Alturas, CA to Long Beach, CA is 663.2 miles and takes about 13h 16m via Route 395 (US 395), with a fuel budget near $150 and an overnight stay recommended. This route traverses California from its northern reaches to the southern coast, offering a long-haul experience. While mostly highway driving, it provides a direct path south through diverse landscapes. Consider this an efficient way to cover a significant distance within the state, ideal for those prioritizing a straightforward journey. The recommended two days allow for a more relaxed pace than attempting it all in one go.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
331.6 miles from Alturas, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 6h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Route 395
144.5 mi
2h 45m
US 395
109.1 mi
2h 21m
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
104.6 mi
2h 2m
Martin Luther King Junior Memorial Highway
50.9 mi
57m
Antelope Valley Freeway
49.1 mi
54m
Main Street
43.8 mi
53m
Aerospace Highway
42.1 mi
47m
I 405 Truck
23 mi
26m
Longest stretch:
Route 395
— 144.5 mi, about 2h 45m
Traffic on I-405
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 84 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~7,798 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~723 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 43 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 Alturas, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on North Howard Street
74 ft·5 sec·North Howard Street
2
Turn right onto West 4th Street
277 ft·9 sec·West 4th Street
3
Turn right onto US 395
0.6 mi·1 min·North Main Street
4
Continue on US 395
89 mi·1 hr 41 min·Route 395
5
Turn left onto CR A3
8.5 mi·12 min·Standish Buntingville Road
6
At end of road, turn left onto US 395
55 mi·1 hr 3 min·Route 395
7
Continue on US 395
51 mi·57 min·Martin Luther King Junior Memorial Highway
8
Turn left onto US 395
11 mi·14 min·South Carson Street
Use the left lane.
9
Take the exit
488 ft·13 sec
10
Turn straight onto NV 88
0.3 mi·42 sec·Woodfords Road
11
Enter roundabout onto County Road
144 ft·2 sec·County Road
12
Continue on County Road
1.1 mi·2 min·County Road
13
At end of road, turn right onto US 395
66 mi·1 hr 30 min·US 395
Use the left lane.
14
Turn left onto Emigrant Street
0.5 mi·42 sec·Emigrant Street
15
At end of road, turn right onto Sinclair Street
0.1 mi·13 sec·Sinclair Street
16
Turn left onto US 395
44 mi·53 min·Main Street
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 395
44 mi·50 min·US 395
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn right onto North Barlow Lane
1.0 mi·1 min·North Barlow Lane
19
Turn left onto CA 168
1.5 mi·2 min·West Line Street
20
Turn right onto US 395; CA 168; US 6 Hist
2.4 mi·3 min·South Main Street
21
Continue on US 395; CA 168; US 6 Hist
5.0 mi·5 min·El Camino Sierra
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on US 395; CA 168; US 6 Hist
7.4 mi·8 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
0.2 mi·32 sec·North Main Street
24
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
26 mi·31 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
0.7 mi·1 min·North Edwards Street
26
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
15 mi·17 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
27
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
2.2 mi·4 min·North Main Street
28
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
56 mi·1 hr 4 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
29
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
7.0 mi·8 min·Blue Star Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
30
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 14; US 6 Hist
6.4 mi·7 min·Aerospace Highway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on CA 14; CA 178; US 6 Hist
22 mi·25 min·Midland Trail
32
Continue on CA 14; US 6 Hist
20 mi·23 min·Aerospace Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
At end of road, turn left onto CA 14; CA 58 BUS; US 6 Hist
4.7 mi·6 min·Sierra Highway
Use the left lane.
34
Continue on CA 14
16 mi·16 min·Aerospace Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Continue on CA 14; CA 138
48 mi·53 min·Antelope Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 14
1.0 mi·1 min·Antelope Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·36 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Merge onto I 5
2.6 mi·3 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
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.
40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
23 mi·26 min·I 405 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
18 mi·20 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Take the exit
377 ft·9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long BeachUse the slight right lane.
43
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·39 sec·this road
Exit 32BToward I 710 South: Long Beach
44
Merge onto I 710
2.4 mi·3 min·Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
45
Continue on I 710
0.5 mi·40 sec·Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, AquariumUse the slight left / straight lanes.
47
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·Shoreline Drive
48
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
0.2 mi·30 sec·South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
49
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·West Ocean Boulevard
50
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
0.1 mi·21 sec·East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
51
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the 13h 16m duration, planning for two days is wise to avoid fatigue. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight driving, especially on the first day. With three recommended stops, you can break up the 663.2 miles into manageable segments. Keep an eye on fuel availability, as some stretches of US 395 can be more remote. The fuel cost estimate of $150 should help you budget for gas along the way. Consider splitting the drive roughly in half, with an overnight stay around the halfway point to ensure you arrive refreshed.
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 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 331.6 miles from Alturas, CA, or about 6h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 144.5 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 146 miles or 2h 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 331.6 miles or 6h 44m 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 331.6 miles or 6h 44m
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 12h 4m
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 Alturas, 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 Alturas, CA
Aim for roughly 332 miles and 6.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Long Beach, CA
Aim for roughly 332 miles and 6.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 146 miles from Alturas, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Route 395 for about 144.5 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 217 and 660.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
217 mi into trip|~4h 14m in|US 395
At end of road, turn right onto US 395
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
283.1 mi into trip|~5h 45m in|US 395 / Main Street
Turn left onto US 395 / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
495.2 mi into trip|~10h 1m in|CA 14; US 6 Hist / Aerospace Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 14; US 6 Hist / Aerospace Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
616.3 mi into trip|~12h 19m 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
7
660.7 mi into trip|~13h 11m 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
$138.75 one way
$277.50 round trip
$5.31/gal25.4 MPG avg232 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$144.10
$288.20
premium
$5.67
$147.91
$295.83
diesel
$4.80
$125.22
$250.45
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$139
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$269–$379
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 232 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $70 in charging
· 2 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
199
2
$69.64
$31.83
Efficient EV
165.8
1
$58.03
$26.53
EV Truck/SUV
265.3
3
$92.85
$42.44
Gas CO2
232 kg
EV CO2
78 kg (66% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 16, 2026
Origin
Alturas, CA
Evening
in Alturas on Saturday
Local time
6:26 PM
PDT
Current temp
92°F
Sunny
WSW 9 to 16 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 16 at 12:00PM PDT until July 16 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 16 at 11:39AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Destination
Long Beach, CA
Evening
in Long Beach on Saturday
Local time
6:26 PM
PDT
Current temp
85°F
Mostly Sunny
S 5 to 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 16 at 12:00PM PDT until July 16 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 16 at 11:39AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
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
7 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
13h 16m 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.
Devils Postpile National Monument
National Monument
Established in 1911 by presidential proclamation, Devils Postpile National Monument protects and preserves the Devils Postpile formation, the 101-foot high Rainbow Falls, and pristine mountain scenery...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 320.1
Park Closure: Reds Meadow Road Access Restrictions in 2026
Park Closure: Devils Postpile National Monument facilities are closed for the season
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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 617.4
Not just a great valley, but a shrine to human foresight, the strength of granite, the power of glaciers, the persistence of life, and the tranquility of the High Sierra. First protected in 1864, Yose...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
$35
near mile 297.3
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
~70 min detour
Free
near mile 548.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is a long-haul drive with 53% on highways, primarily US 395, also known as the Grand Army of the Republic Highway. You'll encounter your longest stretch without a major turn at 144.5 miles along Route 395. Expect a significant portion of this drive to be on well-maintained highways, transitioning to surface roads as you approach your destination. The nature of the highway share suggests a mix of open cruising and potentially more developed areas with varied exit densities as you progress south.
53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
51 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 144.5 mi on Route 395.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
At 13h 16m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 217 miles in near US 395.
Driving Effort9/10
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 663.2 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 217 miles (US 395): Lane positioning matters here; at 283.1 miles (US 395 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 495.2 miles (CA 14; US 6 Hist / Aerospace Highway): 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
Long-haul drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 144.5 miles on Route 395. 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 332 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 8 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 3 meaningful breaks. There are 8 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 217 miles (US 395): Lane positioning matters here; at 283.1 miles (US 395 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 495.2 miles (CA 14; US 6 Hist / Aerospace Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Devils Postpile National Monument, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and Yosemite National Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 13.3 hours each way, a round trip means 26.5 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.
