Copperopolis, CA to Long Beach, CA is 358.3 miles and takes about 7h 5m via CA 99 and Golden State Freeway, with a fuel budget near $81 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you from the Pacific Coast region down to the same region, primarily on major highways. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on the freeway, making it a good option if you're looking for a direct route. With a recommended one-day drive, you can expect to cover a significant distance efficiently. Plan for around 7 hours of pure driving time, not including any stops.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
179.1 miles from Copperopolis, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
CA 99
96.8 mi
1h 47m
Golden State Freeway
94.8 mi
1h 47m
Golden State Highway
58.6 mi
1h 2m
La Grange Road
26.2 mi
38m
I 405 Truck
23 mi
26m
2nd Street
18 mi
27m
San Diego Freeway
18 mi
20m
O'Byrnes Ferry Road
11.4 mi
15m
Longest stretch:
CA 99
— 96.8 mi, about 1h 47m
Traffic on I-405
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 168 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~7,776 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~727 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 77 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 Copperopolis, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on E15
1.2 mi·2 min·Main Street
2
Continue on E15
11 mi·15 min·O'Byrnes Ferry Road
3
At end of road, turn right onto CA 108; CA 120
3.2 mi·4 min·CA 108; CA 120
4
Turn left onto J59
26 mi·38 min·La Grange Road
Use the left lane.
5
At end of road, turn right onto CA 59; J16
0.4 mi·37 sec·Merced Falls Road
6
Continue on CA 59; J16
387 ft·6 sec·La Grange Road
7
Continue on CA 59; J16
18 mi·27 min·2nd Street
8
Turn right
142 ft·5 sec
Toward CA 59 South
9
Turn right onto CA 59
0.2 mi·25 sec·V Street
10
Turn left onto CA 59; CA 140
0.4 mi·34 sec·West 13th Street
11
Take the ramp onto CA 140 East; CA 59
0.2 mi·30 sec·CA 140 East; CA 59
Toward CA 99 South
12
Merge onto CA 99; CA 59; CA 140
0.3 mi·22 sec·CA 99; CA 59; CA 140
13
Continue on CA 99; CA 140
55 mi·1 hr 2 min·CA 99; CA 140
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
41 mi·44 min·CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
59 mi·1 hr 2 min·Golden State Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on CA 99
5.2 mi·5 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
27 mi·30 min·Golden State Freeway
Toward CA 99 South: Los AngelesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
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.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
23 mi·26 min·I 405 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
18 mi·20 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
377 ft·9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long BeachUse the slight right lane.
24
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·39 sec·this road
Exit 32BToward I 710 South: Long Beach
25
Merge onto I 710
2.4 mi·3 min·Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on I 710
0.5 mi·40 sec·Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, AquariumUse the slight left / straight lanes.
28
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·Shoreline Drive
29
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
0.2 mi·30 sec·South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
30
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·West Ocean Boulevard
31
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
0.1 mi·21 sec·East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
32
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour drive time, leaving early in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid peak traffic, especially as you get closer to Southern California. You'll have two recommended stops, which is plenty of time to stretch your legs and grab a bite. Keep an eye on your fuel; the estimated cost is $81, so plan your fill-ups accordingly. A key consideration for this route is the 96.8-mile stretch on CA 99, which is the longest continuous highway segment, so make sure you're fueled and ready before starting that portion.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 179.1 miles from Copperopolis, CA, or about 3h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96.8 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 79 miles or 1h 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 179.1 miles or 3h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 53m
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 Copperopolis, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Copperopolis, CA
This is one driving day of about 358.3 miles and 7h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Copperopolis, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on CA 99 for about 96.8 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 117.1 and 355.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
117.1 mi into trip|~2h 34m in|CA 99
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
158 mi into trip|~3h 18m in|CA 99 / Golden State Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99 / Golden State Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
221.8 mi into trip|~4h 26m in|CA 99 / Golden State Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99 / Golden State Freeway toward CA 99 South: Los Angeles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 99 South: Los Angeles
8
311.4 mi into trip|~6h 8m 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
355.9 mi into trip|~7h 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
$87.68 one way
$175.37 round trip
$6.22/gal25.4 MPG avg125 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.40
$90.29
$180.59
premium
$6.57
$92.62
$185.24
diesel
$6.18
$87.16
$174.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$88
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$113–$138
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 125.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
107.5
1
$37.62
$17.20
Efficient EV
89.6
1
$31.35
$14.33
EV Truck/SUV
143.3
1
$50.16
$22.93
Gas CO2
125 kg
EV CO2
42 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Copperopolis, CA
Afternoon
in Copperopolis on Monday
Local time
3:00 PM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Mostly Clear
N 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 19 at 1:23AM PDT until October 20 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 18 at 12:31PM PDT until October 20 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Destination
Long Beach, CA
Afternoon
in Long Beach on Monday
Local time
3:00 PM
PDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Clear
S 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 19 at 1:23AM PDT until October 20 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 18 at 12:31PM PDT until October 20 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard 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
7 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
7h 5m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
18 mi from route
~44 min detour
Free
near mile 321.2
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...
25 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 234.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is about 67% highway, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on freeways like CA 99 and the Golden State Freeway. The longest continuous stretch without a major change in road type is 96.8 miles on CA 99. Expect to encounter a high density of exits and potential for merging traffic as you approach and travel through urban areas. The profile is mostly highway, so expect relatively consistent speeds for much of the drive.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 96.8 mi on CA 99.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CA 99 and Golden State Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 117.1 miles in near CA 99.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 358.3 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 117.1 miles (CA 99): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 158 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 221.8 miles (CA 99 / Golden State 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
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 5m. Total distance: 358.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 5m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 96.8 miles on CA 99. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 28 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 28 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 117.1 miles (CA 99): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 158 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 221.8 miles (CA 99 / Golden State 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 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.2 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.
