Long Beach to Los Altos is 376.3 miles and takes about 7h 10m via Westside Freeway/CA 152/San Diego Freeway, with a fuel budget near $85 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within California, connecting the Pacific Coast region from south to north. Expect a mostly highway experience, making it a straightforward drive. With only 2 recommended stops and a nearly 99% highway share, it's designed for efficient travel. This route is a good option if you need to get from Southern California to the Bay Area quickly.
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
188.1 miles from Long Beach, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
182.5 mi
3h 15m
CA 152
41.1 mi
51m
San Diego Freeway
40.8 mi
47m
I 5 Truck
39.3 mi
45m
Golden State Freeway
22.3 mi
25m
South Valley Freeway
19.9 mi
22m
CA 85
18.4 mi
21m
Foothill Expressway
3.6 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 182.5 mi, about 3h 15m
Traffic on I-405
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 168 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~7,798 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~723 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 43 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 Long Beach, CA and Los Altos, 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 DiegoUse 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 MonicaUse the straight lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I 405 North: Santa MonicaUse the sharp right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 405 North: Santa MonicaUse the straight lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 405 NorthUse 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 161AToward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 TruckUse 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
183 mi·3 hr 15 min·Westside Freeway
Toward I 5 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 403BToward CA 152 West: Gilroy, Hollister, San Jose
20
Continue on CA 152; CA33
29 mi·33 min·CA 152; CA33
Use the straight lane.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 152
12 mi·16 min·CA 152
22
Take the exit onto CA 152
0.5 mi·1 min·CA 152
Toward US 101 North: San Jose
23
Merge onto US 101; CA 152
20 mi·22 min·South Valley Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 85
18 mi·21 min·CA 85
Exit 377BToward CA 85 North: Cupertino, Mountain ViewUse the slight right lane.
25
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 19Toward I 280 North, I 280 South: San Jose, San FranciscoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 280 North: San Francisco
27
Merge onto I 280
0.1 mi·10 sec·Junipero Serra Freeway
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 13Toward Foothill Expressway, Grant RoadUse the slight right lane.
29
Keep slight right at fork
238 ft·5 sec
Toward G5: Foothill Expressway, Grant RoadUse the right lane.
30
Merge onto CR G5
3.6 mi·6 min·Foothill Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
31
Turn slight right onto South San Antonio Road
0.8 mi·1 min·South San Antonio Road
32
Arrive at destination
North San Antonio Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7h 10m drive, aim to leave Long Beach in the morning to avoid the worst of Southern California traffic. With only 2 stops suggested, you can be flexible with your timing, but consider a mid-drive break around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 182.5-mile stretch on the Westside Freeway, and plan your refueling accordingly. The $85 fuel estimate is based on current averages, so check prices as you go. Because this is a single-day route, you can easily adjust your schedule based on traffic or how you feel.
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 188.1 miles from Long Beach, CA, or about 3h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 182.5 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 83 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 188.1 miles or 3h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Los Altos, 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 376.3 miles and 7h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 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 182.5 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.8 and 371.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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...
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
9
351.9 mi into trip|~6h 37m in|CA 85
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 85 toward CA 85 North: Cupertino, Mountain View
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 377B
Toward CA 85 North: Cupertino, Mountain View
9
371.6 mi into trip|~7h 1m in
Take the exit toward Foothill Expressway, Grant Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 13
Toward Foothill Expressway, Grant Road
9
371.8 mi into trip|~7h 1m in
Keep slight right at fork toward G5: Foothill Expressway, Grant Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward G5: Foothill Expressway, Grant Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$78.73 one way
$157.45 round trip
$5.31/gal25.4 MPG avg132 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$81.76
$163.53
premium
$5.67
$83.93
$167.85
diesel
$4.80
$71.05
$142.11
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$79
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$104–$129
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 131.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
112.9
1
$39.51
$18.06
Efficient EV
94.1
1
$32.93
$15.05
EV Truck/SUV
150.5
1
$52.68
$24.08
Gas CO2
132 kg
EV CO2
44 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Long Beach, CA
Late night
in Long Beach on Tuesday
Local time
2:17 AM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Patchy Fog
SE 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 16 at 11:09PM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Destination
Los Altos, CA
Late night
in Los Altos on Tuesday
Local time
2:17 AM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Clear
WSW 6 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 16 at 11:09PM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
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
13 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 10m 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
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 38.9
Park Closure: Solstice Canyon Trail Weekday Closure for Repairs
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...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
Free
near mile 116.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely on freeways, with 99% of the 376.3 miles being highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 182.5 miles, likely on the Westside Freeway. You'll experience the typical characteristics of extended freeway travel, including merging and passing. The route transitions to surface roads only for a very small portion of the total distance.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 182.5 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and CA 152. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.8 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 376.3 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 4.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.2 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 351.9 miles (CA 85): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,840 ft33 ft
Total Climb
3,286 ft
Total Descent
3,162 ft
Highest Point
2,840 ft
~80.6 mi in
Elevation Range
2,808 ft
Notable High Points
2,840 ft at ~80.6 miles+1,504 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Long Beach, CA and Los Altos, CA, road signs point toward Hollister, San Jose and Mountain View.
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
Los Altos is in Santa Clara County, in the South Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area in California. The city means "The Heights" or "Foothills" in Spanish. It is mostly residential, but it does have several areas which could be considered 'business districts'.
Top landmarks
•Steve Jobs Garage — house in Los Altos, California
•Willard Griffin House and Carriage House — Carriage House in Los Altos, California, USA.
•Los Altos History Museum — museum in Los Altos, California
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 10m. Total distance: 376.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 10m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 182.5 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 Los Altos, 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 4.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.2 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 351.9 miles (CA 85): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Los Altos, CA before the return drive.
