Driving along the California Pacific Coast Highway is perhaps one of the greatest road trips in the world. Over the past five years, I was very lucky to have the opportunity to visit many of the towns and city's along the Golden Coast. Los Angeles and San Francisco two of California’s most popular vacation destinations, are about 400 miles apart, but don’t let the distance dissuade you from driving. Planning a California Pacific Coast Highway road trip? You can follow the US Hwy 101 for 420 miles which often offers beautiful coastal views or take the Interstate 5, which is typically faster but not very scenic. The driving time is approx. In addition to traveling through the spectacular Big Sur region, you'll visit Santa Cruz, Monterey, Carmel, Pebble Beach, Cambria, Solvang and Santa Barbara, and enjoy views of jagged coastlines, mountains, forests and rolling hills studded with vineyards. Ultimate Summer Road Trip: San Francisco to Los Angeles The 450-mile stretch of Pacific Coast Highway between San Francisco and Los Angeles is one of America's most iconic road trips. The journey takes about six hours and is relatively free of traffic—apart from the very beginning and the very end of the trip around the big cities. To find the driving direction from San Francisco to Los Angeles via Route 1 which is 1104 by road, click on Show Directions after entering start and end locations in the calculator control. The quickest and most popular route will be to take the Interstate 5 Freeway which would be the most boring and less hurdle route. Take an epic journey down the stunning California coast on this 3-day one-way trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles. So in this case, it's better to drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles. . And for good reasons: vast beaches, towering mountains and uninterrupted views of the Pacific guide you down the California coast. Distance: 337.91 mi (543.82 km) The shortest distance (air line) between Sfo and Lax is 337.91 mi (543.82 km).. Driving route: -- (- ) The shortest route between Sfo and Lax is according to the route planner. There are two main options for the drive between San Francisco and Los Angeles. See also a map, estimated flight duration, carbon dioxide emissions and the time difference between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Distance from San Francisco to Los Angeles (San Francisco International Airport – Los Angeles International Airport) is 337 miles / 543 kilometers / 293 nautical miles. Prices and availability are subject to change. The fastest route from Los Angeles to San Francisco is driving north on I-5, which cuts through the agricultural Central Valley. It's really only slightly better to drivein this case, so you could choose either option based on your specific needs. These results are based on the actual driving distance from San Francisco to Los Angeles, which is … Driving Directions from San Francisco to Los Angeles. 10 Best Stops LA to SF Coastal Road Trip There are several routes to take when driving between Los Angeles and San Francisco depending on how much travel time you have or want to endure. As first stops go on a drive north from Los Angeles to San Francisco, Santa Barbara is pretty agreeable. Cheap Flights from Los Angeles to San Francisco Prices were available within the past 7 days and starts at $49 for one-way flights and $91 for round trip, for the period specified.