Origin
King City, CA
Morning in King City on Sunday
Local time
11:44 AM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from King City, 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
5h 27m
Distance
280.7 mi
452 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$65
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 14m
★
6 AM
5h 27m
8 AM
5h 54m
10 AM
5h 37m
12 PM
5h 34m
3 PM
5h 38m
5 PM
5h 53m
8 PM
5h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
King City, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Long Beach, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 280.7-mile drive from King City, CA to Long Beach, CA is designed for a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 27 minutes. You'll primarily navigate major highways, with 67% of the journey on them, making it a highway-focused experience. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $65. This route is a straightforward connection between two points within the Pacific Coast region, offering a practical way to travel between these California destinations. It's a solid day trip option for those looking to cover ground efficiently.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
140.4 miles from King City, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 45m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 Truck | 58.6 mi | 1h 7m |
| Westside Freeway | 56.8 mi | 1h |
| El Camino Real | 48.9 mi | 56m |
| Paso Robles Highway | 32.3 mi | 38m |
| CA 46 | 24.5 mi | 28m |
| I 405 Truck | 23 mi | 26m |
| San Diego Freeway | 18 mi | 20m |
| Antelope Road | 5.3 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
I 5 Truck
— 58.6 mi, about 1h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between King City, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on South Third Street
106 ft
·
7 sec
·
South Third Street
2
Turn right onto CR G13; US 101 BUS
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Broadway Street
3
Turn right
181 ft
·
7 sec
Toward US 101 BUS, CR G15: South First Street
4
Turn straight onto CR G15; US 101 BUS
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South First Street
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward US 101: US 101 South
6
Merge onto US 101
49 mi
·
56 min
·
El Camino Real
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward CA 46 East: Fresno, Bakersfield
8
Turn left onto CA 46
24 mi
·
28 min
·
CA 46
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
Merge onto CA 41; CA 46
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
CA 41; CA 46
10
Turn slight right
490 ft
·
6 sec
11
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 46
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Antelope Road
12
Continue on CA 46
32 mi
·
38 min
·
Paso Robles Highway
Use the slight left lane.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
24 sec
14
Merge onto I 5
57 mi
·
1 hr
·
Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
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.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
23 mi
·
26 min
·
I 405 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
18 mi
·
20 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
377 ft
·
9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long Beach
Use the slight right lane.
21
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
this road
Exit 32B
Toward I 710 South: Long Beach
22
Merge onto I 710
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 710
0.5 mi
·
40 sec
·
Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, Aquarium
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
25
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Shoreline Drive
26
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
27
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Ocean Boulevard
28
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
29
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour, 27-minute duration, this trip is comfortably manageable in one day. Aim to depart King City in the morning to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you approach the Los Angeles area. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility to take breaks when needed, but be mindful of the longest stretch of 58.6 miles on I 5 Truck, planning a fuel or rest stop before you reach that point. The estimated $65 fuel cost is a good budget baseline for this 280.7-mile drive.
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 140.4 miles from King City, CA, or about 2h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.6 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 62 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.4 miles or 2h 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 25m
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 King City, 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 King City, CA
This is one driving day of about 280.7 miles and 5h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from King City, 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 I 5 Truck for about 58.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
140 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 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 140.4 miles from King City, 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 225 decision points cluster between mile 171.5 and 278.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
171.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 18m in
|
I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
229.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 25m in
|
I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
233.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 29m 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
6
234.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 30m in
|
I 405 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
278.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 22m 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
$64.52 one way
$129.03 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
98 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $66.48 | $132.97 |
| premium | $6.18 | $68.26 | $136.53 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $61.98 | $123.95 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$65
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$90–$115
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 84.2 | 1 | $29.47 | $13.47 |
| Efficient EV | 70.2 | 0 | $24.56 | $11.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 112.3 | 1 | $39.30 | $17.96 |
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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.
Destination
Long Beach, CA
Morning in Long Beach on Sunday
Local time
11:44 AM
PDT
Current temp
58°F
Partly Cloudy
E 5 to 10 mph
1% chance
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
11 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
5h 27m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive for this 280.7-mile trip, with 67% of your travel on major routes like I 5 Truck and Westside Freeway. While El Camino Real offers some variation, the bulk of the miles will be on faster roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 58.6 miles on I 5 Truck, indicating significant periods of consistent highway travel. This route is characterized by its efficiency rather than winding scenic byways, allowing you to maintain a steady pace for most of the 5-hour-plus journey.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 58.6 mi on I 5 Truck.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 Truck and Westside Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 171.5 miles in near I 5 Truck.
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 22 significant decision points across 280.7 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 171.5 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 229.8 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 233.9 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 King City, CA to Long Beach, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Bakersfield along the way.
Bakersfield
50.5 mi in
|
~1h
About the Cities
Starting in King City, CA
Full guide →King City is a city in the central region of California between San Jose and San Luis Obispo. Considered the mid-way point between Central and Southern California, King City is both a popular pit-stop for drivers, and a nice little town to visit.
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 5h 27m. Total distance: 280.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 58.6 miles on I 5 Truck. 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 171.5 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 229.8 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 233.9 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 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.
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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