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Trip from Arvin, CA to Long Beach, CA

Compiled 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

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
2h 28m ★
6 AM
2h 39m
8 AM
3h 0m
10 AM
2h 46m
12 PM
2h 44m
3 PM
2h 47m
5 PM
2h 59m
8 PM
2h 32m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in Kern County, California, United States

Arvin, CA

Wikimedia Commons

city in Los Angeles County, California, United States

Long Beach, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

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 .

Main Roads

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
Longest stretch: Golden State Freeway — 72.8 mi, about 1h 22m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Arvin, CA and Long Beach, CA.

1

Start on CA 223

4.9 mi · 7 min · Bear Mountain Boulevard
2

Enter roundabout onto CA 223

118 ft · 1 sec · East Bear Mountain Boulevard
3

Continue on CA 223

5.0 mi · 6 min · East Bear Mountain Boulevard
4

Turn left onto CA 99 BUS

2.4 mi · 3 min · South Union Avenue
5

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 35 sec
Toward 99
6

Merge onto CA 99

11 mi · 11 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99

58 mi · 1 hr 6 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

4.1 mi · 4 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck

0.3 mi · 17 sec · I 5 Truck
Exit 158 Toward I 405 South Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck

23 mi · 26 min · I 405 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork onto I 405

18 mi · 20 min · San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

377 ft · 9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long Beach Use the slight right lane.
13

Continue on this road

0.3 mi · 39 sec · this road
Exit 32B Toward I 710 South: Long Beach
14

Merge onto I 710

2.4 mi · 3 min · Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Continue on I 710

0.5 mi · 40 sec · Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, Aquarium Use the slight left / straight lanes.
17

Continue on Shoreline Drive

1.3 mi · 2 min · Shoreline Drive
18

Turn left onto South Chestnut Place

0.2 mi · 30 sec · South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
19

Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Ocean Boulevard
20

Continue on East Ocean Boulevard

0.1 mi · 21 sec · East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
21

Arrive at destination

East Ocean Boulevard

Trip Plan

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 66.3 miles from Arvin, CA, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.8 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 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.

Before You Leave

+

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.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Arvin, 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 72.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Los Angeles County, California, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Santa Clarita, CA

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.

Pacing Suggestions

Lamont, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Santa Clarita, CA

Meal break

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 check

Top 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Century City Mall Dining Terrace

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Los Angeles, California

Later in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 104.2

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+13102773898

Visit website

Bubu's Restaurant

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Long Beach, California

2 mi

Century City Mall Dining Terrace

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 104.2

Los Angeles, California

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+13102773898

Visit website

Bubu's Restaurant

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 132.6

Long Beach, California

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+15625347279

Visit website

Golden Bull Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $50 to $10 mile 104.2

Santa Monica, California

Hours: 4:30 pm–12 am

+13102300402

Visit website

Fisherman's Village

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 104.2

Marina Del Rey, California

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

Visit website

Capri Gelato & Coffee Bar

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour Moderately mile 104.2

Marina Del Rey, California

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+13103399706

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 37.9

Lebec, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

EVgo Charging Station

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 75.8

Valencia, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 75.8

Valencia, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 75.8

Valencia, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 75.8

Valencia, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 37.9

Lebec, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 75.8

Valencia, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 75.8

Valencia, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Harbor Breeze Whale Watching Cruises

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 132.6

Long Beach, CA

Hours: 9 am–6 pm

+15624324900

Visit website

Aquarium of the Pacific

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 132.6

Long Beach, California

Hours: 9 am–6 pm

+15625903100

Visit website

SoCal Whale Watching

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 132.6

Long Beach, California

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+15624729514

Visit website

Los Virtuality - Virtual Reality Gaming Center

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 104.2

Los Angeles, California

Hours: 12–8 pm

+14243455068

Visit website

K1 Speed Torrance

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 123.1

Gardena, California

Hours: 12–10 pm

+13105322478

Visit website

Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 75.8

Valencia, California

+16612554100

Visit website

Signal Hill Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 132.6

Signal Hill, California

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+15629897300

Visit website

El Segundo Parks & Recreation

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 113.6

El Segundo, California

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+13105242700

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

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.

6
23.4 mi into trip | ~29m 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
81.6 mi into trip | ~1h 36m 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
85.7 mi into trip | ~1h 41m 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
86 mi into trip | ~1h 41m 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
130.1 mi into trip | ~2h 33m 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

$30.48 one way

$60.95 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 46 kg CO2
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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Arvin, CA

Morning in Arvin on Sunday

Local time

11:04 AM

PDT

Current temp

72°F

Mostly Sunny

WNW 5 to 10 mph 1% chance Live forecast

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

Long Beach, CA

Morning in Long Beach on Sunday

Local time

11:04 AM

PDT

Current temp

69°F

Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny

SSW 5 to 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

3 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

2h 38m on the road

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.

What kind of drive is this?

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.

88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 72.8 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 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.

Driving Effort 8/10

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.

About the Cities

Arriving in Long Beach, CA

Full guide →

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

  • 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

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 72.8 miles on Golden State Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 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.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Long Beach, CA before heading back.

How this page is built

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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