Origin
Isla Vista, CA
Morning in Isla Vista on Sunday
Local time
11:45 AM
PDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Isla Vista, CA to Long Beach, CA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 34m
Distance
127.4 mi
205 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 24m
★
6 AM
2h 34m
8 AM
2h 55m
10 AM
2h 41m
12 PM
2h 39m
3 PM
2h 42m
5 PM
2h 54m
8 PM
2h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Isla Vista, CA
Abhishek Navlakha
Long Beach, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 127.4-mile drive from Isla Vista, CA to Long Beach, CA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 34 minutes. Primarily utilizing the Ventura Freeway and San Diego Freeway, with a segment on El Camino Real, this highway-focused journey offers a straightforward path along the Pacific Coast. With an estimated fuel cost of $29, it's an economical option for exploring Southern California. The route is designed for efficiency, making it a practical choice for those looking to cover ground without extensive planning.
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
63.7 miles from Isla Vista, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ventura Freeway | 65.2 mi | 1h 15m |
| San Diego Freeway | 31.3 mi | 36m |
| El Camino Real | 22.2 mi | 25m |
| Long Beach Freeway | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| South Los Carneros Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Shoreline Drive | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| West Ocean Boulevard | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Seaside Freeway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Ventura Freeway
— 65.2 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Isla Vista, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on this road
90 ft
·
11 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left
259 ft
·
24 sec
3
Turn left onto Abrego Road
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Abrego Road
4
Turn right onto Camino del Sur
0.2 mi
·
56 sec
·
Camino del Sur
5
Turn right onto El Colegio Road
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
El Colegio Road
6
Turn left onto South Los Carneros Road
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
South Los Carneros Road
Use the left lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward US 101 South
Use the right lane.
8
Merge onto US 101
22 mi
·
25 min
·
El Camino Real
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on US 101
65 mi
·
1 hr 15 min
·
Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward I 405 North, I 405 South: Sacramento, Santa Monica
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 405 South: San Diego Freeway, Santa Monica
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Toward I 405 South: San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 405
13 mi
·
15 min
·
San Diego Freeway
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
For this 1-day trip, consider an early morning departure from Isla Vista to take advantage of lighter traffic on the Ventura Freeway. With a duration of just over 2.5 hours and a fuel cost around $29, you have flexibility for a brief stop if needed, though only one stop is factored into the general calculation. Pay attention to potential congestion as you merge onto the San Diego Freeway and approach the greater Los Angeles area. The longest uninterrupted stretch of 65.2 miles on the Ventura Freeway means you can settle in for a solid driving segment before potential slowdowns.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 63.7 miles from Isla Vista, CA, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.2 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 28 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.7 miles or 1h 16m 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 4m
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 Isla Vista, 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 Isla Vista, CA
This is one driving day of about 127.4 miles and 2h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Isla Vista, 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 Ventura Freeway for about 65.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
64 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 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 63.7 miles from Isla Vista, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Ventura Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 65.2 miles.
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 195 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 125 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.5 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
South Los Carneros Road
Turn left onto South Los Carneros Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
89.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 47m in
Take the exit toward I 405 North, I 405 South: Sacramento, Santa Monica
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 405 North, I 405 South: Sacramento, Sa...
9
90 mi into trip
|
~1h 47m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 405 South: San Diego Freeway, Santa Monica
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 405 South: San Diego Freeway, Santa Mo...
8
90.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 48m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 405 South: San Diego Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 405 South: San Diego Freeway
7
125 mi into trip
|
~2h 29m 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
$29.28 one way
$58.56 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
45 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $30.17 | $60.35 |
| premium | $6.18 | $30.98 | $61.96 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $28.13 | $56.26 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38.2 | 0 | $13.38 | $6.12 |
| Efficient EV | 31.9 | 0 | $11.15 | $5.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 51 | 0 | $17.84 | $8.15 |
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (67% 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
Morning in Long Beach on Sunday
Local time
11:45 AM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Partly Sunny
SW 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Lake Wind Advisory
Lake Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 2:48PM PDT until April 16 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 2:48PM PDT until April 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Hanford 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
6 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 34m 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.
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 70.3
View on nps.gov
Channel Islands National Park
National Park
Channel Islands National Park encompasses five remarkable islands and their ocean environment, preserving and protecting a wealth of natural and cultural resources. Isolation over thousands of years h...
30 mi from route
~74 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
The character of this drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 78% of the route on freeways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 65.2 miles on the Ventura Freeway, offering a consistent pace. While largely a freeway experience, the inclusion of El Camino Real provides a slight shift in road personality. Expect a mix of faster highway travel and potentially more local traffic as you approach your destination in Long Beach.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 65.2 mi on Ventura Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Ventura Freeway and San Diego Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near South Los Carneros Road.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 127.4 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 0.5 miles (South Los Carneros Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 89.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Isla Vista, CA to Long Beach, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Santa Monica along the way.
Santa Monica
89.9 mi in
|
~1h 47m
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 2h 34m. Total distance: 127.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 65.2 miles on Ventura 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. 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 0.5 miles (South Los Carneros Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 89.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and Channel Islands National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Long Beach, CA before heading back.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Long Beach, CA
More trips to Long Beach, CA
Explore more options from Isla Vista, CA or browse trips ending in Long Beach, CA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.