Traveling from Barstow to Long Beach covers 129.5 miles of Southern California terrain, typically taking about 2 hours and 30 minutes. Since this trip stays entirely within the Pacific Coast region, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $30 on fuel for the journey. You will primarily navigate via I-15, the Barstow and Mojave Freeway, and the San Bernardino Freeway. This straightforward route serves as an efficient connection between the high desert and the coast, making it a practical choice for travelers who prefer a direct, highway-focused drive over complex detours.
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
64.8 miles from Barstow, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Barstow and Mojave Freeway
51.3 mi
54m
San Bernardino Freeway
19.2 mi
22m
I 15
14.8 mi
16m
San Gabriel River Freeway
14.6 mi
16m
I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
7.3 mi
7m
Long Beach Freeway
5.8 mi
7m
CHP Officer Larry L. Wetterling and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Lieutenant Alfred E. Stewart Memorial Highway
5.6 mi
6m
Artesia Freeway
4.6 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Barstow and Mojave Freeway
— 51.3 mi, about 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Barstow, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on CR 66; US 66 Hist
52 ft·9 sec·East Main Street
2
Turn left onto South Barstow Road
0.8 mi·1 min·South Barstow Road
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·39 sec
4
Merge onto I 15
45 mi·48 min·Barstow and Mojave Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 15; US 66 Hist; US 91 Hist; US 395 Hist
5.6 mi·6 min·CHP Officer Larry L. Wetterling and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Lieutenant Alfred E. Stewart Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 15; US 66 Hist
6.3 mi·6 min·Barstow and Mojave Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit onto I 15
15 mi·16 min·I 15
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 109AToward I 10 West: Los AngelesUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 10
1.5 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
204 ft·5 sec
Use the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 10 EXPR
7.3 mi·7 min·I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
12
Merge onto I 10
1.2 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
0.9 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.3 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.9 mi·2 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.9 mi·2 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.6 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.4 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.5 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.1 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
2.0 mi·2 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.6 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.3 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 31AToward I 605: San Gabriel River FreewayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward I 605 South: San BernardinoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto I 605
15 mi·16 min·San Gabriel River Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
527 ft·12 sec
Exit 7AToward CA 91 East, CA 91 West: Artesia FreewayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward CA 91 West: Artesia Freeway WestUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
29
Merge onto CA 91
4.6 mi·5 min·Artesia Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 710 South, I 710 North: Long Beach, PasadenaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 710 South: Long BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Merge onto I 710
5.8 mi·7 min·Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Continue on I 710
0.5 mi·40 sec·Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, AquariumUse the slight left / straight lanes.
35
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·Shoreline Drive
36
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
0.2 mi·30 sec·South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
37
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·West Ocean Boulevard
38
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
0.1 mi·21 sec·East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
39
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 2 hour and 30 minute drive, plan for at least one strategic stop to break up the 129.5-mile journey. Since the route is highway-dominant, traffic patterns can shift quickly; try to time your departure to avoid peak commuter hours in the urban zones. Keep your $30 fuel budget in mind, as gas prices can fluctuate significantly between the inland areas and the coast. Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace as needed. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before leaving the Barstow area, as highway mileage can add up quickly once you hit the freeway.
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 64.8 miles from Barstow, CA, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.3 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 28 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.8 miles or 1h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 58m
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 Barstow, 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 Barstow, CA
This is one driving day of about 129.5 miles and 2h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Barstow, 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 Barstow and Mojave Freeway for about 51.3 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 32
5 decision points cluster between mile 72.8 and 115.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
72.8 mi into trip|~1h 19m in
Take the exit toward I 10 West: Los Angeles
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 109A
Toward I 10 West: Los Angeles
7
99.8 mi into trip|~1h 50m in
Take the exit toward I 605: San Gabriel River Freeway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 31A
Toward I 605: San Gabriel River Freeway
7
100 mi into trip|~1h 50m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 605 South: San Bernardino
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 605 South: San Bernardino
8
115 mi into trip|~2h 8m in
Take the exit toward CA 91 East, CA 91 West: Artesia Freeway
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 7A
Toward CA 91 East, CA 91 West: Artesia Freeway
7
115.1 mi into trip|~2h 8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CA 91 West: Artesia Freeway West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 91 West: Artesia Freeway West
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.76 one way
$59.53 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg45 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$30.67
$61.34
premium
$6.18
$31.49
$62.99
diesel
$5.61
$28.59
$57.18
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: 45.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38.9
0
$13.60
$6.22
Efficient EV
32.4
0
$11.33
$5.18
EV Truck/SUV
51.8
0
$18.13
$8.29
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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 16, 2026
Origin
Barstow, CA
Late night
in Barstow on Tuesday
Local time
3:44 AM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Long Beach, CA
Late night
in Long Beach on Tuesday
Local time
3:44 AM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
SSW 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 8:38AM PDT until April 16 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Eureka CA
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 8:38AM PDT until April 16 at 9:00AM 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.
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
20 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
2h 30m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is a high-speed, highway-focused drive, with 91% of the journey spent on major interstates. You will face a longest uninterrupted stretch of 51.3 miles while navigating the Barstow and Mojave Freeway. Expect a consistent, fast-paced experience as you transition from the desert landscape toward the dense infrastructure of the coast. The road maintains a predictable, utilitarian character designed for efficiency rather than technical curves or scenic wandering. You should be prepared for heavy interstate traffic as you move through these major California transit corridors.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 51.3 mi on Barstow and Mojave Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Barstow and Mojave Freeway and San Bernardino Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 72.8 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 32 significant decision points across 129.5 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 72.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 99.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 100 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,165 ft33 ft
Total Climb
2,105 ft
Total Descent
4,247 ft
Highest Point
4,165 ft
~46.3 mi in
Elevation Range
4,132 ft
Notable High Points
4,165 ft at ~46.3 miles+977 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 Barstow, CA to Long Beach, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Pasadena along the way.
Barstow is a city of 24,000 people (2018) in the southern desert of the state of California. The city's location at the junction of Interstate 15 and Interstate 40 in the middle of a barren desert, as well as its position on the old Route 66, make it a frequent pit stop for travelers passing through on their way to more exotic destinations.
Top landmarks
•Barstow Harvey House — train station in Barstow, California
•Western America Railroad Museum — railroad museum in Barstow, California
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 2h 30m. Total distance: 129.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 51.3 miles on Barstow and Mojave 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 72.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 99.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 100 miles: 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.
