Folsom, CA to Long Beach, CA is 419.9 miles and takes about 7h 55m via Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck, with a fuel budget near $95 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within California, connecting two points along the Pacific Coast. With 95% of the route on highways, expect a straightforward, efficient trip. Given the duration and mileage, it's a manageable one-day drive for most, making it a good option if you're looking to cover ground quickly between Northern and Southern California.
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
209.9 miles from Folsom, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
250.2 mi
4h 28m
I 5 Truck
58.6 mi
1h 7m
South Sacramento Freeway
29.7 mi
34m
I 405 Truck
23 mi
26m
San Diego Freeway
18 mi
20m
Bradshaw Road
11.6 mi
16m
El Dorado Freeway
8.6 mi
9m
Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 250.2 mi, about 4h 28m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 97 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~1,926 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,652
Quietest
2 AM
~360 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.4×
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 Folsom, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on Sutter Street
0.1 mi·25 sec·Sutter Street
2
Turn right onto Wool Street
366 ft·18 sec·Wool Street
3
Turn left onto Leidesdorff Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·Leidesdorff Street
4
Turn left
0.2 mi·31 sec
5
Turn straight onto Folsom Boulevard
2.6 mi·4 min·Folsom Boulevard
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 50 West: SacramentoUse the right lane.
7
Merge onto US 50
8.6 mi·9 min·El Dorado Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 13Toward Bradshaw RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn left onto Bradshaw Road
9.0 mi·12 min·Bradshaw Road
Use the left lane.
10
Enter roundabout onto Bradshaw Road
81 ft·1 sec·Bradshaw Road
11
Continue on Bradshaw Road
2.6 mi·3 min·Bradshaw Road
Use the left / uturn lanes.
12
Turn right onto E2
2.2 mi·3 min·Grant Line Road
Use the right lane.
13
Continue on E2
0.1 mi·10 sec·Kammerer Road
14
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
15
Merge onto CA 99
30 mi·34 min·South Sacramento Freeway
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward CA 4
17
Merge onto CA 4
2.4 mi·2 min·Crosstown Freeway
18
Take the exit onto CA 4
0.4 mi·50 sec·CA 4
Toward I 5: Sacramento
19
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 4
0.7 mi·1 min·CA 4
Toward I 5 South
20
Merge onto I 5; CA 4
13 mi·14 min·Westside Freeway
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi·48 sec·Westside Freeway
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
237 mi·4 hr 13 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
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.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
23 mi·26 min·I 405 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
18 mi·20 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
377 ft·9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long BeachUse the slight right lane.
29
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·39 sec·this road
Exit 32BToward I 710 South: Long Beach
30
Merge onto I 710
2.4 mi·3 min·Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on I 710
0.5 mi·40 sec·Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, AquariumUse the slight left / straight lanes.
33
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·Shoreline Drive
34
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
0.2 mi·30 sec·South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
35
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·West Ocean Boulevard
36
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
0.1 mi·21 sec·East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
37
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
For this 7-hour, 55-minute drive, departing early in the morning is your best bet to avoid traffic, especially as you near Long Beach. Plan for at least two stops to stretch your legs and refuel. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is over 250 miles, so be prepared for that portion. Your estimated fuel cost is around $95, so ensure you have enough to cover this, factoring in potential price fluctuations. Given it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but breaking it up is not necessary.
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 209.9 miles from Folsom, CA, or about 3h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 250.2 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 92 miles or 1h 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 209.9 miles or 3h 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 43m
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 Folsom, 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 Folsom, CA
This is one driving day of about 419.9 miles and 7h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 92 miles from Folsom, 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 Westside Freeway for about 250.2 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 32
5 decision points cluster between mile 12.3 and 417.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
12.3 mi into trip|~16m in
Take the exit toward Bradshaw Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 13
Toward Bradshaw Road
6
12.5 mi into trip|~17m in|Bradshaw Road
Turn left onto Bradshaw Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
74 mi into trip|~1h 33m 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
373 mi into trip|~6h 58m 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
417.4 mi into trip|~7h 50m 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
$87.85 one way
$175.70 round trip
$5.31/gal25.4 MPG avg147 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$91.24
$182.47
premium
$5.67
$93.65
$187.30
diesel
$4.80
$79.29
$158.57
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: 146.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
126
1
$44.09
$20.16
Efficient EV
105
1
$36.74
$16.80
EV Truck/SUV
168
2
$58.79
$26.87
Gas CO2
147 kg
EV CO2
49 kg (67% 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 17, 2026
Origin
Folsom, CA
Morning
in Folsom on Sunday
Local time
8:25 AM
PDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Clear
S 3 to 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
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
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
8:25 AM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Patchy Fog
SSE 5 to 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
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
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.
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
8 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 55m 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...
19 mi from route
~47 min detour
Free
near mile 390.9
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
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 304
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 95% of the 419.9 miles spent on major freeways. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 250.2 miles on the Westside Freeway before transitioning. The transition from highway to surface roads, if any, will occur late in the trip. Expect a consistent cruising experience with many exits and potential for urban merging as you approach your destination.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 250.2 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 12.3 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 32 significant decision points across 419.9 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 12.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 miles (Bradshaw Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 74 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Folsom is a city of 82,000 people (2019) in Sacramento County in California. Folsom is home to Folsom Lake College, Folsom Dam, Folsom Prison and a historic district. Folsom is also home to the largest private employer in the Sacramento area, Intel.
Top landmarks
•Folsom Depot — train station in Folsom, California
•Murer House and Gardens — house in Folsom, California, United States
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 55m. Total distance: 419.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 55m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 250.2 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 34 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 34 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 12.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 miles (Bradshaw Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 74 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 7.9 hours each way, a round trip means 15.9 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.
