Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Trip from Lakeview, CA to Long Beach, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 25, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 42m
Distance
73.9 mi
119 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
5 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 35m
★
6 AM
1h 42m
8 AM
1h 58m
10 AM
1h 48m
12 PM
1h 46m
3 PM
1h 48m
5 PM
1h 57m
8 PM
1h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Long Beach, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Lakeview to Long Beach is 73.9 miles and takes about 1 hour 42 minutes via CA 91 and Garden Grove Freeway, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within California's Pacific Coast region, transitioning from what's likely a more suburban or exurban feel in Lakeview to the denser urban environment of Long Beach. You'll be on major freeways for most of this trip, so expect consistent traffic, especially as you approach the Los Angeles metropolitan area. It's a straightforward, relatively short drive perfect for a single-day trip, allowing you to get to your destination without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37 miles from Lakeview, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CA 91 | 16.7 mi | 19m |
| Garden Grove Freeway | 12.7 mi | 14m |
| Ramona Expressway | 9.7 mi | 14m |
| Cajalco Road | 6.2 mi | 9m |
| El Sobrante Road | 5.8 mi | 7m |
| Costa Mesa Freeway | 4.8 mi | 5m |
| Riverside Freeway | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| La Sierra Avenue | 3.3 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
CA 91
— 16.7 mi, about 19m
Traffic on I-405
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~7,372 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~476 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 40 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 Lakeview, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on Ramona Expressway
0.6 mi
·
48 sec
·
Ramona Expressway
2
Continue on Ramona Expressway
9.2 mi
·
13 min
·
Ramona Expressway
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on Cajalco Expressway
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Cajalco Expressway
4
Continue on Cajalco Road
6.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Cajalco Road
5
Turn right onto El Sobrante Road
5.8 mi
·
7 min
·
El Sobrante Road
Use the right lane.
6
Turn right onto La Sierra Avenue
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
La Sierra Avenue
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
Toward CA 91 West
Use the left lane.
8
Merge onto CA 91
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Riverside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 50
Toward Main Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on CA 91
17 mi
·
19 min
·
CA 91
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 55
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Costa Mesa Freeway
Exit 34
Toward CA 55 South: Newport Beach
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 13
Toward CA 22 West: Garden Grove Freeway, Long Beach
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto CA 22
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Garden Grove Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on CA 22; I 405
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto CA 22
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
CA 22
Exit 23
Toward CA 22 West: Long Beach
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto East 7th Street
2.7 mi
·
6 min
·
East 7th Street
17
Turn left onto Rose Avenue
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
Rose Avenue
Use the left lane.
18
At end of road, turn right onto East 4th Street
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
East 4th Street
19
Turn left onto Alamitos Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Alamitos Avenue
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto East Ocean Boulevard
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Ocean Boulevard
Use the right lane.
21
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of this 1 hour 42 minute drive, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the mid-morning, after the initial rush hour, could offer a smoother entry onto the CA 91. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $17 and you'll want to ensure you have enough to reach your destination comfortably, especially if you plan any detours. There are no specific stops recommended on this route, but with only 73.9 miles, you can easily pull over at a rest stop on the freeway if needed. Pay attention to the Ramona Expressway if you use it, as it may have different traffic conditions than the main freeways.
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 37 miles from Lakeview, CA, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 16.7 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 16 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37 miles or 51m 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 21m
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 Lakeview, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lakeview, CA
This is one driving day of about 73.9 miles and 1h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Lakeview, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on CA 91 for about 16.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
37 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 37 miles from Lakeview, 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.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.7 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 16.7 and 67 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
16.7 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
El Sobrante Road
Turn right onto El Sobrante Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
30.4 mi into trip
|
~43m in
Take the exit toward Main Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 50
Toward Main Street
8
47.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m in
|
CA 55 / Costa Mesa Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 55 / Costa Mesa Freeway toward CA 55 South: Newport Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 34
Toward CA 55 South: Newport Beach
8
52.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
Take the exit toward CA 22 West: Garden Grove Freeway, Long Beach
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.
Exit 13
Toward CA 22 West: Garden Grove Freeway, Long B...
7
67 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m 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
$16.75 one way
$33.50 round trip
$5.76/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.96 | $17.33 | $34.66 |
| premium | $6.09 | $17.72 | $35.45 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $15.72 | $31.44 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
EV Charging Along Route
5 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
ChargePoint Charging Station
Brea, California
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Circle K Charging Station
Perris, California
Other
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Fullerton, California
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
EvGateway Charging Station
Perris, California
Other
1 DCFC
EVCS Charging Station
Yorba Linda, California
EVCS
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 2
Other: 2
EVCS: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.2 | 0 | $7.76 | $3.55 |
| Efficient EV | 18.5 | 0 | $6.47 | $2.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.6 | 0 | $10.35 | $4.73 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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.
Origin
Lakeview, CA
Afternoon in Lakeview on Saturday
Local time
4:45 PM
PDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Long Beach, CA
Afternoon in Long Beach on Saturday
Local time
4:45 PM
PDT
Current temp
65°F
Chance Rain Showers
WSW 15 mph
49% 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
7 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
1h 42m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 72% of the drive spent on freeways like the CA 91 and Garden Grove Freeway. You'll encounter your longest stretch of uninterrupted driving for 16.7 miles on the CA 91. Expect a significant number of exits as you get closer to Long Beach, indicating the shift from more open cruising to navigating urban interchanges. The transition to surface roads will occur as you near your destination, requiring attention to local traffic patterns.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 16.7 mi on CA 91.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CA 91 and Garden Grove Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16.7 miles in near El Sobrante Road.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 73.9 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 16.7 miles (El Sobrante Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 30.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.3 miles (CA 55 / Costa Mesa Freeway): 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 1h 42m. Total distance: 73.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 16.7 miles on CA 91. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 16.7 miles (El Sobrante Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 30.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.3 miles (CA 55 / Costa Mesa Freeway): 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.
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, NREL for EV charging, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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