This 192-mile drive from Alta Sierra, CA to Long Beach, CA is designed for a single day, taking approximately 4 hours. You'll primarily be on the Golden State Freeway and I 405 Truck, with 89% of the journey on highways, making it a focused driving experience. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $44. Given the relatively short duration, this route is perfectly suited for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. Both your origin and destination are within the Pacific Coast region, so you'll be traversing familiar territory throughout.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
96 miles from Alta Sierra, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Golden State Freeway
88 mi
1h 39m
Route 178
31.9 mi
46m
I 405 Truck
23 mi
26m
San Diego Freeway
18 mi
20m
CHP Officer David W. Manning Memorial Freeway
7.3 mi
8m
Evans Road
7.3 mi
10m
Wofford Heights Boulevard
6.5 mi
9m
Long Beach Freeway
2.4 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Golden State Freeway
— 88 mi, about 1h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alta Sierra, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on Old State Road
486 ft·21 sec·Old State Road
2
Continue on Old State Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Old State Road
3
Turn right onto CA 155
7.3 mi·10 min·Evans Road
4
Turn sharp right onto CA 155
6.5 mi·9 min·Wofford Heights Boulevard
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
6
Merge onto CA 178
1.4 mi·1 min·Isabella Walker Pass Road
7
Continue on CA 178
32 mi·46 min·Route 178
8
Continue on CA 178
7.3 mi·8 min·CHP Officer David W. Manning Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on CA 178
1.4 mi·2 min·24th Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
10
Continue on Rosedale Highway
0.3 mi·30 sec·Rosedale Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward CA 99 South, CA 58 East
12
Merge onto CA 99
26 mi·28 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
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.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
23 mi·26 min·I 405 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
18 mi·20 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
377 ft·9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long BeachUse the slight right lane.
19
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·39 sec·this road
Exit 32BToward I 710 South: Long Beach
20
Merge onto I 710
2.4 mi·3 min·Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 710
0.5 mi·40 sec·Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, AquariumUse the slight left / straight lanes.
23
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·Shoreline Drive
24
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
0.2 mi·30 sec·South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
25
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·West Ocean Boulevard
26
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
0.1 mi·21 sec·East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
27
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour drive, departing early in the morning, perhaps before 8 AM, can help you avoid potential rush hour congestion, especially as you get closer to Long Beach. With a single recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. The longest stretch without a planned stop is 88 miles, so plan your fuel and restroom breaks accordingly. Consider checking traffic conditions on the Golden State Freeway and I 405 Truck before you depart, as these are major arteries. The $44 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to have a little extra buffer.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 96 miles from Alta Sierra, CA, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 42 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96 miles or 2h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 16m
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 Alta Sierra, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Alta Sierra, CA
This is one driving day of about 192 miles and 3h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Alta Sierra, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Golden State Freeway for about 88 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 82.8 and 189.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
82.8 mi into trip|~1h 50m in|CA 99 / Golden State Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99 / Golden State Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
141.1 mi into trip|~2h 57m in|I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
145.1 mi into trip|~3h 2m 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
6
145.4 mi into trip|~3h 2m in|I 405 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
189.6 mi into trip|~3h 54m in
Take the exit toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, Aquarium
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center,...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.13 one way
$88.26 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg67 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$45.48
$90.95
premium
$6.18
$46.69
$93.38
diesel
$5.61
$42.39
$84.78
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
57.6
0
$20.16
$9.22
Efficient EV
48
0
$16.80
$7.68
EV Truck/SUV
76.8
0
$26.88
$12.29
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 Apr 19, 2026
Origin
Alta Sierra, CA
Late night
in Alta Sierra on Sunday
Local time
12:58 AM
PDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Long Beach, CA
Late night
in Long Beach on Sunday
Local time
12:58 AM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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.
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
6 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
3h 59m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 158.9
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...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 33.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 192-mile trip. With 89% of the route on major freeways like the Golden State Freeway and I 405 Truck, the pace is generally quick. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 88 miles on the Golden State Freeway. While predominantly highway, this type of drive often involves navigating through urban and suburban environments, so be prepared for varying traffic conditions as you approach your destination. The road character is consistent, prioritizing efficient travel over winding scenic detours.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 88 mi on Golden State Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Golden State Freeway and Route 178. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 82.8 miles in near CA 99 / Golden State Freeway.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 192 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 82.8 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 141.1 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 145.1 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 59m. Total distance: 192 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 88 miles on Golden State Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 82.8 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 141.1 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 145.1 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and César E. Chávez National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Long Beach, CA, but most travelers stay overnight.
