How far is Waterford, CA from Los Angeles, CA?
The driving distance from Waterford, CA to Los Angeles, CA is about 312.4 miles (502.8 km), with a travel time of about 05h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 285.2 miles (459 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 38m 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 19m.
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 Tulare County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waterford and Los Angeles.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waterford and Los Angeles.
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1
Start on E Street
14 m · 4 sec · E Street
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2
Turn right onto Bentley Street
116 m · 19 sec · Bentley Street
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3
Turn left onto F Street
1017 ft · 21 sec · F Street
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4
Continue on Hickman Road
10.1 mi · 18 min · Hickman Road
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5
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Avenue
1254 ft · 29 sec · East Avenue
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6
Turn sharp left onto Santa Fe Avenue
1701 ft · 29 sec · Santa Fe Avenue
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7
Continue on Santa Fe Drive
12.1 mi · 18 min · Santa Fe Drive
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8
Turn right onto Shaffer Road
2.3 mi · 4 min · Shaffer Road
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9
Turn left onto Atwater Boulevard
1 km · 1 min · Atwater Boulevard
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10
Take the ramp straight
907 ft · 22 sec
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11
Merge slight left
61.5 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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12
Keep slight left
41 mi · 44 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Highway
58.6 mi · 1 hr 3 min · Golden State Highway
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14
Continue on Golden State Freeway
5.2 mi · 6 min · Golden State Freeway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
27.4 mi · 30 min · Golden State Freeway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
58.2 mi · 1 hr 7 min · Golden State Freeway
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17
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Golden State Freeway
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18
Keep slight right to continue on I 405 South
1354 ft · 18 sec
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19
Keep slight left
5.3 mi · 6 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
2508 ft · 33 sec
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21
Continue on Hollywood Freeway
16.2 mi · 21 min · Hollywood Freeway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway
636 ft · 17 sec
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23
Continue on West Aliso Street
125 m · 18 sec · West Aliso Street
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24
Turn right onto North Spring Street
1455 ft · 36 sec · North Spring Street
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25
Turn left onto West 1st Street
108 m · 12 sec · West 1st Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waterford and Los Angeles.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Atwater Boulevard
Merge slight left
61.5 mi · 01h 10m
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 Waterford and 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 Waterford to Los Angeles?
The road trip is about 312.4 miles (502.8 km) and usually takes 05h 19m 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?
Earlimart is a useful midpoint, sitting about 152.5 miles from Waterford and 159.9 miles from Los Angeles.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 285.2 miles (459 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.2 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 6:22 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $63.57 one way or $127.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 97.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Waterford and Mostly Sunny near Los Angeles.
Stop Ideas Near Earlimart
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 Earlimart.
Wasco station
Corcoran station
Visalia, California
Goshen Junction, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waterford and Los Angeles. Straight-line distance: 285.21 mi (459 km).
#1 Waterford
City in Stanislaus County, California, United States
| Population | 8,944 |
| Coordinates | 37.6413200, -120.7604800 |
| Altitude | 52 |
| 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: 503 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $63.57 | $127.15 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $66.85 | $133.69 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $68.80 | $137.60 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $83.39 | $166.78 |
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 · Apr 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.