Origin
Coachella, CA
Late night in Coachella on Tuesday
Local time
2:09 AM
PDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Coachella, CA to Long Beach, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 46m
Distance
136.3 mi
219 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 35m
★
6 AM
2h 46m
8 AM
3h 8m
10 AM
2h 54m
12 PM
2h 51m
3 PM
2h 55m
5 PM
3h 7m
8 PM
2h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Coachella, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Long Beach, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embark on a straightforward 136.3-mile journey from Coachella, CA, to Long Beach, CA, designed for a single day of travel. This 2-hour and 46-minute drive primarily utilizes the Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway, Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, and CA 91, making it a largely highway-focused experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $31, this route offers a convenient and efficient option for moving between the Pacific Coast regions. It's an ideal day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop, and the highway share of 81% means consistent travel conditions.
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
68.1 miles from Coachella, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 17m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway | 32.6 mi | 34m |
| Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway | 17.9 mi | 19m |
| CA 91 | 16.7 mi | 19m |
| Moreno Valley Freeway | 16.5 mi | 20m |
| Riverside Freeway | 13.4 mi | 15m |
| Garden Grove Freeway | 12.7 mi | 14m |
| Costa Mesa Freeway | 4.8 mi | 5m |
| Escondido Freeway | 3.9 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
— 32.6 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Coachella, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on Grapefruit Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
·
Grapefruit Boulevard
2
Turn left
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
3
Turn right onto Avenue 50
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Avenue 50
4
Continue on Tyler Street
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Tyler Street
5
Turn left onto CA 86
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
CA 86
6
Merge onto I 10
33 mi
·
34 min
·
Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 10
18 mi
·
19 min
·
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
Exit 93
Toward CA 60 West: Riverside
Use the slight left lane.
9
Continue on CA 60
0.5 mi
·
33 sec
·
Moreno Valley Freeway
10
Continue on CA 60
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Moreno Valley Expressway
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on CA 60
16 mi
·
20 min
·
Moreno Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 215; CA 60
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Escondido Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
1.5 mi
·
3 min
Exit 34B
Toward CA 91 West: Riverside, Beach Cities
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto CA 91
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Riverside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 50
Toward Main Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on CA 91
17 mi
·
19 min
·
CA 91
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 55
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Costa Mesa Freeway
Exit 34
Toward CA 55 South: Newport Beach
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 13
Toward CA 22 West: Garden Grove Freeway, Long Beach
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto CA 22
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Garden Grove Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on CA 22; I 405
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit onto CA 22
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
CA 22
Exit 23
Toward CA 22 West: Long Beach
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto East 7th Street
2.7 mi
·
6 min
·
East 7th Street
23
Turn left onto Rose Avenue
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
Rose Avenue
Use the left lane.
24
At end of road, turn right onto East 4th Street
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
East 4th Street
25
Turn left onto Alamitos Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Alamitos Avenue
Use the left lane.
26
Turn right onto East Ocean Boulevard
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Ocean Boulevard
Use the right lane.
27
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 46 minutes, you have the flexibility to depart at a time that suits you best, though an early start can help you beat potential traffic. With only one stop recommended, consider planning your break around the midpoint or a convenient rest area. Keep an eye on your fuel as you approach Long Beach, and remember that the estimated fuel cost is $31 for this 136.3-mile trip. A practical tip is to be mindful of the transition onto CA 91, as this is a common area for increased traffic.
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 68.1 miles from Coachella, CA, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.6 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 30 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.1 miles or 1h 17m 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 9m
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 Coachella, 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 Coachella, CA
This is one driving day of about 136.3 miles and 2h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Coachella, 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 Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway for about 32.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
68 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 68.1 miles from Coachella, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 55.1 and 114.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
55.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m in
Take the exit toward CA 60 West: Riverside
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 93
Toward CA 60 West: Riverside
8
77.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m in
Take the exit toward CA 91 West: Riverside, Beach Cities
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 34B
Toward CA 91 West: Riverside, Beach Cities
7
92.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 47m in
Take the exit toward Main Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 50
Toward Main Street
8
109.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 7m in
|
CA 55 / Costa Mesa Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 55 / Costa Mesa Freeway toward CA 55 South: Newport Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 34
Toward CA 55 South: Newport Beach
8
114.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 12m in
Take the exit toward CA 22 West: Garden Grove Freeway, Long Beach
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 13
Toward CA 22 West: Garden Grove Freeway, Long B...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.33 one way
$62.66 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
48 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $32.28 | $64.57 |
| premium | $6.18 | $33.15 | $66.29 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.09 | $60.19 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.7 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 | 40.9 | 0 | $14.31 | $6.54 |
| Efficient EV | 34.1 | 0 | $11.93 | $5.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 54.5 | 0 | $19.08 | $8.72 |
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Destination
Long Beach, CA
Late night in Long Beach on Tuesday
Local time
2:09 AM
PDT
Current temp
58°F
Partly Cloudy
E 5 to 10 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
61°F
Riverside, CA
68 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.
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
1 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 46m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Joshua Tree National Park
National Park
Two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, come together in Joshua Tree National Park. A fascinating variety of plants and animals make their homes in a land sculpted by strong winds...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
$30
near mile 4.7
Caution: Oasis of Mara Trail Partial Closure
Park Closure: Cholla Cactus Garden Trail Closed
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly a highway-focused experience, with 81% of the route utilizing major freeways. You'll spend a good portion of your time on the Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch at 32.6 miles. Expect consistent speeds and straightforward navigation for most of the journey. While the character is largely that of a freeway cruise, the transition between these main roads ensures a continuous flow, maintaining a practical and efficient driving profile throughout.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 32.6 mi on Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway and Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 55.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 18 significant decision points across 136.3 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 55.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 77.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Coachella, CA to Long Beach, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Beach Cities along the way.
Beach Cities
77.8 mi in
|
~1h 28m
About the Cities
Starting in Coachella, CA
Full guide →Founded 1876
Coachella is a city in Riverside County in the Desert region of California.
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 46m. Total distance: 136.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 32.6 miles on Sonny Bono Memorial 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 55.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 77.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Joshua Tree National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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