Origin
Paradise, CA
Late night in Paradise on Tuesday
Local time
2:46 AM
PDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Paradise, CA to Long Beach, 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
9h 17m
Distance
493.8 mi
795 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$114
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
9h 9m
★
6 AM
9h 17m
8 AM
9h 34m
10 AM
9h 23m
12 PM
9h 22m
3 PM
9h 24m
5 PM
9h 33m
8 PM
9h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Paradise, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Long Beach, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This approximately 494-mile journey from Paradise, California to Long Beach, California will take about 9 hours and 17 minutes of pure driving time. Given the duration, it's best split over two days, with an estimated fuel cost of $114. The drive is heavily highway-focused, with 93% of the route on main roads like Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, making it a straightforward trip down the state. This route covers a significant portion of the Pacific Coast region, connecting two points within California.
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
246.9 miles from Paradise, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 40m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 303.7 mi | 5h 28m |
| I 5 Truck | 58.6 mi | 1h 7m |
| CA 70 | 51.2 mi | 1h |
| I 405 Truck | 23 mi | 26m |
| San Diego Freeway | 18 mi | 20m |
| Clark Road | 11.8 mi | 16m |
| Golden State Highway | 7.7 mi | 8m |
| Bernie Richter Memorial Highway | 4.9 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 303.7 mi, about 5h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Paradise, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on Elliott Road
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Elliott Road
2
Turn right onto Clark Road
8.3 mi
·
12 min
·
Clark Road
3
Continue on CA 191
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Clark Road
4
Turn right onto CA 70
21 mi
·
24 min
·
CA 70
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on CA 70
11 mi
·
12 min
·
CA 70
6
Continue on CA 70
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
CA 70
Use the straight lane.
7
Turn right onto 5th Street
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
5th Street
8
Turn left onto CA 70
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
E Street
9
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 70
18 mi
·
20 min
·
CA 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto CA 99
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Bernie Richter Memorial Highway
11
Continue on CA 99
7.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Golden State Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 5
66 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi
·
48 sec
·
Westside Freeway
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
237 mi
·
4 hr 13 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
·
I 5 Truck
Exit 158
Toward I 405 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
23 mi
·
26 min
·
I 405 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
18 mi
·
20 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
377 ft
·
9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long Beach
Use the slight right lane.
21
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
this road
Exit 32B
Toward I 710 South: Long Beach
22
Merge onto I 710
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 710
0.5 mi
·
40 sec
·
Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, Aquarium
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
25
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Shoreline Drive
26
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
27
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Ocean Boulevard
28
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
29
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
With a total duration of over 9 hours, planning for two days is highly recommended to avoid fatigue. Aim to start early on your first day to make the most of daylight. Factor in at least two planned stops for fuel and rest, especially considering the longest stretch of 303.7 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can sometimes be spaced out on long highway segments. Splitting the drive allows for a more relaxed pace and ensures you arrive in Long Beach refreshed.
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 246.9 miles from Paradise, CA, or about 4h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 303.7 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 109 miles or 2h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 246.9 miles or 4h 40m 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 246.9 miles or 4h 40m
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 4m
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 Paradise, 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 Paradise, CA
Aim for roughly 247 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Long Beach, CA
Aim for roughly 247 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 109 miles from Paradise, 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 303.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
247 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Turlock, CAOvernight Options
Night 1
247 mi · about 4.6h in
A practical overnight split lands near Turlock, CA after about 247 miles or 4.6 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 109 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 246.9 miles from Paradise, 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 303.7 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 247 miles or 4.6 hours on the road.
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 215 decision points cluster between mile 50.7 and 491.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
50.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
|
CA 70
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 70
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
148 mi into trip
|
~2h 54m in
|
I 5 / Westside Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Westside Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
384.6 mi into trip
|
~7h 8m 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.
8
447 mi into trip
|
~8h 20m 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
491.4 mi into trip
|
~9h 12m 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
$113.50 one way
$226.99 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
173 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $116.96 | $233.91 |
| premium | $6.18 | $120.09 | $240.17 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $109.02 | $218.05 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$114
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$244–$354
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 172.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $52 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 148.1 | 1 | $51.85 | $23.70 |
| Efficient EV | 123.5 | 1 | $43.21 | $19.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 197.5 | 2 | $69.13 | $31.60 |
Gas CO2
173 kg
EV CO2
58 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.
Destination
Long Beach, CA
Late night in Long Beach on Tuesday
Local time
2:46 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.
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
9 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 17m 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.
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
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 460.7
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...
30 mi from route
~74 min detour
Free
near mile 392.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, with 93% of the route utilizing major freeways. The primary roads include Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, and CA 70, indicating a consistent, high-speed experience. You'll encounter one long stretch of 303.7 miles on Westside Freeway, so be prepared for extended periods of uninterrupted driving. This profile suggests a route that prioritizes efficiency over winding scenic byways, keeping you moving steadily towards your destination.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 303.7 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 50.7 miles in near CA 70.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 493.8 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 50.7 miles (CA 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 148 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 384.6 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Paradise, CA
Full guide →Arriving 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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 303.7 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 247 miles on day one.
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 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 50.7 miles (CA 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 148 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 384.6 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.3 hours each way, a round trip means 18.6 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.
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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