LA to Hearst Castle

Pacific Coast Highway travel offers advice on driving from LA to Hearst Castle, including distance, journey time, and route.

Here's all the advice you'll need if planning to drive from LA to Hearst Castle, whether you go by the coastal route or use I-5. Here's the info on driving times, distances, and route options, with two interactive maps you can use.

Our Pick of the LA Guides

LA to Hearst Castle: Distance

From downtown Los Angeles to Hearst Castle is a distance of between 235-260 miles (376-416 kms), depending on the exact route you take (see below).

You don’t absolutely have to take one of the coastal route options, though they are more scenic for parts of the route. You could consider taking I-5 and then cutting back across to the coast somewhere, which is only about 250 miles (400 kms) and also has a really scenic stretch at the end through Paso Robles wine country.

You would need to do this if the coastal route was blocked somewhere, but the closures of the Pacific Coast Highway which make the headlines usually happen north of Hearst Castle on the Big Sur stretch.

Big Sur

LA to Hearst Castle: Driving Time

Taking the I-5 route from LA to Hearst Castle should take 4-5 hours, depending on how fast you drive and the state of the traffic. It ought to be faster for the first stretch along I-5, but you would then slow down as you have to cut across to the coast on slower roads.

Taking the coastal option and heading north through Santa Monica and Malibu will probably take 5-6 hours, again depending on the traffic and your own average driving speed. Although it’s a similar distance to the I-5 route, it’s a lot slower as the road twists and turns, and is single-lane in many places. It also attracts slower-moving vehicles, which can be difficult to overtake.

LA to Hearst Castle: Routes

The Coastal Routes

Take I-10 to its end in Santa Monica and merge onto Highway 1 there. It begins near Santa Monica Pier, then stays near the coast through Malibu and is a pleasant start to the drive, quickly leaving LA behind.

Stay on Highway 1 along the coast until you reach Oxnard, where Highway 1 goes inland through the city and merges with Highway 101. You continue north on 1/101 through Ventura, which is the only tricky part of the drive. We often manage to get lost in Oxnard or Ventura, as the routes aren’t well-signed. You’ll need to rely on your satnav or human equivalent.

Santa Barbara

Beyond Ventura the road rejoins the coast and passes by Santa Barbara. If you want to see Santa Barbara you’ll have to exit and head for the ocean, then rejoin 1/101 again.

West of Santa Barbara the roads divide, with 1 staying nearer the coast through Lompoc and 101 going further inland through Buelton, where you could make a short detour to see Solvang. It doesn’t make much difference which way you go in terms of time or distance. We quite like the slightly more rural route through Lompoc and Guadalupe, though it’s another stretch of the drive where a satnav is useful.

Our Pick of the California Guides

Near Pismo Beach the roads rejoin, swing inland for a while, get back near the ocean at Morro Bay and then it’s a straight drive north to Cambria and San Simeon, where Hearst Castle is. We usually stay in Cambria when visiting Hearst Castle, which we’ve done several times as there’s always something different to see on the different tours there. Check our Cambria page where we tell you about the different places we’ve stayed in there.

Hearst Castle

Taking I-5

The I-5 Interstate runs right through Los Angeles so pick it up wherever you can. You stay on I-5 for about 125 miles and take the exit for Lost Hills/Paso Robles onto CA-46 West. You then stay on 46 through Paso Robles and all the way to join the Pacific Coast Highway on the coast just south of Cambria. This last section of the drive is really beautiful, through the rolling green hills and farmland of Paso Robles wine country.

When you reach Highway 1 on the coast, turn right (north) and the entrance to Hearst Castle is about 12 miles north of here, on the highway.

Where to Stay near Hearst Castle

Other driving pages

Soul of Los Angeles
Soul of Los Angeles from French publishers Jonglez is a travel guide to 30 Exceptional Experiences in California's largest city.
The 17-Mile Drive between Carmel, Pacific Grove, and Monterey
Pacific Coast Highway Travel takes the 17-Mile Drive from Carmel to Pacific Grove and Monterey, stopping to see the Lone Cypress and beautiful coastline views.
Ten Best Things to See at the Getty Museum
Pacific Coast Highway Travel picks the ten best things to see at the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, split between The Getty Center and Getty Villa.
Route 66 Meets the Pacific Coast Highway
Historic Route 66 winds from Chicago to LA, going through Los Angeles, meeting the Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica, California, at the Santa Monica Pier.
San Francisco to San Diego
Driving from San Francisco to San Diego has two main options, the fast way on I-5 or the scenic route along the Pacific Coast Highway.
Must-See Hollywood
Pacific Coast Highway Travel reviews 111 Places in Hollywood That You Must Not Miss, a guide that includes iconic attractions and hidden secrets too.
Best Museums in Los Angeles
Pacific Coast Highway Travel picks the best museums in Los Angeles including the top art museums and museums for families.
Pacific Coast Highway Drive Times and Distances
Drive times and distances on the Pacific Coast Highway or the quickest routes from Seattle to San Francisco to Los Angeles to San Diego.
Hearst Castle Evening Tours
Hearst Castle Evening Tours are a magical way of visiting one of the best things to do along the Pacific Coast Highway.
Ten Best Views in Los Angeles
Pacific Coast Highway Travel picks ten of the best views in Los Angeles, including Malibu, Santa Monica, the Griffith Observatory and the Getty Center.
California Driving Laws
If visiting California and planning to drive the Pacific Coast Highway it's important to know California driving laws in case they differ from your own state.
Best Spa Hotels in Los Angeles
Pacific Coast Highway Travel recommends the best spa hotels in Los Angeles including the Beverly Hills Hotel, the Hotel Bel-Air, Four Seasons, and Ritz-Carlton.
Visiting Hearst Castle
This Visiting Hearst Castle page gives all the practicalities including location, types of tour, length of tours, how long to allow, and much more information.
Pacific Coast Highway Road Trips: Lonely Planet Guidebook Review
Review of the Pacific Coast Highway Road Trips book from Lonely Planet, which includes a California Driving Guide, by the Pacific Coast Highway Travel website.
Pacific Coast Highway in California
The Pacific Coast Highway in California book shows in historic photos the building of the Pacific Coast Highway from its earliest beginnings in 1911.
Best Time to Visit Los Angeles
Pacific Coast Highway travel suggests the best time to visit Los Angeles with information about the weather and climate month by month and season by season.
Los Angeles
Pacific Coast Highway Travel’s travel guide to Los Angeles, including dining and accommodation options, public transport, and the city’s best things to do.
Hearst Castle Tours
Hearst Castle tours show you round the former home of William Randolph Hearst in San Simeon, one of the best things to do along the Pacific Coast Highway.
Most Romantic Hotels in Los Angeles
Pacific Coast Highway Travel picks the most romantic hotels in Los Angeles, including beach-front beauties as well as those in the heart of the city.
New Hotels in Los Angeles
Pacific Coast Highway Travel lists the new hotels in Los Angeles, and those refurbished and renovated, and all open for business in 2025.
Driving the Pacific Coast Highway in Four Days
Pacific Coast Highway Travel's advice on driving the Pacific Coast Highway in four days, including the best places to stay, and the best things to do and see.
Los Angeles Airport Hotels
Los Angeles Airport hotels include Hilton, Radisson, Marriott, Embassy Suites, Crowne Plaza and other top names, all of them within a mile or so of LAX.
California Coast Charging Stations
California coast charging stations are so numerous that the Pacific Coast Highway is one of the best US road trips to drive in an electric vehicle or EV.
Driving the Pacific Coast Highway in Five Days
Pacific Coast Highway Travel's advice on driving the Pacific Coast Highway in five days, including the best places to stay over, and the best things to do and see.
New Dining in Los Angeles
Pacific Coast Highway Travel recommends the best new dining experiences in Los Angeles, Hollywood, Bel-Air, Venice and elsewhere.