Origin
Long Beach, CA
Late night in Long Beach on Tuesday
Local time
3:45 AM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Long Beach, CA to Palo Alto, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 13m
Distance
379.6 mi
611 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$87
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 2m
★
6 AM
7h 13m
8 AM
7h 35m
10 AM
7h 21m
12 PM
7h 18m
3 PM
7h 22m
5 PM
7h 34m
8 PM
7h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Long Beach, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Palo Alto, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Long Beach to Palo Alto is 379.6 miles and takes about 7h 13m via Westside Freeway and CA 152, with a fuel budget near $87 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays on major highways, making it a straightforward journey between Southern and Northern California. You'll be on the road for over 7 hours, so be prepared for a full day of driving. The route is almost entirely highway, so expect consistent speeds and minimal slowdowns. It's a practical option if you need to get from the Pacific Coast region of Southern California to the Pacific Coast region of Northern California 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
189.8 miles from Long Beach, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 35m 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 |
| US 101 | 25.6 mi | 29m |
| Golden State Freeway | 22.3 mi | 25m |
| South Valley Freeway | 19.9 mi | 22m |
| Long Beach Freeway | 2.3 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 182.5 mi, about 3h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Long Beach, CA and Palo Alto, 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
183 mi
·
3 hr 15 min
·
Westside Freeway
Toward I 5 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 403B
Toward 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 left at fork onto US 101
22 mi
·
25 min
·
US 101
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto US 101
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
US 101
Use the slight left lane.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 402
Toward Embarcadero Road, Oregon Expressway, Stanford University
Use the slight right lane.
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward Stanford University, Embarcadero Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward US 101 North: Stanford University, Embarcadero Road West, San Francisco
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward Stanford University, Embarcadero Road West
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Continue on Embarcadero Road
1.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Embarcadero Road
Use the straight lane.
31
Turn sharp left onto Middlefield Road
98 ft
·
3 sec
·
Middlefield Road
Use the left lane.
32
Arrive at destination
Middlefield Road
Trip Plan
Given the 7h 13m duration, starting early is recommended to maximize daylight and allow for a comfortable pace. With only 2 planned stops, consider using them strategically for fuel and a break, especially before the longest stretch of 182.5 miles. The fuel cost is estimated at $87, so ensure your tank is full before departing Long Beach. This is a single-day trip, so you have flexibility; however, planning your departure time around potential traffic, particularly leaving the Los Angeles area, will make your drive smoother.
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 189.8 miles from Long Beach, CA, or about 3h 35m 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 84 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 189.8 miles or 3h 35m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Palo Alto, 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 379.6 miles and 7h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
190 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 84 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 189.8 miles from Long Beach, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 182.5 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 275 decision points cluster between mile 4.8 and 378.1 — 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
377.8 mi into trip
|
~7h 7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Stanford University, Embarcadero Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Stanford University, Embarcadero Road
9
378 mi into trip
|
~7h 8m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 101 North: Stanford University, Embarcadero Road West, San Francisco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 101 North: Stanford University, Embar...
9
378.1 mi into trip
|
~7h 8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Stanford University, Embarcadero Road West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward Stanford University, Embarcadero Road We...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$87.25 one way
$174.50 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
133 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $89.91 | $179.82 |
| premium | $6.18 | $92.31 | $184.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $83.81 | $167.62 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$87
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$112–$137
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 132.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 113.9 | 1 | $39.86 | $18.22 |
| Efficient EV | 94.9 | 1 | $33.22 | $15.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 151.8 | 1 | $53.14 | $24.29 |
Gas CO2
133 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.
Destination
Palo Alto, CA
Late night in Palo Alto on Tuesday
Local time
3:45 AM
PDT
Current temp
50°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
6 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 13m 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 39.3
View on nps.gov
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...
28 mi from route
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 104.7
View on nps.gov
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park celebrates America’s maritime heritage on the Pacific Coast. Our 50-acre park has grown around Aquatic Park Cove, a protected area...
30 mi from route
~74 min detour
Free
near mile 379.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 99% of the route utilizing major freeways. You'll experience long stretches of consistent driving, including an uninterrupted segment of 182.5 miles on the Westside Freeway. The primary roads include the Westside Freeway, CA 152, and the San Diego Freeway, all of which are designed for higher speeds and steady progress. Expect a predictable driving experience with minimal scenic detours, focusing on covering distance effectively.
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 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 379.6 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 4.8 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 377.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Between Long Beach, CA and Palo Alto, CA, road signs point toward Hollister and San Jose.
Hollister
290.7 mi in
|
~5h 23m
San Jose
290.7 mi in
|
~5h 23m
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
Arriving in Palo Alto, CA
Full guide →Founded 1894
Top landmarks
- • HP Garage — founding site of the company Hewlett-Packard, "birthplace of Silicon Valley"
- • Hanna–Honeycomb House — historic house in California, United States
- • Palo Alto station — railway station in Palo Alto, 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 13m. Total distance: 379.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 13m 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 Palo Alto, 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 377.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, César E. Chávez National Monument and San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. 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 14.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Palo Alto, 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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