How far is San Mateo, CA from Los Angeles, CA?
The driving distance from San Mateo, CA to Los Angeles, CA is about 375.1 miles (603.7 km), with a travel time of about 05h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 333.3 miles (536.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 54m 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 57m.
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 Kings County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Mateo and Los Angeles.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Mateo and Los Angeles.
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1
Start on South El Camino Real
29 m · 7 sec · South El Camino Real
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2
Turn right onto East 3rd Avenue
2254 ft · 50 sec · East 3rd Avenue
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3
Turn right onto South Delaware Street
114 m · 15 sec · South Delaware Street
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4
Turn left onto East 4th Avenue
954 ft · 29 sec · East 4th Avenue
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5
Keep slight left to continue on East 4th Avenue
785 ft · 20 sec · East 4th Avenue
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6
Take the ramp slight right toward US 101 South: San Jose
1407 ft · 39 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Bayshore Freeway
17.3 mi · 20 min · Bayshore Freeway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Bayshore Freeway
42.4 mi · 49 min · Bayshore Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward CA 152 East: 10th Street, Pacheco Pass Road
1539 ft · 40 sec
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10
Turn left onto East 10th Street
108 m · 13 sec · East 10th Street
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11
Continue on Pacheco Pass Highway
40.6 mi · 50 min · Pacheco Pass Highway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 5: Los Angeles
3148 ft · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
181.1 mi · 3 hr 14 min · Westside Freeway
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14
Keep slight right
58.4 mi · 1 hr 7 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Golden State Freeway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on I 405 South
1354 ft · 18 sec
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17
Keep slight left
5.3 mi · 6 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
2508 ft · 33 sec
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19
Continue on Hollywood Freeway
16.2 mi · 21 min · Hollywood Freeway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway
636 ft · 17 sec
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21
Continue on West Aliso Street
125 m · 18 sec · West Aliso Street
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22
Turn right onto North Spring Street
1455 ft · 36 sec · North Spring Street
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23
Turn left onto West 1st Street
108 m · 12 sec · West 1st Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Mateo 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.
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny leaving San Mateo 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 San Mateo to Los Angeles?
The road trip is about 375.1 miles (603.7 km) and usually takes 05h 57m 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?
Avenal is a useful midpoint, sitting about 184.4 miles from San Mateo and 190.7 miles from Los Angeles.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 333.3 miles (536.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.8 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 5:06 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $76.38 one way or $152.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 117.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny around San Mateo and Sunny near Los Angeles.
Stop Ideas Near Avenal
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 Avenal.
Kettleman City, California
Lemoore, California
Lemoore (Naval Air Station), California
Corcoran station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Mateo and Los Angeles. Straight-line distance: 333.32 mi (536.43 km).
#1 San Mateo
The second most populous city in San Mateo County, California.
| Population | 102,398 |
| Coordinates | 37.5629900, -122.3255300 |
| Altitude | 13 |
| 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: 604 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 12h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $76.38 | $152.76 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $80.31 | $160.63 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $82.66 | $165.31 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $100.19 | $200.37 |
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 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.