Century City Mall Dining Terrace
Later in the drive, short detour
Los Angeles, California
Hours: 10 am–9 pm
+13102773898
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 38m
Distance
132.6 mi
213 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arvin, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Long Beach, CA
Wikimedia Commons
This 132.8-mile drive from Arvin, CA, to Long Beach, CA, is estimated to take about 2 hours and 16 minutes, making it a manageable day trip. Traveling within the Pacific Coast region of California, you'll primarily navigate local roads using East Bear Mountain Boulevard and South Union Avenue, eventually merging onto Highway 99 for a portion of the journey. With a projected fuel cost of $31, this route is an economical option for a single-day excursion. The overall feel is a turn-heavy local drive, so plan for frequent adjustments rather than a steady cruise. This trip is best suited for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
66.3 miles from Arvin, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Golden State Freeway | 72.8 mi | 1h 22m |
| I 405 Truck | 23 mi | 26m |
| San Diego Freeway | 18 mi | 20m |
| East Bear Mountain Boulevard | 5 mi | 6m |
| Bear Mountain Boulevard | 4.9 mi | 7m |
| South Union Avenue | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Long Beach Freeway | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Shoreline Drive | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Arvin, CA and Long Beach, CA.
Start on CA 223
Enter roundabout onto CA 223
Continue on CA 223
Turn left onto CA 99 BUS
Take the ramp
Merge onto CA 99
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
Take the exit
Continue on this road
Merge onto I 710
Continue on I 710
Take the exit
Continue on Shoreline Drive
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
Arrive at destination
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 16 minutes for the 132.8-mile trip, you have flexibility in when you depart. Consider leaving Arvin in the late morning to avoid potential morning rush traffic and arrive in Long Beach in the afternoon. Since there are no designated stops mentioned, and the drive is primarily on local roads, plan for your own refueling and rest breaks as needed. The fuel cost is estimated at $31, so ensure your tank is adequately full before setting out. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to the numerous turns indicated by your navigation, as this 'turn-heavy' profile means quick adjustments are key to staying on track.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 29 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.3 miles or 1h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Long Beach, CA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Arvin, 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 Arvin, CA
This is one driving day of about 132.6 miles and 2h 38m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
66 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 66.3 miles from Arvin, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Golden State Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 72.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Los Angeles, California
Later in the drive, short detour
Hours: 10 am–9 pm
+13102773898
Bubu's Restaurant
Long Beach, California
Later in the drive, short detour
Los Angeles, California
Hours: 10 am–9 pm
+13102773898
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Long Beach, California
Hours: 8 am–4 pm
+15625347279
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~11 min detour
Santa Monica, California
Hours: 4:30 pm–12 am
+13102300402
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~12 min detour
Marina Del Rey, California
Hours: 10 am–10 pm
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~10 min detour
Marina Del Rey, California
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+13103399706
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, right off the route
Lebec, California
Hours: Open 24 hours
Around the midpoint, short detour
Valencia, California
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18774943833
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Valencia, California
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18774943833
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Valencia, California
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Valencia, California
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Lebec, California
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Valencia, California
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Valencia, California
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Long Beach, CA
Hours: 9 am–6 pm
+15624324900
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Long Beach, California
Hours: 9 am–6 pm
+15625903100
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Long Beach, California
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
+15624729514
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
Los Angeles, California
Hours: 12–8 pm
+14243455068
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Gardena, California
Hours: 12–10 pm
+13105322478
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Valencia, California
+16612554100
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Signal Hill, California
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+15629897300
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
El Segundo, California
Hours: 8 am–10 pm
+13105242700
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 23.4 and 130.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99 / Golden State Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 405 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Regular Gas
$30.48 one way
$60.95 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $31.41 | $62.81 |
| premium | $6.18 | $32.25 | $64.49 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.28 | $58.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.8 | 0 | $13.92 | $6.36 |
| Efficient EV | 33.2 | 0 | $11.60 | $5.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 53 | 0 | $18.56 | $8.49 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (65% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Arvin on Sunday
Local time
11:04 AM
PDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Sunny
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 10:43AM PDT until April 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 10:32AM PDT until April 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Destination
Morning in Long Beach on Sunday
Local time
11:04 AM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 10:43AM PDT until April 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 10:32AM PDT until April 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Hanford 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.
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' on this route, with a 0% highway share. This means you'll be dealing with numerous intersections and changes in direction rather than extended periods of high-speed travel. The drive progresses through a series of local roads, including East Bear Mountain Boulevard and South Union Avenue, before a segment on Highway 99. While there isn't a defined 'longest stretch' of uninterrupted driving, be prepared for a dynamic experience that requires constant attention to navigation and traffic signals. The character of the road emphasizes local connectivity over long-distance efficiency.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Golden State Freeway and I 405 Truck. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23.4 miles in near CA 99 / Golden State Freeway.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 132.6 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 23.4 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 81.6 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 85.7 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Founded 1888
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 38m. Total distance: 132.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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