Eucalyptus Hills to Long Beach is 113.8 miles and takes about 2 hours 23 minutes via the San Diego Freeway, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within California's Pacific Coast region, offering a relatively straightforward transition between two coastal communities. Given its manageable length and predominantly highway profile, it's a good option for a single-day trip when you want to get to your destination without a lengthy overnight commitment. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient connection between these Southern California locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
56.9 miles from Eucalyptus Hills, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
San Diego Freeway
63 mi
1h 13m
San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
14.1 mi
16m
San Clemente Canyon Freeway
12.9 mi
14m
Jacob Dekema Freeway
4.3 mi
4m
Corona Del Mar Freeway
4 mi
4m
East 7th Street
2.7 mi
6m
I 405
2.7 mi
3m
CA 22
2.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
San Diego Freeway
— 63 mi, about 1h 13m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 42 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
11 AM
~5,123 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,998
Quietest
2 AM
~886 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 43 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 Eucalyptus Hills, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on Eucalyptus Hills Drive
0.4 mi·58 sec·Eucalyptus Hills Drive
2
At end of road, turn left onto Oak Creek Drive
0.9 mi·1 min·Oak Creek Drive
3
Continue on Palm Row Drive
0.4 mi·59 sec·Palm Row Drive
4
Turn right onto Riverside Drive
0.3 mi·34 sec·Riverside Drive
5
Turn left onto Riverford Road
0.4 mi·40 sec·Riverford Road
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward CA 67 South: El Cajon
7
Merge onto CA 67
1.4 mi·1 min·San Vicente Freeway
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·47 sec
Toward CA 52 West
9
Continue on CA 52
13 mi·14 min·San Clemente Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·23 sec
Exit 3Toward I 805 South, I 805 NorthUse the slight right lane.
Toward CA 73 North: Long BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on CA 73
4.0 mi·4 min·Corona Del Mar Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 405
9.6 mi·11 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 405
2.7 mi·3 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit onto CA 22
2.5 mi·3 min·CA 22
Exit 23Toward CA 22 West: Long BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto East 7th Street
2.7 mi·6 min·East 7th Street
22
Turn left onto Rose Avenue
0.3 mi·51 sec·Rose Avenue
Use the left lane.
23
At end of road, turn right onto East 4th Street
0.7 mi·2 min·East 4th Street
24
Turn left onto Alamitos Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Alamitos Avenue
Use the left lane.
25
Turn right onto East Ocean Boulevard
0.4 mi·1 min·East Ocean Boulevard
Use the right lane.
26
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour, 23-minute drive, aiming for a mid-morning departure can help you avoid the worst of rush hour traffic in both the Eucalyptus Hills area and as you approach Long Beach. Since the total distance is just over 113 miles, you likely won't need to break it up with an overnight stay, giving you flexibility. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $26, and the longest stretch without a major change is 63 miles on the San Diego Freeway. Plan for a quick stop around the halfway point if needed, perhaps after about an hour of driving, to stretch your legs before the final push into Long Beach.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 56.9 miles from Eucalyptus Hills, CA, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63 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 25 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.9 miles or 1h 9m 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 51m
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 Eucalyptus Hills, 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 Eucalyptus Hills, CA
This is one driving day of about 113.8 miles and 2h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Eucalyptus Hills, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on San Diego Freeway for about 63 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 17.4 and 106.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
17.4 mi into trip|~22m in
Take the exit toward I 805 South, I 805 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 3
Toward I 805 South, I 805 North
6
58.5 mi into trip|~1h 11m in|I 5 / San Diego Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 / San Diego Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
76.5 mi into trip|~1h 32m in|CA 73 / San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 73 / San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor toward CA 73 North: Long Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 73 North: Long Beach
6
104.2 mi into trip|~2h 4m in|I 405
Keep slight left at fork onto I 405
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
106.9 mi into trip|~2h 7m in|CA 22
Take the exit onto CA 22 toward CA 22 West: Long Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 23
Toward CA 22 West: Long Beach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.79 one way
$51.59 round trip
$5.76/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.96
$26.68
$53.37
premium
$6.09
$27.29
$54.59
diesel
$5.40
$24.21
$48.41
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.1
0
$11.95
$5.46
Efficient EV
28.5
0
$9.96
$4.55
EV Truck/SUV
45.5
0
$15.93
$7.28
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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 25, 2026
Origin
Eucalyptus Hills, CA
Afternoon
in Eucalyptus Hills on Saturday
Local time
2:54 PM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Chance Rain Showers
SW 10 to 15 mph44% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 25 at 11:30AM MST until April 26 at 5:00AM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 25 at 11:30AM MST until April 26 at 11:00PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Destination
Long Beach, CA
Afternoon
in Long Beach on Saturday
Local time
2:54 PM
PDT
Current temp
65°F
Light Rain Likely
SW 5 to 15 mph56% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 25 at 11:30AM MST until April 26 at 5:00AM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 25 at 11:30AM MST until April 26 at 11:00PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
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
3 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
2h 23m 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.
Cabrillo National Monument
National Monument
In 1542, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo climbed out of his boat and onto shore, becoming the first European to set foot on what is now the West Coast of the United States. Cabrillo National Monument not only...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
$20
near mile 15.7
Park Closure: Park Auditorium Closed Until Further Notice
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect to spend about 80% of this 113.8-mile trip on freeways, primarily the San Diego Freeway. The longest continuous stretch on this freeway is 63 miles. You'll transition from highway driving to surface roads as you approach your destination in Long Beach. The high percentage of freeway driving means you'll likely encounter merging traffic and multiple exit points as you get closer to the urban core.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 63 mi on San Diego Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on San Diego Freeway and San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.4 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 21 significant decision points across 113.8 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 17.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.5 miles (I 5 / San Diego Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 76.5 miles (CA 73 / San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor): 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 2h 23m. Total distance: 113.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 63 miles on San Diego 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 17.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.5 miles (I 5 / San Diego Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 76.5 miles (CA 73 / San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor): 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.
