This 474.8-mile journey from Colusa to Long Beach is designed for efficiency, clocking in at an estimated 8 hours and 48 minutes of driving time. Primarily following the Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, and I 405 Truck, this route is heavily highway-focused, with 97% of it being on major roadways. Given its length and highway nature, it's best split over two days to avoid excessive fatigue. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $109, and you'll make about two planned stops. This drive offers a straightforward path through California, connecting two points within the Pacific Coast region.
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
237.4 miles from Colusa, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
356.2 mi
6h 24m
I 5 Truck
58.6 mi
1h 7m
I 405 Truck
23 mi
26m
San Diego Freeway
18 mi
20m
10th Street
8.7 mi
12m
Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi
4m
Long Beach Freeway
2.4 mi
3m
Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 356.2 mi, about 6h 24m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 244 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~3,355 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,322
Quietest
2 AM
~474 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 44 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colusa, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on CA 20
0.3 mi·52 sec·Market Street
2
Turn left onto CA 20
8.7 mi·12 min·10th Street
Use the left lane.
3
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto I 5
24 mi·26 min·Westside Freeway
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
16 mi·16 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
79 mi·1 hr 27 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi·48 sec·Westside Freeway
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
237 mi·4 hr 13 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
23 mi·26 min·I 405 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
18 mi·20 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
377 ft·9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long BeachUse the slight right lane.
15
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·39 sec·this road
Exit 32BToward I 710 South: Long Beach
16
Merge onto I 710
2.4 mi·3 min·Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 710
0.5 mi·40 sec·Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, AquariumUse the slight left / straight lanes.
19
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·Shoreline Drive
20
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
0.2 mi·30 sec·South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
21
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·West Ocean Boulevard
22
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
0.1 mi·21 sec·East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
23
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
To best manage this 8-hour, 48-minute drive, plan to split it over two days, making your first day's leg about 4 hours and your second day's around 4.5 hours. Start your drive early in the morning to maximize daylight and minimize traffic, especially as you approach the Los Angeles area. With an estimated fuel cost of $109, monitor your fuel gauge, particularly during the longest stretch of 356.2 miles on the Westside Freeway, where services might be less frequent. Aim to break up your journey with your two planned stops in the late morning and mid-afternoon.
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 237.4 miles from Colusa, CA, or about 4h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 356.2 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 104 miles or 1h 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 237.4 miles or 4h 21m 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 237.4 miles or 4h 21m
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 7h 35m
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 Colusa, 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 Colusa, CA
Aim for roughly 237 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Long Beach, CA
Aim for roughly 237 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 104 miles from Colusa, 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 356.2 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 472.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|CA 20 / 10th Street
Turn left onto CA 20 / 10th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
9 mi into trip|~13m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
33.7 mi into trip|~40m in|I 5 / Westside Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Westside Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
427.9 mi into trip|~7h 50m 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
7
472.4 mi into trip|~8h 42m 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
$99.33 one way
$198.67 round trip
$5.31/gal25.4 MPG avg166 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$103.17
$206.33
premium
$5.67
$105.90
$211.79
diesel
$4.80
$89.65
$179.30
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$99
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$229–$339
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 166.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $50 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
142.4
1
$49.85
$22.79
Efficient EV
118.7
1
$41.55
$18.99
EV Truck/SUV
189.9
2
$66.47
$30.39
Gas CO2
166 kg
EV CO2
56 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 Jul 16, 2026
Origin
Colusa, CA
Morning
in Colusa on Sunday
Local time
8:23 AM
PDT
Current temp
97°F
Sunny
SSE 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 4:05PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 16 at 1:29PM PDT until July 16 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Destination
Long Beach, CA
Morning
in Long Beach on Sunday
Local time
8:23 AM
PDT
Current temp
85°F
Mostly Sunny
S 5 to 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 4:05PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 16 at 1:29PM PDT until July 16 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego 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.
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
12 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
8h 48m 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.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
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 442.1
Yes, we can! Widely recognized as the most important Latino leader in the United States during the twentieth century, Cesar Chavez led farm workers and supporters in the establishment of the country's...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
Free
near mile 360.2
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 the vast majority of this trip, with 97% of the mileage on major arteries. The character of the road is consistent, dominated by the Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, and I 405 Truck. You'll encounter one substantial stretch of 356.2 miles on the Westside Freeway, meaning long periods of uninterrupted driving. This route prioritizes directness over scenic detours, offering a predictable and efficient travel experience for those looking to cover ground quickly.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 356.2 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 0.3 miles in near CA 20 / 10th Street.
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 19 significant decision points across 474.8 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 0.3 miles (CA 20 / 10th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.7 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 356.2 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 237 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 42 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 42 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (CA 20 / 10th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.7 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and César E. Chávez National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.8 hours each way, a round trip means 17.6 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.
