Origin
Inyokern, CA
Late night in Inyokern on Tuesday
Local time
5:14 AM
PDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Inyokern, 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
3h 17m
Distance
168.1 mi
271 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 5m
★
6 AM
3h 17m
8 AM
3h 41m
10 AM
3h 26m
12 PM
3h 23m
3 PM
3h 27m
5 PM
3h 40m
8 PM
3h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Inyokern, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Long Beach, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Inyokern to Long Beach is 168.1 miles and takes about 3h 17m via Antelope Valley Freeway, Aerospace Highway, and I 405 Truck, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you from the Pacific Coast region of California to the same region, offering a mixed drive experience. Given its manageable distance and duration, this route is best suited for a single-day journey. You'll encounter a significant portion on highways, making it a fairly direct path. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient drive within California.
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
84.1 miles from Inyokern, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 38m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Antelope Valley Freeway | 49.1 mi | 54m |
| Aerospace Highway | 38.2 mi | 42m |
| I 405 Truck | 23 mi | 26m |
| Midland Trail | 22 mi | 25m |
| San Diego Freeway | 18 mi | 20m |
| Sierra Highway | 4.7 mi | 6m |
| West Inyokern Road | 4.1 mi | 7m |
| Golden State Freeway | 2.6 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Antelope Valley Freeway
— 49.1 mi, about 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Inyokern, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on this road
21 ft
·
5 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto CA 178
4.1 mi
·
7 min
·
West Inyokern Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto CA 14; CA 178; US 6 Hist
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Aerospace Highway
4
Continue on CA 14; CA 178; US 6 Hist
22 mi
·
25 min
·
Midland Trail
5
Continue on CA 14; US 6 Hist
20 mi
·
23 min
·
Aerospace Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
At end of road, turn left onto CA 14; CA 58 BUS; US 6 Hist
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Sierra Highway
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on CA 14
16 mi
·
16 min
·
Aerospace Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on CA 14; CA 138
48 mi
·
53 min
·
Antelope Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 14
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Antelope Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 5
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
·
I 5 Truck
Exit 158
Toward I 405 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
23 mi
·
26 min
·
I 405 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
18 mi
·
20 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
377 ft
·
9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long Beach
Use the slight right lane.
16
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
this road
Exit 32B
Toward I 710 South: Long Beach
17
Merge onto I 710
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 710
0.5 mi
·
40 sec
·
Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, Aquarium
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
20
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Shoreline Drive
21
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
22
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Ocean Boulevard
23
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
24
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just over 3 hours, this is a straightforward, same-day trip from Inyokern to Long Beach. You can comfortably start your drive anytime during daylight hours. Since it's a relatively short drive with only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you transition onto the I 405 Truck, and plan your refueling accordingly. A concrete tip: utilize the 49.1-mile stretch on the Antelope Valley Freeway to establish a steady pace before potentially encountering more varied traffic closer to the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 84.1 miles from Inyokern, CA, or about 1h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.1 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 37 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.1 miles or 1h 38m 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 39m
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 Inyokern, 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 Inyokern, CA
This is one driving day of about 168.1 miles and 3h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Inyokern, 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 Antelope Valley Freeway for about 49.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 84.1 miles from Inyokern, 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 165 decision points cluster between mile 48.6 and 165.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
48.6 mi into trip
|
~58m in
|
CA 14; CA 58 BUS; US 6 Hist / Sierra Highway
At end of road, turn left onto CA 14; CA 58 BUS; US 6 Hist / Sierra Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
117.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 15m in
|
CA 14 / Antelope Valley Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 14 / Antelope Valley Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
118.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 16m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
121.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 19m 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
165.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 12m 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
$38.64 one way
$77.27 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $39.81 | $79.63 |
| premium | $6.18 | $40.88 | $81.76 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.11 | $74.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.4 | 0 | $17.65 | $8.07 |
| Efficient EV | 42 | 0 | $14.71 | $6.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67.2 | 0 | $23.53 | $10.76 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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
5:14 AM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
3h 17m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features a 57% highway share, meaning you'll spend a good amount of time on faster-paced roads like the Antelope Valley Freeway and I 405 Truck. The longest stretch without a significant break is 49.1 miles on the Antelope Valley Freeway. The profile is described as a 'mixed drive,' suggesting you'll transition between different types of roadways, likely including some non-highway sections as you approach your destination. Expect a predominantly functional driving experience rather than a winding, scenic tour.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 49.1 mi on Antelope Valley Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 48.6 miles in near CA 14; CA 58 BUS; US 6 Hist / Sierra Highway.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 168.1 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 48.6 miles (CA 14; CA 58 BUS; US 6 Hist / Sierra Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 117.1 miles (CA 14 / Antelope Valley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 118.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
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 3h 17m. Total distance: 168.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 49.1 miles on Antelope Valley Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 48.6 miles (CA 14; CA 58 BUS; US 6 Hist / Sierra Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 117.1 miles (CA 14 / Antelope Valley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 118.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Long Beach, CA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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