This 410-mile drive from Rancho Cordova to Long Beach, California, is a solid day trip, clocking in at about 7 hours and 43 minutes of pure driving time. You'll be spending about 95% of your journey on major highways, making it a straightforward, highway-focused experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $94 and a plan for two stops, this route is designed for efficiency. Consider starting early to make the most of daylight and avoid potential evening traffic as you approach Southern California. This trip offers a direct path connecting two points within the Pacific Coast region.
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
205 miles from Rancho Cordova, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
250.2 mi
4h 28m
I 5 Truck
58.6 mi
1h 7m
South Sacramento Freeway
29.7 mi
34m
I 405 Truck
23 mi
26m
San Diego Freeway
18 mi
20m
Bradshaw Road
11.9 mi
17m
Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi
4m
Crosstown Freeway
2.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 250.2 mi, about 4h 28m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 97 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
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Rancho Cordova, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on Folsom Boulevard
474 ft·14 sec·Folsom Boulevard
2
Continue on Folsom Boulevard
2.2 mi·3 min·Folsom Boulevard
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto Bradshaw Road
9.3 mi·13 min·Bradshaw Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Enter roundabout onto Bradshaw Road
81 ft·1 sec·Bradshaw Road
5
Continue on Bradshaw Road
2.6 mi·3 min·Bradshaw Road
Use the left / uturn lanes.
6
Turn right onto E2
2.2 mi·3 min·Grant Line Road
Use the right lane.
7
Continue on E2
0.1 mi·10 sec·Kammerer Road
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
9
Merge onto CA 99
30 mi·34 min·South Sacramento Freeway
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward CA 4
11
Merge onto CA 4
2.4 mi·2 min·Crosstown Freeway
12
Take the exit onto CA 4
0.4 mi·50 sec·CA 4
Toward I 5: Sacramento
13
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 4
0.7 mi·1 min·CA 4
Toward I 5 South
14
Merge onto I 5; CA 4
13 mi·14 min·Westside Freeway
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi·48 sec·Westside Freeway
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
237 mi·4 hr 13 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
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.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
23 mi·26 min·I 405 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
18 mi·20 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
377 ft·9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long BeachUse the slight right lane.
23
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·39 sec·this road
Exit 32BToward I 710 South: Long Beach
24
Merge onto I 710
2.4 mi·3 min·Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 710
0.5 mi·40 sec·Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, AquariumUse the slight left / straight lanes.
27
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·Shoreline Drive
28
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
0.2 mi·30 sec·South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
29
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·West Ocean Boulevard
30
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
0.1 mi·21 sec·East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
31
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
For this 7-hour, 43-minute drive, an early morning departure from Rancho Cordova is your best bet to maximize your time and potentially beat some traffic. With only two planned stops and a 95% highway share, you can maintain a good pace. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 250.2-mile stretch on the Westside Freeway, as services can be spaced out. The $94 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a buffer. Since this is a manageable single-day drive, you have the flexibility to adjust your stop timing based on your needs.
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 205 miles from Rancho Cordova, CA, or about 3h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 250.2 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 90 miles or 1h 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 205 miles or 3h 51m 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 30m
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 Rancho Cordova, 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 Rancho Cordova, CA
This is one driving day of about 410 miles and 7h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 90 miles from Rancho Cordova, 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 250.2 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 64.1 and 407.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
64.1 mi into trip|~1h 20m 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
300.7 mi into trip|~5h 34m 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
359.1 mi into trip|~6h 41m 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
363.1 mi into trip|~6h 45m 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
407.6 mi into trip|~7h 37m 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
$85.78 one way
$171.55 round trip
$5.31/gal25.4 MPG avg144 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$89.09
$178.17
premium
$5.67
$91.44
$182.89
diesel
$4.80
$77.42
$154.83
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$86
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$111–$136
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 143.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
123
1
$43.05
$19.68
Efficient EV
102.5
1
$35.88
$16.40
EV Truck/SUV
164
2
$57.40
$26.24
Gas CO2
143 kg
EV CO2
48 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Rancho Cordova, CA
Morning
in Rancho Cordova on Sunday
Local time
10:16 AM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Mostly Clear
S 5 to 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 16 at 1:29PM PDT until July 16 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 16 at 1:29PM PDT until July 16 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Destination
Long Beach, CA
Morning
in Long Beach on Sunday
Local time
10:16 AM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Patchy Fog
SSE 5 to 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 16 at 1:29PM PDT until July 16 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 16 at 1:29PM PDT until July 16 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 43m 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.
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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 381.7
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
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 296.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a primarily highway-focused drive on this 410-mile journey. You'll be on the Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, and South Sacramento Freeway for the vast majority of the trip. The profile is overwhelmingly highway, with 95% of the route utilizing these faster thoroughfares. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 250.2 miles on the Westside Freeway, so be prepared for sustained driving. This route offers a consistent driving experience, ideal for covering distance efficiently.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 250.2 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 64.1 miles in near I 5 / Westside 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 26 significant decision points across 410 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 64.1 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 300.7 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 359.1 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 7h 43m. Total distance: 410 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 43m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 250.2 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 34 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 34 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 64.1 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 300.7 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 359.1 miles (I 5 / 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 7.7 hours each way, a round trip means 15.4 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.
