chumash Highway
32.6 mi · 16%
Cabrillo Highway
21.7 mi · 11%
Hollywood Freeway
10.3 mi · 5%
North Santa Rosa Street
1.74 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Ventura Freeway

Continue on Ventura Freeway

70.5 mi · 01h 21m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 26m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27.7 mi
173.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Mission Canyon
01h 43m from Morro Bay
Leave By
10:08 AM PDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Clear leaving Morro Bay 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 Morro Bay to Los Angeles?

The road trip is about 201.3 miles (324 km) and usually takes 03h 26m 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?

Mission Canyon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 100.5 miles from Morro Bay and 100.8 miles from Los Angeles.

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

The direct path is about 173.6 miles (279.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.7 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:08 AM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.96 one way or $81.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Morro Bay and Sunny near Los Angeles.

Stop Ideas Near Mission Canyon

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 Mission Canyon and the surrounding midpoint area.
Best Western Plus Carpinteria Inn
Stay option 14.5 mi away

Best Western Plus Carpinteria Inn

Carpinteria , CA
4558 Carpinteria Ave, Carpinteria, CA 93013, United States
Rating 4.0/5 971 reviews Hotel
Ocean Mesa RV Resort
Scenic stop 14.5 mi away

Ocean Mesa RV Resort

Goleta , CA
100 El Capitan Terrace Ln, Goleta, CA 93117, United States
Rating 4.3/5 333 reviews RV park,Campground
City of Santa Barbara Police Department
Meeting point 4.6 mi away

City of Santa Barbara Police Department

Santa Barbara , CA
215 E Figueroa St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
Rating 2.3/5 66 reviews City government office,Police department
City of Santa Barbara City Hall
Nearby stop 4.9 mi away

City of Santa Barbara City Hall

Santa Barbara , CA
735 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
Rating 3.7/5 18 reviews City or town hall

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mission Canyon.

RAIL

Santa Barbara

5 mi away
209 State Street
RAIL

Goleta station

12 mi away
25 South La Patera Lane
RAIL

Carpinteria station

19 mi away
475 Linden at Fifth Street
BUS

Solvang, California

42 mi away
1630 Mission Drive

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Morro Bay and Los Angeles. Straight-line distance: 173.63 mi (279.43 km).

Morro Bay

#1 Morro Bay

City in San Luis Obispo County, California.

Population10,560
Coordinates35.3658100, -120.8499000
Altitude19
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: Main Street (-120.849996, 35.365809)
End: West 1st Street (-118.243569, 34.052341)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 324 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 42m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 02m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 01m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 21m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 52m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 30m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.1 gal
26.89 L · about $40.96
Round trip
$81.92
14.2 gal · 53.78 L
Estimated CO2
63.1 kg one way
Round trip: 126.2 kg / 278 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $40.96 $81.92
Mid-grade $6.07 $43.07 $86.14
Premium $6.24 $44.33 $88.65
Diesel $7.57 $53.73 $107.45

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 · May 20, 2026

There is no time difference between Morro Bay and Los Angeles. The current time is 19:10:40.

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.