How far is Santa Clara, CA from Los Angeles, CA?
The driving distance from Santa Clara, CA to Los Angeles, CA is about 346.6 miles (557.8 km), with a travel time of about 05h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 308.8 miles (497 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 08m 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 34m.
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.
Census-designated place in Kings County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Santa Clara and Los Angeles.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Clara and Los Angeles.
-
1
Start on Lincoln Street
638 ft · 20 sec · Lincoln Street
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2
Turn left onto El Camino Real
2617 ft · 1 min · El Camino Real
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3
Turn slight right
46 m · 7 sec
-
4
Turn slight right onto Lafayette Street
3205 ft · 1 min · Lafayette Street
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5
Turn left onto Market Street
925 ft · 29 sec · Market Street
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6
Continue on The Alameda
1708 ft · 39 sec · The Alameda
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7
Continue on The Alameda
2579 ft · 1 min · The Alameda
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8
Take the ramp slight right toward I 880 North: Oakland
820 ft · 22 sec
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9
Merge slight left
1.8 mi · 2 min
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10
Take the exit right toward US 101 South: Los Angeles
1515 ft · 39 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Bayshore Freeway
32.1 mi · 37 min · Bayshore Freeway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward CA 152 East: 10th Street, Pacheco Pass Road
1539 ft · 40 sec
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13
Turn left onto East 10th Street
108 m · 13 sec · East 10th Street
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14
Continue on Pacheco Pass Highway
40.6 mi · 50 min · Pacheco Pass Highway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 5: Los Angeles
3148 ft · 1 min
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16
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
181.1 mi · 3 hr 14 min · Westside Freeway
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17
Keep slight right
58.4 mi · 1 hr 7 min
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Golden State Freeway
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19
Keep slight right to continue on I 405 South
1354 ft · 18 sec
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20
Keep slight left
5.3 mi · 6 min
-
21
Take the exit slight right toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
2508 ft · 33 sec
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22
Continue on Hollywood Freeway
16.2 mi · 21 min · Hollywood Freeway
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23
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway
636 ft · 17 sec
-
24
Continue on West Aliso Street
125 m · 18 sec · West Aliso Street
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25
Turn right onto North Spring Street
1455 ft · 36 sec · North Spring Street
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26
Turn left onto West 1st Street
108 m · 12 sec · West 1st Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Clara 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.
Sunny leaving Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara to Los Angeles?
The road trip is about 346.6 miles (557.8 km) and usually takes 05h 34m 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 172.3 miles from Santa Clara and 174.3 miles from Los Angeles.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 308.8 miles (497 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.8 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 5:52 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $70.55 one way or $141.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 108.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Santa Clara and 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 Santa Clara and Los Angeles. Straight-line distance: 308.83 mi (497.02 km).
#1 Santa Clara
The third most populous city in Santa Clara County, California.
| Population | 131,055 |
| Coordinates | 37.3541100, -121.9552400 |
| Altitude | 23 |
| 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: 558 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 57m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $70.55 | $141.11 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $74.19 | $148.37 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $76.35 | $152.70 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $92.54 | $185.09 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.