Long Beach to Spring Valley is 112.2 miles and takes about 2h 22m via the San Diego Freeway, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive stays within California, connecting two points in the Pacific Coast region. It's a straightforward trip, primarily utilizing major freeways, making it a convenient option for a single-day journey. Expect a smooth ride with minimal detours, perfect if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
56.1 miles from Long Beach, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
San Diego Freeway
55.8 mi
1h 5m
San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
12.8 mi
14m
I 405
10.3 mi
11m
Jacob Dekema Freeway
10 mi
11m
Mission Valley Freeway
6 mi
6m
Corona Del Mar Freeway
4 mi
4m
East 7th Street
3.3 mi
7m
Spring Street
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
San Diego Freeway
— 55.8 mi, about 1h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Long Beach, CA and Spring Valley, CA.
1
Start on East Ocean Boulevard
31 ft·2 sec·East Ocean Boulevard
2
Turn right onto Long Beach Boulevard
423 ft·18 sec·Long Beach Boulevard
Use the right lane.
3
Turn right onto East 1st Street
0.4 mi·1 min·East 1st Street
4
At end of road, turn left onto Alamitos Avenue
0.2 mi·37 sec·Alamitos Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto East 3rd Street
1.0 mi·2 min·East 3rd Street
6
Turn sharp left onto Junipero Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Junipero Avenue
7
Turn right onto East 7th Street
3.3 mi·7 min·East 7th Street
8
Continue on CA 22
0.7 mi·1 min·Garden Grove Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto CA 22
0.7 mi·47 sec·CA 22
Toward I 405 South, CA 22 East
10
Merge onto I 405; CA 22
2.0 mi·2 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 405
0.2 mi·11 sec·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 405
10 mi·11 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 73
4.0 mi·4 min·Corona Del Mar Freeway
Exit 10Toward CA 73 South: San DiegoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 8: Beaches, El CentroUse the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 8 East: El Centro
24
Merge onto I 8
6.0 mi·6 min·Mission Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.4 mi·27 sec
Exit 13AToward Spring Street, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
26
Turn straight onto Spring Street
1.3 mi·2 min·Spring Street
Use the left lane.
27
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward CA 94 East: BroadwayUse the slight right lane.
28
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward CA 94 EastUse the straight lane.
29
Merge onto CA 94
1.0 mi·1 min·Martin Luther King Junior Freeway
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 10BToward Kenwood Drive, Casa De OroUse the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Turn right onto Kenwood Drive
0.5 mi·58 sec·Kenwood Drive
Use the right lane.
32
Turn right onto Helix Street
72 ft·3 sec·Helix Street
33
Arrive at destination
Helix Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 22 minutes, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of daylight and avoid potential rush hour traffic closer to your destination. With a fuel cost estimated at $15, you won't need to worry about frequent refueling stops. There are no specific rest stops noted, but you'll have ample flexibility to pull over as needed. Keep an eye on traffic reports, especially as you approach the greater San Diego area, as congestion can impact your travel time.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 56.1 miles from Long Beach, CA, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.8 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 25 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.1 miles or 1h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Spring Valley, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Long Beach, CA
This is one driving day of about 112.2 miles and 2h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Long Beach, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on San Diego Freeway for about 55.8 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 28
5 decision points cluster between mile 19.2 and 111.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
19.2 mi into trip|~30m in|CA 73 / Corona Del Mar Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 73 / Corona Del Mar Freeway toward CA 73 South: San Diego
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 10
Toward CA 73 South: San Diego
8
33.6 mi into trip|~46m in
Take the exit toward La Paz Road, Moulton Parkway
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.
Exit 3
Toward La Paz Road, Moulton Parkway
8
108.4 mi into trip|~2h 15m in
Take the exit toward Spring Street, Downtown
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 13A
Toward Spring Street, Downtown
8
110.4 mi into trip|~2h 18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CA 94 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward CA 94 East
8
111.5 mi into trip|~2h 20m in
Take the exit toward Kenwood Drive, Casa De Oro
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.
Exit 10B
Toward Kenwood Drive, Casa De Oro
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.79 one way
$51.58 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$26.57
$53.15
premium
$6.18
$27.29
$54.57
diesel
$5.61
$24.77
$49.54
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.7
0
$11.78
$5.39
Efficient EV
28.1
0
$9.82
$4.49
EV Truck/SUV
44.9
0
$15.71
$7.18
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 19, 2026
Origin
Long Beach, CA
Late night
in Long Beach on Tuesday
Local time
1:06 AM
PDT
Current temp
58°F
Cloudy
ENE 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Spring Valley, CA
Late night
in Spring Valley on Tuesday
Local time
1:06 AM
PDT
Current temp
56°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
2 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
2h 22m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
Cabrillo National Monument
National Monument
In 1542, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo climbed out of his boat and onto shore, becoming the first European to set foot on what is now the West Coast of the United States. Cabrillo National Monument not only...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
$20
near mile 100.6
Park Closure: Park Auditorium Closed Until Further Notice
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 79% of the drive on major freeways like the San Diego Freeway and I-405. You'll encounter stretches of fast-paced driving, particularly the longest uninterrupted segment of 55.8 miles on the San Diego Freeway. The character is largely one of consistent travel on well-maintained, multi-lane roads, designed for efficient transit. While it's a highway-focused experience, the San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor offers a slightly different feel as you navigate between major freeway systems.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55.8 mi on San Diego Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on San Diego Freeway and San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 19.2 miles in near CA 73 / Corona Del Mar Freeway.
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 28 significant decision points across 112.2 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 19.2 miles (CA 73 / Corona Del Mar Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
On the drive from Long Beach, CA to Spring Valley, CA, road signs begin pointing toward El Centro along the way.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 22m. Total distance: 112.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 55.8 miles on San Diego Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 11 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 Spring Valley, 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. There are 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 19.2 miles (CA 73 / Corona Del Mar Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Cabrillo National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Spring Valley, CA before heading back.
