How far is South Dos Palos, CA from Los Angeles, CA?
The driving distance from South Dos Palos, CA to Los Angeles, CA is about 257.1 miles (413.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 242.6 miles (390.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 31m 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 15m.
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.
Place in Kern County California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between South Dos Palos and Los Angeles.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Dos Palos and Los Angeles.
-
1
Start on Santa Fe Grade
33 m · 10 sec · Santa Fe Grade
-
2
Turn left onto 6th Street
1458 ft · 1 min · 6th Street
-
3
Continue on Shain Avenue
1.3 km · 3 min · Shain Avenue
-
4
Turn right onto North Elgin Avenue
20.3 mi · 28 min · North Elgin Avenue
-
5
Continue on Derrick Avenue
1611 ft · 34 sec · Derrick Avenue
-
6
Turn straight onto Derrick Avenue
22.5 mi · 31 min · Derrick Avenue
-
7
Take the ramp left
1144 ft · 28 sec
-
8
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
127.4 mi · 2 hr 17 min · Westside Freeway
-
9
Keep slight right
58.4 mi · 1 hr 7 min
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Golden State Freeway
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on I 405 South
1354 ft · 18 sec
-
12
Keep slight left
5.3 mi · 6 min
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
2508 ft · 33 sec
-
14
Continue on Hollywood Freeway
16.2 mi · 21 min · Hollywood Freeway
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway
636 ft · 17 sec
-
16
Continue on West Aliso Street
125 m · 18 sec · West Aliso Street
-
17
Turn right onto North Spring Street
1455 ft · 36 sec · North Spring Street
-
18
Turn left onto West 1st Street
108 m · 12 sec · West 1st Street
-
19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between South Dos Palos 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.
Westside Freeway
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
127 mi · 02h 17m
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 South Dos Palos 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 South Dos Palos to Los Angeles?
The road trip is about 257.1 miles (413.8 km) and usually takes 04h 15m 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?
Buttonwillow is a useful midpoint, sitting about 128.6 miles from South Dos Palos and 128.6 miles from Los Angeles.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 242.6 miles (390.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.5 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 8:28 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $52.32 one way or $104.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 80.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around South Dos Palos and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near Los Angeles.
Stop Ideas Near Buttonwillow
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 Buttonwillow.
Wasco station
Bakersfield
Corcoran station
Kettleman City, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between South Dos Palos and Los Angeles. Straight-line distance: 242.57 mi (390.38 km).
#1 South Dos Palos
Census-designated place in Merced County, California
| Population | 1,620 |
| Coordinates | 36.9643900, -120.6532400 |
| Altitude | 36 |
| 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 (-118.24357, 34.05234)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 414 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $52.32 | $104.65 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $55.02 | $110.04 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $56.62 | $113.25 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $68.63 | $137.27 |
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 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.