Origin
Lompoc, CA
Morning in Lompoc on Sunday
Local time
8:48 AM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lompoc, 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
3h 24m
Distance
169.4 mi
273 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 12m
★
6 AM
3h 24m
8 AM
3h 48m
10 AM
3h 33m
12 PM
3h 30m
3 PM
3h 34m
5 PM
3h 47m
8 PM
3h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lompoc, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Long Beach, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Lompoc to Long Beach is 169.4 miles and takes about 3 hours 24 minutes via the Ventura Freeway, El Camino Real, and San Diego Freeway, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route hugs the Pacific Coast, transitioning from the Central Coast region to Southern California. Expect a mixed drive with stretches of freeway and some local road navigation. It's a manageable one-day trip, perfect if you're looking for a relatively straightforward drive down the California coast without significant detours.
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
84.7 miles from Lompoc, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 42m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ventura Freeway | 65.2 mi | 1h 15m |
| El Camino Real | 47.2 mi | 55m |
| San Diego Freeway | 31.3 mi | 36m |
| San Julian Road | 16.3 mi | 22m |
| Long Beach Freeway | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Cabrillo Highway | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| East Ocean Avenue | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Shoreline Drive | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Ventura Freeway
— 65.2 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lompoc, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on CA 1
45 ft
·
2 sec
·
North H Street
2
Turn left onto CA 1; CA 246
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
East Ocean Avenue
3
Turn right onto CA 1
16 mi
·
22 min
·
San Julian Road
4
Continue on CA 1
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Cabrillo Highway
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
6
Merge onto US 101
47 mi
·
55 min
·
El Camino Real
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on US 101
65 mi
·
1 hr 15 min
·
Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward I 405 North, I 405 South: Sacramento, Santa Monica
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 405 South: San Diego Freeway, Santa Monica
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Toward I 405 South: San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 405
13 mi
·
15 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
18 mi
·
20 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
377 ft
·
9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long Beach
Use the slight right lane.
14
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
this road
Exit 32B
Toward I 710 South: Long Beach
15
Merge onto I 710
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 710
0.5 mi
·
40 sec
·
Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, Aquarium
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
18
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Shoreline Drive
19
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
20
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Ocean Boulevard
21
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
22
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour 24-minute duration, this trip is easily completed in a single day. To make the most of it, consider leaving Lompoc in the morning to avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you get closer to Long Beach. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $39, you have flexibility. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, particularly before embarking on the 65.2-mile stretch on the Ventura Freeway, as services can be spaced out.
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 84.7 miles from Lompoc, CA, or about 1h 42m 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 37 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.7 miles or 1h 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 2h 45m
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 Lompoc, 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 Lompoc, CA
This is one driving day of about 169.4 miles and 3h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Lompoc, 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
85 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 84.7 miles from Lompoc, 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 155 decision points cluster between mile 131.9 and 167 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
131.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 37m 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
132 mi into trip
|
~2h 37m 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
132.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 38m 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
6
145.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 53m in
|
I 405 / San Diego Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 / San Diego Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
167 mi into trip
|
~3h 19m 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
$38.94 one way
$77.87 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $40.12 | $80.24 |
| premium | $6.18 | $41.20 | $82.39 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.40 | $74.80 |
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: 59.3 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 | 50.8 | 0 | $17.79 | $8.13 |
| Efficient EV | 42.4 | 0 | $14.82 | $6.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67.8 | 0 | $23.72 | $10.84 |
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
Morning in Long Beach on Sunday
Local time
8:48 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
5 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 24m 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 is a mixed bag, with 59% of the route on highways. You'll spend a significant portion on the Ventura Freeway, experiencing a 65.2-mile stretch without needing to exit. As you progress south, the drive will involve sections of El Camino Real and the San Diego Freeway, offering a blend of faster highway travel and more developed local road environments. The character shifts from open coastal freeway to more urbanized freeway driving as you approach the Los Angeles area.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 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?
9/10
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 131.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 15 significant decision points across 169.4 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 131.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132.3 miles: 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 Lompoc, CA to Long Beach, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Santa Monica along the way.
Santa Monica
131.9 mi in
|
~2h 37m
About the Cities
Starting in Lompoc, CA
Full guide →Founded 1888
Lompoc (pronounced LOM-pohk) is in Santa Barbara County, California, USA. It is called the "City of Arts and Flowers". More than half the world's flower seeds are grown in the fields around Lompoc. In 2021, it was home to 44,000 people.
Top landmarks
- • La Purisima Mission — place in California listed on National Register of Historic Places
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 24m. Total distance: 169.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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.
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 131.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 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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