One-Way Car Rental: San Francisco to Los Angeles

Compare one-way and round-trip car rental rates from San Francisco to Los Angeles, then choose the offer that best fits your trip.

381 mi
613 km
7h 6m
typical drive time
I-5
main route

What's along the way from San Francisco to Los Angeles

Real stops on the I-5 route, roughly in the order you'll reach them.

Harris Ranch, CA ~300 km from San Francisco

The best-known fuel and food stop on the I-5 corridor through the Central Valley, roughly at the halfway point.

Tejon Pass (the Grapevine), CA ~560 km from San Francisco

The mountain pass where I-5 climbs over the Tehachapi range before descending into the Los Angeles basin.

San Francisco to Los Angeles FAQs

It's about 381 miles (613 km) from San Francisco to Los Angeles, mostly via I-5, with a drive time of roughly 7h 6m in normal traffic.
One-way rentals sometimes carry a drop fee that varies by supplier and season. Search above to compare one-way rates from real suppliers before booking a round-trip rental instead.