Allendale, CA to Long Beach, CA is 433.1 miles and takes about 8h 6m via Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, and I 405 Truck, with a fuel budget near $100 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within the Pacific Coast region, offering a highway-focused experience. With a recommended two days for this trip, you'll encounter a substantial portion on major freeways. Consider this route if you're looking for a direct and efficient journey between these two California points.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
216.5 miles from Allendale, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
224.4 mi
4h
I 5 Truck
58.6 mi
1h 7m
I 405 Truck
23 mi
26m
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
19.2 mi
22m
San Diego Freeway
18 mi
20m
William Elton Brown Freeway
17 mi
18m
Donald D Doyle Highway
14.8 mi
17m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
14.7 mi
17m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 224.4 mi, about 4h
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 178 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~2,112 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,896
Quietest
2 AM
~397 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 89 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Allendale, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on Hartley Road
0.6 mi·2 min·Hartley Road
2
At end of road, turn right onto Allendale Road
219 ft·8 sec·Allendale Road
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
4
Merge onto I 505
5.2 mi·5 min·I 505
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 1AToward I 80 West: San FranciscoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 80
15 mi·17 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 40Toward I 680: Benicia, San JoseUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 680
12 mi·14 min·Luther E Gibson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 680
8.0 mi·9 min·Benicia-Martinez Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
4.8 mi·5 min·Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 680
1.4 mi·1 min·Donald D Doyle Highway
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
13 mi·15 min·Donald D Doyle Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 30AToward I 580 East: Livermore, StocktonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 580 East: Livermore, StocktonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 580: StocktonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 580
1.4 mi·1 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
18 mi·20 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
11 mi·11 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
5.9 mi·6 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
20
Merge onto I 5
224 mi·4 hr·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
0.3 mi·17 sec·I 5 Truck
Exit 158Toward I 405 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
23 mi·26 min·I 405 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
18 mi·20 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
377 ft·9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long BeachUse the slight right lane.
27
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·39 sec·this road
Exit 32BToward I 710 South: Long Beach
28
Merge onto I 710
2.4 mi·3 min·Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on I 710
0.5 mi·40 sec·Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, AquariumUse the slight left / straight lanes.
31
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·Shoreline Drive
32
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
0.2 mi·30 sec·South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
33
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·West Ocean Boulevard
34
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
0.1 mi·21 sec·East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
35
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the 8h 6m duration, splitting this trip over two days is recommended. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize your daylight hours, especially if you plan to make stops. With only 2 recommended stops, plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or before the longest stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the longest stretch is over 200 miles; ensure you're fueled up before embarking on that segment.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 216.5 miles from Allendale, CA, or about 4h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 224.4 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 95 miles or 1h 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 216.5 miles or 4h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 216.5 miles or 4h 2m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Long Beach, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Allendale, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Allendale, CA
Aim for roughly 217 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Long Beach, CA
Aim for roughly 217 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 95 miles from Allendale, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 224.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 28
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.1 and 386.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
6.1 mi into trip|~8m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 West: San Francisco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward I 80 West: San Francisco
8
21.3 mi into trip|~26m in
Take the exit toward I 680: Benicia, San Jose
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 40
Toward I 680: Benicia, San Jose
8
61.9 mi into trip|~1h 13m in
Take the exit toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 30A
Toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
8
62.2 mi into trip|~1h 14m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
8
386.2 mi into trip|~7h 9m in|I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 405 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 158
Toward I 405 South
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$98.68 one way
$197.35 round trip
$5.79/gal25.4 MPG avg152 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.96
$101.61
$203.22
premium
$6.14
$104.69
$209.39
diesel
$5.97
$101.74
$203.49
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$99
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$229–$339
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 151.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-09-07.
Driving Electric?
About $45 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
129.9
1
$45.48
$20.79
Efficient EV
108.3
1
$37.90
$17.32
EV Truck/SUV
173.2
2
$60.63
$27.72
Gas CO2
152 kg
EV CO2
51 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Sep 4, 2026
Origin
Allendale, CA
Evening
in Allendale on Saturday
Local time
5:27 PM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Mostly Clear
SW 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Lake Wind Advisory
Lake Wind Advisory issued September 4 at 2:02AM PDT until September 4 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Reno NV
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued September 3 at 11:26PM PDT until September 7 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Eureka CA
Destination
Long Beach, CA
Evening
in Long Beach on Saturday
Local time
5:27 PM
PDT
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Cloudy then Patchy Fog
SE 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Lake Wind Advisory
Lake Wind Advisory issued September 4 at 2:02AM PDT until September 4 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Reno NV
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued September 3 at 11:26PM PDT until September 7 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Eureka CA
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
10 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
8h 6m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
National Memorial
On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two s...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 29.4
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of American civilians on the WWII home front. Discover how diverse communities lived, worked, and interacted. Many faces, many stories, many truths...
16 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 44.1
The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultura...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
Free
near mile 397.2
Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park celebrates America’s maritime heritage on the Pacific Coast. Our 50-acre park has grown around Aquatic Park Cove, a protected area...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 44.1
Yes, we can! Widely recognized as the most important Latino leader in the United States during the twentieth century, Cesar Chavez led farm workers and supporters in the establishment of the country's...
28 mi from route
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 323.7
Walk among old growth coast redwoods, cooling their roots in the fresh water of Redwood Creek and lifting their crowns to reach the sun and fog. Federally protected as a National Monument since 1908,...
28 mi from route
~71 min detour
$15
near mile 44.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 89% of the journey taking place on major roads like the Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, and I 405 Truck. You'll experience a significant uninterrupted stretch of 224.4 miles on the Westside Freeway, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. The character of the road remains largely consistent, emphasizing speed and directness over scenic detours.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 224.4 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.1 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 28 significant decision points across 433.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 6.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 21.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,996 ft33 ft
Total Climb
4,376 ft
Total Descent
4,464 ft
Highest Point
3,996 ft
~340.3 mi in
Elevation Range
3,964 ft
Notable High Points
3,996 ft at ~340.3 miles+2,920 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Allendale, CA to Long Beach, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Stockton along the way.
Not to be confused with Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
Grand Rapids is in West Michigan, in the United States. Grand Rapids is the second largest city in Michigan with a population of just under 200,000 in the city limits (2018), and nearly 570,000 in the surrounding county (2010). The federal West Michigan metropolitan area, which includes Grand Rapids, Muskegon, and Holland (and some intervening farmland), has 1.4 million people (2010).
Long Beach is a large port city in Los Angeles County in Southern California. Long Beach has some nice people-gathering amenities and genuine tourist attractions, such as a world-class aquarium and the Queen Mary floating museum/hotel. Special events are also held in the city like the annual Long Beach Grand Prix (a premier racing event held on city streets) and the annual Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride event. When compared to other areas like Hollywood, West Hollywood, Santa Monica and West L.A., Long Beach may not always be at the top of someone's tourist visit to the Los Angeles area, but the city draws its fair share of visitors and has proven it can definitely hold its own.
Top landmarks
•RMS Queen Mary — retired British ocean liner
•Terminal Island — island in Los Angeles County, California, United States
•Aquarium of the Pacific — public aquarium in Long Beach, California
The longest stretch is about 224.4 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 217 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 35 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Long Beach, CA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. There are 35 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 21.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.1 hours each way, a round trip means 16.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Long Beach, CA before the return drive.
