Le Grand, CA to Long Beach, CA is 288.5 miles and takes about 5h 29m via Golden State Freeway, with a fuel budget near $66 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily follows major highways, making it a straightforward journey between the Pacific Coast regions of California. Expect a highway-focused experience with a significant portion on the Golden State Freeway and CA 99. With a recommended one-day duration and a relatively short drive time, this route is ideal for those looking for an efficient trip between these two points.
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
144.2 miles from Le Grand, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Golden State Freeway
94.8 mi
1h 47m
CA 99
80.4 mi
1h 28m
Golden State Highway
58.6 mi
1h 2m
I 405 Truck
23 mi
26m
San Diego Freeway
18 mi
20m
South Minturn Road
5.3 mi
9m
Long Beach Freeway
2.4 mi
3m
Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Golden State Freeway
— 94.8 mi, about 1h 47m
Traffic on I-405
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 168 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~7,776 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~727 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 77 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 Le Grand, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on Le Grand Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Le Grand Road
2
Turn left onto South Minturn Road
5.3 mi·9 min·South Minturn Road
3
Continue on Road 15
0.8 mi·1 min·Road 15
4
Turn right
133 ft·5 sec
5
Turn slight right onto Chowchilla Boulevard
0.2 mi·23 sec·Chowchilla Boulevard
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
7
Merge onto CA 99
39 mi·44 min·CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
41 mi·44 min·CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
59 mi·1 hr 2 min·Golden State Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on CA 99
5.2 mi·5 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
27 mi·30 min·Golden State Freeway
Toward CA 99 South: Los AngelesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
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.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
23 mi·26 min·I 405 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
18 mi·20 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
377 ft·9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long BeachUse the slight right lane.
18
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·39 sec·this road
Exit 32BToward I 710 South: Long Beach
19
Merge onto I 710
2.4 mi·3 min·Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 710
0.5 mi·40 sec·Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, AquariumUse the slight left / straight lanes.
22
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·Shoreline Drive
23
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
0.2 mi·30 sec·South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
24
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·West Ocean Boulevard
25
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
0.1 mi·21 sec·East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
26
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 29m estimated drive time, you can comfortably complete this trip in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected traffic, especially as you approach the Los Angeles area. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $66, planning your refuels along the main highways should be straightforward. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a major exit is 94.8 miles on the Golden State Freeway.
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 144.2 miles from Le Grand, CA, or about 2h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.8 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 63 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.2 miles or 2h 42m 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 26m
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 Le Grand, 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 Le Grand, CA
This is one driving day of about 288.5 miles and 5h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Le Grand, 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 Golden State Freeway for about 94.8 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 47.2 and 286 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
47.2 mi into trip|~58m in|CA 99
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
88.2 mi into trip|~1h 42m in|CA 99 / Golden State Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99 / Golden State Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
151.9 mi into trip|~2h 50m in|CA 99 / Golden State Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99 / Golden State Freeway toward CA 99 South: Los Angeles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 99 South: Los Angeles
8
241.6 mi into trip|~4h 32m 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
286 mi into trip|~5h 24m 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
$69.80 one way
$139.59 round trip
$6.15/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.34
$72.00
$144.00
premium
$6.50
$73.78
$147.57
diesel
$6.28
$71.28
$142.57
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$70
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$95–$120
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.6
1
$30.29
$13.85
Efficient EV
72.1
0
$25.24
$11.54
EV Truck/SUV
115.4
1
$40.39
$18.46
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 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.
Forecast as of Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Le Grand, CA
Late night
in Le Grand on Sunday
Local time
3:35 AM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Mostly Clear
NW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 19 at 1:23AM PDT until October 20 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 18 at 12:31PM PDT until October 20 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Destination
Long Beach, CA
Late night
in Long Beach on Sunday
Local time
3:35 AM
PDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Clear
S 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 19 at 1:23AM PDT until October 20 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 18 at 12:31PM PDT until October 20 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard 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
10 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 29m 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.
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...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
Free
near mile 258.6
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 169.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 76% of the journey on major roads like the Golden State Freeway and CA 99. You'll encounter a highway-focused profile for most of the 288.5 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll navigate is 94.8 miles on the Golden State Freeway, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. While largely highway, the transition will eventually lead you toward the urban environment of Long Beach.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 94.8 mi on Golden State Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Golden State Freeway and CA 99. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 47.2 miles in near CA 99.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 288.5 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 47.2 miles (CA 99): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.2 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 151.9 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,859 ft33 ft
Total Climb
2,762 ft
Total Descent
2,981 ft
Highest Point
2,859 ft
~206 mi in
Elevation Range
2,826 ft
Notable High Points
2,859 ft at ~206 miles+1,160 ft prominence
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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 5h 29m. Total distance: 288.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 94.8 miles on Golden State Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 26 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 26 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 47.2 miles (CA 99): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.2 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 151.9 miles (CA 99 / Golden State 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 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 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.
