Long Beach to McKinleyville is 707.3 miles and takes about 13h 12m via Westside Freeway, with a fuel budget near $157 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a long-haul drive that spans the length of California, moving from the Pacific Coast region near Los Angeles up to the northern Pacific Coast. While it's possible to complete in one day, it's a significant amount of time behind the wheel, so consider breaking it up over two days for a more relaxed experience. You'll primarily be on freeways, making for efficient travel.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
353.6 miles from Long Beach, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 6h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
425.9 mi
7h 39m
CA 299
109.8 mi
2h 9m
San Diego Freeway
40.8 mi
47m
I 5 Truck
39.3 mi
45m
Cascade Wonderland Highway
31.6 mi
34m
Eureka Way
25 mi
29m
Golden State Freeway
22.3 mi
25m
Long Beach Freeway
2.3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 425.9 mi, about 7h 39m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 570 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,786 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,699
Quietest
2 AM
~372 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 96 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 McKinleyville, 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
226 mi·4 hr 1 min·Westside Freeway
Toward I 5 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
26 mi·27 min·Westside Freeway
20
Keep left at fork onto I 5
54 mi·59 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
121 mi·2 hr 10 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 5
32 mi·34 min·Cascade Wonderland Highway
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Exit 678Toward CA 44: Eureka, Susanville
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 678Toward CA 44 West: Eureka, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
25
Merge onto CA 44
1.2 mi·1 min·CA 44
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn right onto CA 44; CA 273; US 99 Hist
489 ft·17 sec·Pine Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Turn left onto CA 44; CA 273; US 99 Hist
25 mi·29 min·Eureka Way
Use the left lane.
28
Continue on CA 299
110 mi·2 hr 9 min·CA 299
29
Take the exit onto 2
0.6 mi·1 min·2
30
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 200
1.8 mi·3 min·North Bank Road
31
Turn right onto US 101 BUS
2.0 mi·4 min·Central Avenue
Use the straight lane.
32
Turn right
87 ft·8 sec
Use the straight / right lanes.
33
Turn right
55 ft·9 sec
Use the straight / right lanes.
34
Turn left
12 ft·0 sec
35
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 13-hour drive time, it's highly recommended to split this trip over two days. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight hours for driving. The longest stretch without a significant break is over 425 miles, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, perhaps around the 200-250 mile mark. Budgeting around $157 for fuel is a good estimate, but check current prices. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move away from major metropolitan areas.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 353.6 miles from Long Beach, CA, or about 6h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 425.9 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 156 miles or 2h 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 353.6 miles or 6h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 353.6 miles or 6h 30m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 11h 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near McKinleyville, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Long Beach, CA
Aim for roughly 354 miles and 6.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into McKinleyville, CA
Aim for roughly 354 miles and 6.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 156 miles from Long Beach, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 425.9 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 30
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
$171.12 one way
$342.23 round trip
$6.15/gal25.4 MPG avg248 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.34
$176.52
$353.04
premium
$6.50
$180.89
$361.78
diesel
$6.28
$174.76
$349.53
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$171
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$301–$411
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 247.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $74 in charging
· 2 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
212.2
2
$74.27
$33.95
Efficient EV
176.8
2
$61.89
$28.29
EV Truck/SUV
282.9
3
$99.02
$45.27
Gas CO2
247 kg
EV CO2
83 kg (66% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 22, 2026
Origin
Long Beach, CA
Afternoon
in Long Beach on Friday
Local time
12:49 PM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 10 to 15 mph53% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 22 at 1:02PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 22 at 12:59PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Destination
McKinleyville, CA
Afternoon
in McKinleyville on Friday
Local time
12:49 PM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Patchy Fog
WNW 5 to 8 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 22 at 1:02PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 22 at 12:59PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
48°F
Woodlake, CA
233 mi in
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
15 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
13h 12m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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.
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Whiskeytown Lake’s crystal-clear waters are iconic, but this 42,000-acre National Recreation Area offers much more. Explore waterfalls, hike rugged trails, uncover Gold Rush history, and witness the r...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
$15
near mile 585.3
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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 24.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is largely freeway cruising, with 91% of the route on highways. You'll encounter a long stretch of 425.9 miles on the Westside Freeway, which suggests extended periods of consistent speed. The remaining portion of your drive will transition to surface roads, with CA 299 being a key segment of this change. Expect to merge with urban traffic early on and then transition to more open cruising as you head north.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 425.9 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 299. 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 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 30 significant decision points across 707.3 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 4.7 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.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,292 ft20 ft
Total Climb
4,252 ft
Total Descent
4,143 ft
Highest Point
2,292 ft
~101 mi in
Elevation Range
2,272 ft
Notable High Points
2,292 ft at ~101 miles+670 ft prominence
1,687 ft at ~606.2 miles+903 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 McKinleyville, CA, road signs point toward Susanville and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area.
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
The longest stretch is about 425.9 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 354 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 62 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 McKinleyville, 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 3 meaningful breaks. There are 62 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 — Whiskeytown National Recreation Area and Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 13.2 hours each way, a round trip means 26.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at McKinleyville, CA before the return drive.
