This 287.8-mile drive from Oakhurst, CA to Long Beach, CA is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in about 5 hours and 35 minutes. It's an ideal one-day trip, so you won't need to worry about booking overnight stays. The estimated fuel cost is around $67, making it an economical option for a longer California drive. You'll primarily be on the Golden State Freeway and CA 99 for most of your trip, so expect a steady pace. This route takes you from the Pacific Coast region down to another part of the Pacific Coast, traversing a good portion of the state.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
143.9 miles from Oakhurst, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Golden State Freeway
94.8 mi
1h 47m
Golden State Highway
58.6 mi
1h 2m
CA 99
39.6 mi
42m
Southern Yosemite Highway
35.8 mi
49m
I 405 Truck
23 mi
26m
San Diego Freeway
18 mi
20m
Dwight David Eisenhower Memorial Freeway
7.2 mi
8m
Yosemite Freeway
3.7 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Golden State Freeway
— 94.8 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oakhurst, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on Chapel Hill Drive
96 ft·8 sec·Chapel Hill Drive
2
Turn left onto Road 425B
161 ft·7 sec·Road 425B
3
Continue on 426
0.4 mi·1 min·Road 426
4
Turn left onto CA 41
36 mi·49 min·Southern Yosemite Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on CA 41
2.6 mi·3 min·Yosemite Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on CA 41
7.2 mi·8 min·Dwight David Eisenhower Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on CA 41
1.1 mi·1 min·Yosemite Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 126AToward CA 99 South: Bakersfield, Los AngelesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto CA 99
40 mi·42 min·CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
59 mi·1 hr 2 min·Golden State Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on CA 99
5.2 mi·5 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
27 mi·30 min·Golden State Freeway
Toward CA 99 South: Los AngelesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
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.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
23 mi·26 min·I 405 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
18 mi·20 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
377 ft·9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long BeachUse the slight right lane.
19
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·39 sec·this road
Exit 32BToward I 710 South: Long Beach
20
Merge onto I 710
2.4 mi·3 min·Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 710
0.5 mi·40 sec·Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, AquariumUse the slight left / straight lanes.
23
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·Shoreline Drive
24
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
0.2 mi·30 sec·South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
25
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·West Ocean Boulevard
26
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
0.1 mi·21 sec·East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
27
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour and 35-minute duration, starting your drive from Oakhurst early in the morning will help you avoid potential traffic as you approach Long Beach. While there's only one recommended stop, you'll have plenty of flexibility on this one-day trip to pull over as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels; the longest stretch without a significant change in road is nearly 95 miles. A key consideration for this route is understanding that the Golden State Freeway can see significant traffic, especially during peak commuting hours in Southern California, so factor that into your timing.
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 143.9 miles from Oakhurst, CA, or about 2h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.8 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 63 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.9 miles or 2h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 32m
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 Oakhurst, 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 Oakhurst, CA
This is one driving day of about 287.8 miles and 5h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Oakhurst, 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 Golden State Freeway for about 94.8 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 285.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|CA 41 / Southern Yosemite Highway
Turn left onto CA 41 / Southern Yosemite Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
47.2 mi into trip|~1h 3m in
Take the exit toward CA 99 South: Bakersfield, Los Angeles
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 126A
Toward CA 99 South: Bakersfield, Los Angeles
7
151.3 mi into trip|~2h 56m in|CA 99 / Golden State Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99 / Golden State Freeway toward CA 99 South: Los Angeles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 99 South: Los Angeles
8
240.9 mi into trip|~4h 37m 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
7
285.4 mi into trip|~5h 29m 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
$66.15 one way
$132.30 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$68.17
$136.33
premium
$6.18
$69.99
$139.98
diesel
$5.61
$63.54
$127.09
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$66
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$91–$116
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.3
1
$30.22
$13.81
Efficient EV
72
0
$25.18
$11.51
EV Truck/SUV
115.1
1
$40.29
$18.42
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (66% 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 20, 2026
Origin
Oakhurst, CA
Late night
in Oakhurst on Tuesday
Local time
2:08 AM
PDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Long Beach, CA
Late night
in Long Beach on Tuesday
Local time
2:08 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
10 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
5h 35m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 258
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 168.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 66% of this route being highway, you're looking at a predominantly fast-paced drive. You'll experience a longest uninterrupted stretch of 94.8 miles on the Golden State Freeway, so settling in for some miles of consistent travel is part of the experience. The profile is described as 'Highway-focused,' suggesting that while there may be some transitions, the main character is one of efficient travel. Expect a consistent driving environment for the majority of your journey, allowing for a predictable and often swift progress.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 94.8 mi on Golden State Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Golden State Freeway and Golden State Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near CA 41 / Southern Yosemite Highway.
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 18 significant decision points across 287.8 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 0.4 miles (CA 41 / Southern Yosemite Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 47.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151.3 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,833 ft33 ft
Total Climb
2,689 ft
Total Descent
4,928 ft
Highest Point
2,833 ft
~205.6 mi in
Elevation Range
2,800 ft
Notable High Points
2,833 ft at ~205.6 miles+1,064 ft prominence
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 Oakhurst, CA to Long Beach, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Los Angeles along the way.
Oakhurst is a settlement of 2,800 people (2010) in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range of California. It is 14 mi (23 km) south of the entrance to Yosemite National Park.
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 5h 35m. Total distance: 287.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 94.8 miles on Golden State 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (CA 41 / Southern Yosemite Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 47.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151.3 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Long Beach, CA before the return drive.
