This 483.8-mile journey from Clearlake, CA to Long Beach, CA will take you approximately 9 hours and 19 minutes of driving time. Given the duration, it's best planned as a 2-day trip to allow for comfortable stops and enjoyment. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $111. You'll primarily be on major highways, making this a highway-focused drive. This route traverses the Pacific Coast region throughout, so you'll experience consistent California scenery. With two recommended stops and a highway share of 85%, it’s a straightforward, efficient trip.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
241.9 miles from Clearlake, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
224.4 mi
4h
I 5 Truck
58.6 mi
1h 7m
CA 29
32 mi
47m
I 405 Truck
23 mi
26m
Saint Helena Highway South
21.7 mi
25m
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
19.2 mi
22m
San Diego Freeway
18 mi
20m
William Elton Brown Freeway
17 mi
18m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 224.4 mi, about 4h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clearlake, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on Duncan Avenue
0.2 mi·37 sec·Duncan Avenue
2
Continue on Lincoln Avenue
0.1 mi·29 sec·Lincoln Avenue
3
Turn right onto Polk Avenue
331 ft·18 sec·Polk Avenue
4
Turn right onto CA 53
3.6 mi·5 min·CA 53
5
Continue on CA 29
10 mi·15 min·CA 29
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
6
Enter roundabout onto CA 29
48 ft·0 sec·CA 29
7
Continue on CA 29
22 mi·32 min·CA 29
8
Turn left onto CA 29; CA 128
6.8 mi·7 min·Saint Helena Highway
9
Continue on CA 29; CA 128
2.4 mi·2 min·Main Street
10
Continue on CA 29; CA 128
22 mi·25 min·Saint Helena Highway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on CA 12; CA 29
1.3 mi·1 min·Napa–Vallejo Highway
12
Continue on CA 29
4.0 mi·4 min·Broadway Street
13
Continue on CA 29
1.8 mi·2 min·Sonoma Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on CA 29
1.1 mi·1 min·Sonoma Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn left onto Redwood Street
0.3 mi·44 sec·Redwood Street
Use the left / uturn lanes.
16
Turn right onto US 40 Hist
1.1 mi·1 min·Broadway Street
17
Turn slight left onto US 40 Hist
0.7 mi·1 min·Alameda Street
18
Turn left onto Curtola Parkway
7.1 mi·9 min·Curtola Parkway
Use the straight lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 780
0.7 mi·46 sec·I 780
Exit 7BToward I 680 South: Martinez, San Jose
20
Continue on I 680
8.0 mi·9 min·Benicia-Martinez Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
4.8 mi·5 min·Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 680
1.4 mi·1 min·Donald D Doyle Highway
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
13 mi·15 min·Donald D Doyle Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 30AToward I 580 East: Livermore, StocktonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 580 East: Livermore, StocktonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 580: StocktonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Merge onto I 580
1.4 mi·1 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
28
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
18 mi·20 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
11 mi·11 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
30
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
5.9 mi·6 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
31
Merge onto I 5
224 mi·4 hr·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
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.
35
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
23 mi·26 min·I 405 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
18 mi·20 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Take the exit
377 ft·9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long BeachUse the slight right lane.
38
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·39 sec·this road
Exit 32BToward I 710 South: Long Beach
39
Merge onto I 710
2.4 mi·3 min·Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Continue on I 710
0.5 mi·40 sec·Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, AquariumUse the slight left / straight lanes.
42
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·Shoreline Drive
43
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
0.2 mi·30 sec·South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
44
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·West Ocean Boulevard
45
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
0.1 mi·21 sec·East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
46
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 9-hour drive, consider splitting it over two days, especially since you have two recommended stops. Departing early in the morning can help you avoid heavier traffic, particularly as you approach the Los Angeles area. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a major exit opportunity could be significant. With a fuel cost estimated at $111, planning your refueling stops strategically will ensure a smooth journey. A helpful tip for this route is to utilize real-time traffic apps during your second day, as congestion can build up significantly on the I 5 Truck as you get closer to Long Beach.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 241.9 miles from Clearlake, CA, or about 4h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 224.4 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 106 miles or 2h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 241.9 miles or 4h 48m 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 241.9 miles or 4h 48m
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 8h 6m
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 Clearlake, 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 Clearlake, CA
Aim for roughly 242 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Long Beach, CA
Aim for roughly 242 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 106 miles from Clearlake, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 224.4 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 30
5 decision points cluster between mile 84.3 and 436.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
84.3 mi into trip|~1h 54m in|I 780
Keep slight left at fork onto I 780 toward I 680 South: Martinez, San Jose
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 7B
Toward I 680 South: Martinez, San Jose
8
112.6 mi into trip|~2h 26m in
Take the exit toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
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 30A
Toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
8
112.9 mi into trip|~2h 27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
7
113.6 mi into trip|~2h 28m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 580: Stockton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 580: Stockton
8
436.9 mi into trip|~8h 22m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$111.20 one way
$222.40 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg169 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$114.59
$229.18
premium
$6.18
$117.65
$235.31
diesel
$5.61
$106.82
$213.63
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$111
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$241–$351
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 169.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $51 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
145.1
1
$50.80
$23.22
Efficient EV
121
1
$42.33
$19.35
EV Truck/SUV
193.5
2
$67.73
$30.96
Gas CO2
169 kg
EV CO2
57 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 20, 2026
Origin
Clearlake, CA
Late night
in Clearlake on Tuesday
Local time
2:08 AM
PDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Long Beach, CA
Late night
in Long Beach on Tuesday
Local time
2:08 AM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Martinez, CA
242 mi in
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
10 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
9h 19m 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.
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
National Memorial
On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two s...
7 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 83.4
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of American civilians on the WWII home front. Discover how diverse communities lived, worked, and interacted. Many faces, many stories, many truths...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
Free
near mile 83.4
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 450.4
Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park celebrates America’s maritime heritage on the Pacific Coast. Our 50-acre park has grown around Aquatic Park Cove, a protected area...
21 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 100.1
Walk among old growth coast redwoods, cooling their roots in the fresh water of Redwood Creek and lifting their crowns to reach the sun and fog. Federally protected as a National Monument since 1908,...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
$15
near mile 83.4
Experience a park so rich it supports 19 distinct ecosystems with over 2,000 plant and animal species. Go for a hike, enjoy a vista, have a picnic or learn about the centuries of overlapping history f...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
Free
near mile 83.4
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 85% of this route, characterized by efficient travel on major roads like the Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 224.4 miles on the Westside Freeway, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. While primarily highway, the inclusion of CA 29 suggests some variation in the driving experience as you transition between road types. This blend means you'll experience the practicality of high-speed travel with potential for brief moments of different road conditions.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
46 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 224.4 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 84.3 miles in near I 780.
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 30 significant decision points across 483.8 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 84.3 miles (I 780): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Clearlake, CA and Long Beach, CA, road signs point toward San Jose and Stockton.
Clearlake is a city in Lake County inland in the North Coast region of California. It is located at the southern end of Clear Lake, which is more than 1.5 million years old.
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
The longest stretch is about 224.4 miles on Westside Freeway. 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 242 miles on day one.
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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 84.3 miles (I 780): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.3 hours each way, a round trip means 18.6 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.
