Long Beach to Nice is 506.8 miles and takes about 9h 46m via Westside Freeway/San Diego Freeway/I 5 Truck, with a fuel budget near $115 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within California, connecting two points along the Pacific Coast. It's a long-haul drive, best suited for those who want to cover significant ground efficiently. Given the duration, you might consider breaking it into two days to make the most of your travel time and arrive feeling refreshed. The primary roads suggest a route that's largely freeway-based, making it a straightforward, albeit lengthy, trip.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
253.4 miles from Long Beach, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
225.6 mi
4h 1m
San Diego Freeway
40.8 mi
47m
I 5 Truck
39.3 mi
45m
Saint Helena Highway
28.6 mi
33m
Golden State Freeway
22.3 mi
25m
Main Street
22.1 mi
32m
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
19.6 mi
22m
William Elton Brown Freeway
17 mi
18m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 225.6 mi, about 4h 1m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 89 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~1,926 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,652
Quietest
2 AM
~360 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 44 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 Nice, 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 left at fork onto I 580
16 mi·17 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
Toward I 580 West: Tracy, San Francisco
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580 Bypass
1.1 mi·1 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
21
Merge onto I 580
18 mi·20 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
1.6 mi·1 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·16 sec
Exit 44BToward I 680 South, I 680 North: San Jose, Sacramento, Concord, Walnut CreekUse the slight right lane.
24
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·30 sec
Toward I 680 North: Walnut Creek, Concord, SacramentoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Merge onto I 680
15 mi·17 min·Donald D Doyle Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on I 680
5.0 mi·5 min·Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Toward I 680, CA 24Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 680
6.0 mi·6 min·Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Toward I 680 North: Martinez, SacramentoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 680
243 ft·3 sec·Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
29
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
1.8 mi·2 min·Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Use the slight right lane.
30
Keep slight left at fork onto I 780
6.7 mi·7 min·I 780
Toward I 780: BeniciaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: SacramentoUse the slight right lane.
32
Keep slight left at fork
448 ft·11 sec
Toward I 80 East: SacramentoUse the slight left lane.
33
Merge onto I 80
2.7 mi·3 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 33Toward CA 37: Napa, Novato, Auto Mall, Columbus ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward CA 37: NapaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Continue on CA 37
1.5 mi·1 min·CA 37
Toward CA 37Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 19Toward CA 29: Napa, Sonoma BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Turn right onto CA 29
1.6 mi·1 min·Sonoma Boulevard
Use the right lane.
39
Continue on CA 29
4.0 mi·4 min·Broadway Street
Use the straight lane.
40
Continue on CA 29
1.3 mi·1 min·Napa–Vallejo Highway
Use the left lane.
41
Continue on CA 12; CA 29
22 mi·25 min·Saint Helena Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Continue on CA 29; CA 128
2.4 mi·2 min·Main Street
43
Continue on CA 29; CA 128
6.8 mi·7 min·Saint Helena Highway
44
Turn right onto CA 29
1.0 mi·1 min·Lincoln Avenue
45
Continue on CA 29
16 mi·24 min·Lake County Highway
46
Turn left onto CA 175
20 mi·29 min·Main Street
47
Turn left onto CA 29; CA 175
17 mi·21 min·CA 29; CA 175
48
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward Nice, Lucerne Cutoff
49
Turn right onto Nice-Lucerne Cutoff Road
2.5 mi·3 min·Nice-Lucerne Cutoff Road
50
Enter roundabout onto CA 20
17 ft·0 sec·CA 20
51
Continue on CA 20
1.4 mi·2 min·CA 20
52
Arrive at destination
CA 20
Trip Plan
For this 506.8-mile trip, splitting it over two days is highly recommended to avoid fatigue. Aim to depart early in the morning on your first day to maximize daylight. Plan for approximately two stops to refuel and stretch your legs. Given the 9h 46m estimated drive time, a good halfway point would put you around the 4-5 hour mark. Watch for the transition from the I 5 Truck to other main roads as you get closer to Nice; pay attention to signage to ensure you're on the correct path. Your estimated fuel cost is around $115, so factor that into your budget.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 253.4 miles from Long Beach, CA, or about 4h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 225.6 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 111 miles or 2h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 253.4 miles or 4h 43m 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 253.4 miles or 4h 43m
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 8h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Nice, 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 253 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Nice, CA
Aim for roughly 253 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 111 miles from Long Beach, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 225.6 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 41
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.8 and 370.4 — 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...
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
9
370.4 mi into trip|~6h 50m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 680 North: Walnut Creek, Concord, Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 680 North: Walnut Creek, Concord, Sacr...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$114.87 one way
$229.74 round trip
$5.76/gal25.4 MPG avg177 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.96
$118.84
$237.68
premium
$6.09
$121.55
$243.10
diesel
$5.40
$107.80
$215.61
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$115
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$245–$355
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 177.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $53 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
152
1
$53.21
$24.33
Efficient EV
126.7
1
$44.35
$20.27
EV Truck/SUV
202.7
2
$70.95
$32.44
Gas CO2
177 kg
EV CO2
59 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 25, 2026
Origin
Long Beach, CA
Afternoon
in Long Beach on Saturday
Local time
2:51 PM
PDT
Current temp
57°F
Mostly Cloudy
WSW 5 to 10 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 24 at 6:10PM PDT until April 27 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 24 at 2:04PM PDT until April 26 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Destination
Nice, CA
Afternoon
in Nice on Saturday
Local time
2:51 PM
PDT
Current temp
43°F
Partly Cloudy then Patchy Fog
WNW 1 to 6 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 24 at 6:10PM PDT until April 27 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 24 at 2:04PM PDT until April 26 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
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
14 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
9h 46m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive involves 78% highway travel, meaning you'll be on freeways for most of the 506.8 miles. You'll encounter your longest stretch without a major road change at 225.6 miles on the Westside Freeway. Expect a consistent cruising speed for extended periods, punctuated by the need to navigate merging traffic and dense exits as you pass through various Californian locales. The transition from freeway to surface streets will occur as you near your destination.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
52 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 225.6 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 4.8 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 41 significant decision points across 506.8 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 4.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 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.
Between Long Beach, CA and Nice, CA, road signs point toward San Francisco, Sacramento, Concord, Walnut Creek, Novato and Auto Mall.
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 225.6 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 253 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 35 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 Nice, 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. There are 35 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 4.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.8 hours each way, a round trip means 19.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Nice, CA before the return drive.
