How far is Palo Alto, CA from Los Angeles, CA?
The driving distance from Palo Alto, CA to Los Angeles, CA is about 357.2 miles (574.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 320.3 miles (515.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 24m 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 05h 42m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census-designated place in Kings County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Palo Alto and Los Angeles.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palo Alto and Los Angeles.
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1
Start on Middlefield Road
30 m · 11 sec · Middlefield Road
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2
Turn sharp right onto Embarcadero Road
1 mi · 3 min · Embarcadero Road
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3
Take the ramp straight toward US 101 South: San Jose
2301 ft · 58 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Bayshore Freeway
3.4 mi · 4 min · Bayshore Freeway
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5
Keep slight left to continue on Bayshore Freeway
42.4 mi · 49 min · Bayshore Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward CA 152 East: 10th Street, Pacheco Pass Road
1539 ft · 40 sec
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7
Turn left onto East 10th Street
108 m · 13 sec · East 10th Street
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8
Continue on Pacheco Pass Highway
40.6 mi · 50 min · Pacheco Pass Highway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 5: Los Angeles
3148 ft · 1 min
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10
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
181.1 mi · 3 hr 14 min · Westside Freeway
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11
Keep slight right
58.4 mi · 1 hr 7 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Golden State Freeway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 405 South
1354 ft · 18 sec
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14
Keep slight left
5.3 mi · 6 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
2508 ft · 33 sec
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16
Continue on Hollywood Freeway
16.2 mi · 21 min · Hollywood Freeway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway
636 ft · 17 sec
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18
Continue on West Aliso Street
125 m · 18 sec · West Aliso Street
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19
Turn right onto North Spring Street
1455 ft · 36 sec · North Spring Street
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20
Turn left onto West 1st Street
108 m · 14 sec · West 1st Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Palo Alto and Los Angeles.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Westside Freeway
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
181 mi · 03h 14m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Palo Alto and Patchy Fog then 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 Palo Alto to Los Angeles?
The road trip is about 357.2 miles (574.9 km) and usually takes 05h 42m 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?
Kettleman City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 177.6 miles from Palo Alto and 179.6 miles from Los Angeles.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 320.3 miles (515.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.9 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 5:36 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $72.75 one way or $145.49 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 112.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Palo Alto and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near Los Angeles.
Stop Ideas Near Kettleman City
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 Kettleman City.
Kettleman City, California
Lemoore, California
Corcoran station
Lemoore (Naval Air Station), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Palo Alto and Los Angeles. Straight-line distance: 320.35 mi (515.55 km).
#1 Palo Alto
The most populous city in Santa Clara County, California.
| Population | 67,008 |
| Coordinates | 37.4418800, -122.1430200 |
| Altitude | 9 |
| 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: 575 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $72.75 | $145.49 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $76.49 | $152.98 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $78.72 | $157.45 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $95.42 | $190.84 |
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 07, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.