Cost to drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles
Driving from San Francisco to Los Angeles covers 381 miles (613 km) and takes about 7h 6min without stops. At the latest average price in each state along the way, the gas for the trip costs about $77 in a typical gas car — here's the full breakdown for gas, diesel and electric.
Where the gas money goes
The 12.7 gal a typical gas car burns on this drive, priced where it is burned.
Where to fill up
This route is already close to the lowest-cost option — refuel whenever it suits you.
- 1.Any station in Californiaat 159 mi7.4 gal at $6.03/gal
Assumes a 13-gallon tank that starts half full. Your car will differ — plan it with your own numbers.
Tolls and vignettes: not included — we hold no verified toll tariffs for United States, and we don't guess them.
Gas, diesel or electric — priced for your car
Pick the kind of car you drive and whether you are coming back. Prices are the average across every state on the route.
Driving San Francisco → Los Angeles in a family car, electric costs $73.57 less than diesel — 80% of the bill.
San Francisco vs Los Angeles: which end is cheaper?
Both ends of this route draw on the same regional averages — the comparison below shows what that means at the pump.
What if fuel prices move?
Booking this drive for later in the year? Pump prices swing with crude, season and tax changes — here is the same 381 miles in a typical petrol car at four price levels.
Your car's mpg, tank and fuel level — plus tolls, route options and the cheapest stops.
How this cost is calculated
We take the real driving route between San Francisco and Los Angeles (381 miles) from OpenStreetMap routing, work out how far it runs in each state, and price the fuel a typical car burns in each one at that place's latest published average. The gas figure assumes 30 MPG · 7.8 L/100km; diesel and EV use 35 MPG · 6.7 L/100km and 3.5 mi/kWh. Your real cost depends on your car, traffic, driving style and the stations you pick — use the trip planner for your exact numbers, or check prices on the California fuel prices page.
Related routes
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles?
The drive is 381 miles (613 km) and takes about 7h 6min without stops. Gas costs roughly $76.59 in an average gas car, $92.08 in a diesel, and $18.50 in an electric car, using the latest average price in each state along the way.
How far is it from San Francisco to Los Angeles in miles and km?
About 381 miles or 613 kilometres by road — roughly 7h 6min of driving.
Is it cheaper to fill up in San Francisco or Los Angeles?
Both ends use the same regional prices on this route.
How many times will I need to fill up between San Francisco and Los Angeles?
None on the way. The drive needs about 12.7 gal of petrol and a typical 15 gal tank covers roughly 450 miles, so one full tank at the start does the whole trip.
Is it cheaper to drive or fly from San Francisco to Los Angeles?
On fuel alone the drive costs about $77 one way, and that cost splits across everyone in the car — with $19 each for four people, which is where driving usually wins. Against that, the drive takes 7h 6min without stops, and a fair comparison also counts tolls, parking, wear and any overnight stay.
What will this trip cost if fuel prices change?
At today's prices the gas is about $77. A 10% rise takes it to $84, a 25% rise to $96, and a 10% fall to $69. Prices here refresh as each source publishes, so this page always reflects the latest figures.
How do I get the exact cost for my car?
Set the vehicle type on this page for an instant estimate, or open the FuelWide trip planner with your car's fuel economy, tank size and how full it is — it prices the drive state by state and suggests where refuelling is cheaper (state averages in the US, individual forecourt prices where a country publishes them).
Driving distance via OSRM / OpenStreetMap. Fuel prices are the latest published averages for each state on the route (sources named on each price page); efficiency and electricity rates are typical estimates, and tolls are not included unless listed above. Your figure will vary — use the planner for an exact result.