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Trip from Long Beach, CA to Clay, CA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 26m

Distance

395.6 mi

637 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$91

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
7h 16m ★
6 AM
7h 26m
8 AM
7h 47m
10 AM
7h 33m
12 PM
7h 31m
3 PM
7h 34m
5 PM
7h 46m
8 PM
7h 20m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Los Angeles County, California, United States

Long Beach, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Clay, CA, CA

Clay, CA

Stephen Leonardi

Trip Overview

Long Beach, CA to Clay, CA is 395.6 miles and takes about 7h 26m via Westside Freeway, San Diego Freeway, and I 5 Truck, with a fuel budget near $91 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive stays within California, traversing the Pacific Coast region. You'll spend nearly all your time on major freeways, making it a straightforward, albeit long, single-day journey. If you're looking for a direct route with minimal detours, this is a solid option to get from point A to point B 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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

197.8 miles from Long Beach, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 43m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Westside Freeway 251.1 mi 4h 29m
San Diego Freeway 40.8 mi 47m
I 5 Truck 39.3 mi 45m
CA 99 23 mi 26m
Golden State Freeway 22.3 mi 25m
CA 104 9.2 mi 16m
Crosstown Freeway 2.5 mi 2m
Long Beach Freeway 2.3 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Westside Freeway — 251.1 mi, about 4h 29m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Long Beach, CA and Clay, CA.

1

Start on East Ocean Boulevard

0.7 mi · 2 min · East Ocean Boulevard
2

Turn right onto North Golden Avenue

414 ft · 6 sec · North Golden Avenue
3

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 18 sec
Toward I 710 North
4

Merge onto Shoreline Drive

0.5 mi · 47 sec · Shoreline Drive
5

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 31 sec
Toward I 710 North
6

Merge onto I 710

0.5 mi · 41 sec · Seaside Freeway
7

Continue on I 710

2.3 mi · 3 min · Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 10 sec
Toward I 405 North, I 405 South: Santa Monica, San Diego Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Toward I 405 North, I 710: Long Beach Freeway North, Santa Monica Use the straight lane.
10

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Toward I 405 North: Santa Monica Use the sharp right lane.
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Toward I 405 North: Santa Monica Use the straight lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Toward I 405 North Use the straight lane.
13

Merge onto I 405

41 mi · 47 min · San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Merge onto I 5 Truck

1.6 mi · 1 min · I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck

1.5 mi · 1 min · I 5 Truck
Exit 161A Toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck

36 mi · 41 min · I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

22 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

226 mi · 4 hr 1 min · Westside Freeway
Toward I 5 North Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

26 mi · 27 min · Westside Freeway
20

Take the exit onto CA 4

0.2 mi · 26 sec · CA 4
Toward CA 4 East: Downtown Stockton
21

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 4

0.4 mi · 57 sec · CA 4
22

Keep slight left at fork onto CA 4

0.2 mi · 30 sec · CA 4
23

Merge onto CA 4

2.5 mi · 2 min · Crosstown Freeway
24

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward CA 99 North
25

Merge onto CA 99

23 mi · 26 min · CA 99
26

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Toward CA 104 East: Jackson, Twin Cities Road
27

At end of road, turn left onto Stockton Boulevard

519 ft · 14 sec · Stockton Boulevard
28

Enter roundabout onto CA 104

6 ft · 0 sec · CA 104
29

Continue on CA 104

9.2 mi · 16 min · CA 104
30

Keep slight left at fork onto CA 104

66 ft · 1 sec · CA 104
31

Arrive at destination

CA 104

Trip Plan

Given the 7h 26m duration, starting early is recommended to avoid potential traffic, especially if departing from the Long Beach area. With only 2 planned stops, consider spacing them out to break up the drive; the longest uninterrupted stretch is 251.1 miles, so plan for a longer break around that mark. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the $91 estimated cost suggests consistent travel on well-serviced interstates, but it's always wise to top off when you see a good opportunity. This is a single-day trip, so you have the flexibility to adjust your pace as needed.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 197.8 miles from Long Beach, CA, or about 3h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 251.1 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 87 miles or 1h 43m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 197.8 miles or 3h 43m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 11m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clay, CA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Long Beach, 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.

+

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Long Beach, CA

This is one driving day of about 395.6 miles and 7h 26m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 87 miles from Long Beach, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 251.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Los Angeles County, California, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Santa Clarita, CA

198 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

Santa Clarita, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 87 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Mendota, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 197.8 miles from Long Beach, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 251.1 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Century City Mall Dining Terrace

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Los Angeles, California

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 28.3

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+13102773898

Visit website

Bubu's Restaurant

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Long Beach, California

2 mi

Century City Mall Dining Terrace

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 28.3

Los Angeles, California

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+13102773898

Visit website

Bubu's Restaurant

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Long Beach, California

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+15625347279

Visit website

Golden Bull Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $50 to $10 mile 28.3

Santa Monica, California

Hours: 4:30 pm–12 am

+13102300402

Visit website

Fisherman's Village

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 28.3

Marina Del Rey, California

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

Visit website

Capri Gelato & Coffee Bar

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour Moderately mile 28.3

Marina Del Rey, California

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+13103399706

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 197.8

Kettleman City, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 254.3

Firebaugh, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

EV Range Charging Station

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 197.8

Kettleman City, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18333872643

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 56.5

Valencia, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 56.5

Valencia, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 56.5

Valencia, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 254.3

Firebaugh, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18337484267

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 56.5

Valencia, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Harbor Breeze Whale Watching Cruises

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Long Beach, CA

Hours: 9 am–6 pm

+15624324900

Visit website

Aquarium of the Pacific

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Long Beach, California

Hours: 9 am–6 pm

+15625903100

Visit website

SoCal Whale Watching

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Long Beach, California

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+15624729514

Visit website

Los Virtuality - Virtual Reality Gaming Center

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 28.3

Los Angeles, California

Hours: 12–8 pm

+14243455068

Visit website

Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 56.5

Valencia, California

+16612554100

Visit website

Signal Hill Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Signal Hill, California

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+15629897300

Visit website

Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Long Beach, California

Hours: 5:30 am–12 pm

+15625703100

Visit website

UCLA Planetarium

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 28.3

Los Angeles, California

Hours: 7–8 pm

+13108254434

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 27

5 decision points cluster between mile 4.7 and 48.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
4.7 mi into trip | ~7m in

Take the exit toward I 405 North, I 405 South: Santa Monica, San Diego

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: Santa Monica,...
9
4.8 mi into trip | ~7m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 405 North, I 710: Long Beach Freeway North, Santa Monica

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight lane. Toward I 405 North, I 710: Long Beach Freeway N...
8
4.9 mi into trip | ~8m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 405 North: Santa Monica

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the sharp right lane. Toward I 405 North: Santa Monica
8
5.2 mi into trip | ~8m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 405 North: Santa Monica

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Toward I 405 North: Santa Monica
9
48.2 mi into trip | ~59m in | I 5 Truck

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 161A Toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$90.93 one way

$181.85 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 138 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $93.70 $187.40
premium $6.18 $96.21 $192.41
diesel $5.61 $87.34 $174.69

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$91

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$116–$141

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 138.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $42 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 118.7 1 $41.54 $18.99
Efficient EV 98.9 1 $34.62 $15.82
EV Truck/SUV 158.2 1 $55.38 $25.32

Gas CO2

138 kg

EV CO2

46 kg (67% 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 Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Long Beach, CA

Night in Long Beach on Saturday

Local time

9:34 PM

PDT

Current temp

59°F

Mostly Clear

E 5 to 15 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Clay, CA

Night in Clay on Saturday

Local time

9:34 PM

PDT

Current temp

49°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

10 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

7h 26m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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

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...

19 mi from route ~47 min detour Free near mile 40.9
View on nps.gov
César E. Chávez National Monument

César E. Chávez National Monument

National Monument

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...

27 mi from route ~66 min detour Free near mile 109.1
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 99% of it on major freeways like the Westside Freeway and San Diego Freeway. Expect a consistent driving experience for the majority of the trip, with a significant 251.1-mile stretch on the Westside Freeway. The character remains largely unchanged, offering a predictable and efficient journey rather than winding scenic byways. You'll be navigating California's extensive freeway system for the bulk of the 7h 26m drive.

99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 251.1 mi on Westside Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside 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 4.7 miles in.

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 27 significant decision points across 395.6 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 4.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Starting 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 7h 26m. Total distance: 395.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 26m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 251.1 miles on Westside 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 Clay, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 4.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.9 miles: 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 7.4 hours each way, a round trip means 14.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Clay, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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