How far is Topanga, CA from Los Angeles, CA?
The driving distance from Topanga, CA to Los Angeles, CA is about 26.2 miles (42.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 20.7 miles (33.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 39m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 00h 49m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
A city in Los Angeles 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 Topanga and Los Angeles.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Topanga and Los Angeles.
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1
Start on Poquito Lane
76 m · 13 sec · Poquito Lane
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2
Turn left onto Entrada Road
614 ft · 33 sec · Entrada Road
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3
Turn left onto North Topanga Canyon Boulevard
4.7 mi · 9 min · North Topanga Canyon Boulevard
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4
At the end of the road, turn left onto Pacific Coast Highway
5.6 mi · 11 min · Pacific Coast Highway
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5
Continue on Santa Monica Freeway
10.7 mi · 13 min · Santa Monica Freeway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Monica Freeway
2.7 mi · 3 min · Santa Monica Freeway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward Grand Avenue, Olive Street, Convention Center
1301 ft · 32 sec
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8
Turn straight onto West 18th Street
1452 ft · 39 sec · West 18th Street
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9
Turn left onto South Main Street
1.8 mi · 4 min · South Main Street
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10
Turn left onto West 1st Street
21 m · 2 sec · West 1st Street
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11
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Topanga and Los Angeles.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Santa Monica Freeway
Continue on Santa Monica Freeway
10.7 mi · 00h 13m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Topanga 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 Topanga to Los Angeles?
The road trip is about 26.2 miles (42.2 km) and usually takes 00h 49m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Santa Monica is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13 miles from Topanga and 13.2 miles from Los Angeles.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 20.7 miles (33.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:50 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.82 one way or $11.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Topanga and Sunny near Los Angeles.
Stop Ideas Near Santa Monica
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel
City of Beverly Hills Parking Lot
City of Los Angeles
Vernon City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Santa Monica.
Westwood-UCLA, CA
Westchester, CA
El Segundo, CA
Van Nuys station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Topanga and Los Angeles. Straight-line distance: 20.67 mi (33.27 km).
#1 Topanga
Situated in the Santa Monica Mountains of Los Angeles County at an approximate elevation of 840 feet, this unincorporated community defines a rugged canyon connecting the San Fernando Valley to the Malibu coast.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 34.0936200, -118.6014700 |
| Altitude | 256 |
| 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: 42 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $5.82 | $11.65 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $6.04 | $12.09 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $6.22 | $12.44 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $7.82 | $15.65 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026