Origin
Pittsburg, CA
Night in Pittsburg on Saturday
Local time
9:18 PM
PDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Trip from Pittsburg, CA to Long Beach, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 26, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 13m
Distance
381.7 mi
614 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$87
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
19 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 3m
★
6 AM
7h 14m
8 AM
7h 35m
10 AM
7h 21m
12 PM
7h 19m
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.
Pittsburg, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Long Beach, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Pittsburg, CA to Long Beach, CA is 381.7 miles and takes about 7h 13m via Westside Freeway and I-5 Truck, with a fuel budget near $87 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within California, traversing the Pacific Coast region for its entirety. Given its mostly highway profile and single-day recommendation, it's a straightforward trip for those looking to cover ground efficiently. You'll be on the road for over seven hours, so plan for a full day of driving.
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
190.8 miles from Pittsburg, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 37m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 224.4 mi | 4h |
| I 5 Truck | 58.6 mi | 1h 7m |
| I 405 Truck | 23 mi | 26m |
| San Diego Freeway | 18 mi | 20m |
| CA 4 | 14.4 mi | 16m |
| William Elton Brown Freeway | 14 mi | 15m |
| Byron Highway | 5.1 mi | 7m |
| Golden State Freeway | 4.1 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 224.4 mi, about 4h
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 89 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~1,926 veh/hr typical · worst 2,652
Quietest
2 AM
~360 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 44 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pittsburg, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on East 10th Street
123 ft
·
9 sec
·
East 10th Street
2
Turn left onto Railroad Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Railroad Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left
0.6 mi
·
45 sec
Toward CA 4 East: Stockton
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto CA 4
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
CA 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 4
8.0 mi
·
9 min
·
CA 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on Vasco Road
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Vasco Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
7
Turn left onto Camino Diablo
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Camino Diablo
8
Turn right onto J4
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Byron Highway
9
Continue on J4
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Byron-Bethany Road
10
Continue on J4
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Byron Road
11
Turn right onto Mountain House Parkway
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Mountain House Parkway
Use the slight left lane.
12
Continue on International Parkway
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
International Parkway
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on Mountain House Parkway
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Mountain House Parkway
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
15
Merge onto I 580
8.1 mi
·
8 min
·
William Elton Brown Freeway
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
William Elton Brown Freeway
17
Merge onto I 5
224 mi
·
4 hr
·
Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
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.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
23 mi
·
26 min
·
I 405 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
18 mi
·
20 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
377 ft
·
9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long Beach
Use the slight right lane.
24
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
this road
Exit 32B
Toward I 710 South: Long Beach
25
Merge onto I 710
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on I 710
0.5 mi
·
40 sec
·
Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, Aquarium
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
28
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Shoreline Drive
29
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
30
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Ocean Boulevard
31
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
32
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
To maximize daylight and avoid the worst of traffic, aim to depart from Pittsburg early in the morning. With a drive time of just over seven hours and only two recommended stops, you can easily complete this trip in one day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the majority of the drive is on the highway where services can be spread out. The $87 fuel estimate should help you budget for gas along the way. Consider a quick stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs before the final push into Southern California.
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 190.8 miles from Pittsburg, CA, or about 3h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 224.4 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 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 190.8 miles or 3h 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 1m
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 Pittsburg, 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 Pittsburg, CA
This is one driving day of about 381.7 miles and 7h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 miles from Pittsburg, 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 224.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
191 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 190.8 miles from Pittsburg, 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 224.4 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 235 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 379.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.9 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Turn left toward CA 4 East: Stockton
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward CA 4 East: Stockton
6
7.9 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
CA 4
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 4
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
29.3 mi into trip
|
~40m in
|
Mountain House Parkway
Turn right onto Mountain House Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
8
334.8 mi into trip
|
~6h 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
7
379.2 mi into trip
|
~7h 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
$86.51 one way
$173.03 round trip
$5.76/gal
25.4 MPG avg
134 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.96 | $89.50 | $179.01 |
| premium | $6.09 | $91.55 | $183.10 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $81.19 | $162.39 |
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: 133.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
EV Charging Along Route
19 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
ChargePoint Charging Station
Valencia, California
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Valencia, California
Tesla
1 DCFC
EVgo Charging Station
Valencia, California
EVgo
1 DCFC
EVgo Charging Station
Valencia, California
EVgo
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Arvin, California
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Santa Clarita, CA
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Valencia, California
Tesla
1 DCFC
EVgo Charging Station
Valencia, California
EVgo
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 5
Tesla: 5
Electrify America: 4
EVgo: 3
Other: 1
EV Connect: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 114.5 | 1 | $40.08 | $18.32 |
| Efficient EV | 95.4 | 1 | $33.40 | $15.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 152.7 | 1 | $53.44 | $24.43 |
Gas CO2
134 kg
EV CO2
45 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
Night in Long Beach on Saturday
Local time
9:18 PM
PDT
Current temp
65°F
Chance Rain Showers
WSW 15 mph
49% chance
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.
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.
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
National Memorial
On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two s...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
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 342.2
View on nps.gov
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of American civilians on the WWII home front. Discover how diverse communities lived, worked, and interacted. Many faces, many stories, many truths...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
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
~70 min detour
Free
near mile 276.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 95% highway, meaning you'll spend almost the entire trip on major freeways. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 224.4 miles on the Westside Freeway. Expect dense urban merging as you approach the Los Angeles area. The transition from highway to surface roads will likely occur very late in the drive, close to your destination.
95% 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: 224.4 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 0.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 23 significant decision points across 381.7 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 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 7.9 miles (CA 4): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 29.3 miles (Mountain House Parkway): Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Pittsburg, CA
Full guide →Founded 1839
Pittsburg is a city of 76,000 people (2020) in the east part of Contra Costa County in the San Francisco Bay Area on the west edge of the San Francisco Bay Delta.
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).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 13m. Total distance: 381.7 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 224.4 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 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 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 7.9 miles (CA 4): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 29.3 miles (Mountain House Parkway): Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.5 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, NREL for EV charging, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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