This 168.6-mile drive from Lost Hills, CA to Long Beach, CA is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day, with an estimated duration of 3 hours and 13 minutes. You'll spend 97% of your time on major freeways, making it a practical option for a quick trip between these two Pacific Coast locations. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $39. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 58.6 miles on I 5 Truck, this route is designed for efficient travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
84.3 miles from Lost Hills, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5 Truck
58.6 mi
1h 7m
Westside Freeway
56.8 mi
1h
I 405 Truck
23 mi
26m
San Diego Freeway
18 mi
20m
Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi
4m
Long Beach Freeway
2.4 mi
3m
Paso Robles Highway
2.1 mi
3m
Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 5 Truck
— 58.6 mi, about 1h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lost Hills, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on this road
26 ft·4 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Farnsworth Avenue
112 ft·12 sec·Farnsworth Avenue
3
Turn left onto CA 46
2.1 mi·3 min·Paso Robles Highway
4
Take the exit
0.4 mi·24 sec
5
Merge onto I 5
57 mi·1 hr·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
0.3 mi·17 sec·I 5 Truck
Exit 158Toward I 405 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
23 mi·26 min·I 405 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
18 mi·20 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
377 ft·9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long BeachUse the slight right lane.
12
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·39 sec·this road
Exit 32BToward I 710 South: Long Beach
13
Merge onto I 710
2.4 mi·3 min·Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 710
0.5 mi·40 sec·Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, AquariumUse the slight left / straight lanes.
16
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·Shoreline Drive
17
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
0.2 mi·30 sec·South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
18
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·West Ocean Boulevard
19
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
0.1 mi·21 sec·East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
20
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 13-minute duration, this drive is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave early to avoid potential traffic congestion as you approach the Long Beach area. With only one recommended stop for the entire 168.6 miles, plan your fuel and rest breaks strategically before you begin. The longest stretch without a major exit is 58.6 miles on I 5 Truck, so ensure your vehicle is fueled and you've taken a break before embarking on that segment.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 84.3 miles from Lost Hills, CA, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.6 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 37 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.3 miles or 1h 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 2h 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Long Beach, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lost Hills, 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 Lost Hills, CA
This is one driving day of about 168.6 miles and 3h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Lost Hills, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 5 Truck for about 58.6 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 59.3 and 166.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
59.3 mi into trip|~1h 4m in|I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
117.7 mi into trip|~2h 11m in|I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
121.7 mi into trip|~2h 16m in|I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 405 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 158
Toward I 405 South
6
122 mi into trip|~2h 16m in|I 405 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
166.2 mi into trip|~3h 8m in
Take the exit toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, Aquarium
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center,...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.75 one way
$77.50 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$39.93
$79.87
premium
$6.18
$41.00
$82.00
diesel
$5.61
$37.22
$74.45
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.6
0
$17.70
$8.09
Efficient EV
42.2
0
$14.75
$6.74
EV Truck/SUV
67.4
0
$23.60
$10.79
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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
Lost Hills, CA
Late night
in Lost Hills on Tuesday
Local time
5:14 AM
PDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Long Beach, CA
Late night
in Long Beach on Tuesday
Local time
5:14 AM
PDT
Current temp
58°F
Cloudy
ENE 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive 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
16 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
3h 13m 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.
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...
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 133.7
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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 58.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 97% of the 168.6 miles taking place on major freeways like I 5 Truck and I 405 Truck. This means you'll be experiencing a fairly consistent pace for most of the journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 58.6 miles on I 5 Truck, so be prepared for a sustained period of highway driving. The character of the road is primarily that of efficient, high-speed transit, connecting you directly from the Pacific Coast region north of Los Angeles to its southern urban center.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 58.6 mi on I 5 Truck.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 Truck and Westside Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 59.3 miles in near I 5 Truck.
Driving Effort9/10
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 16 significant decision points across 168.6 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 59.3 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 117.7 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 121.7 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Lost Hills is a town in Kern County in the San Joaquin Valley of California, United States. Located near Interstate 5, it is one of a few places on this part of the freeway that have gas, food or lodging.
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 3h 13m. Total distance: 168.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 58.6 miles on I 5 Truck. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 18 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 Long Beach, 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 59.3 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 117.7 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 121.7 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Long Beach, CA, but most travelers stay overnight.
