Origin
Ridgecrest, CA
Late night in Ridgecrest on Tuesday
Local time
3:09 AM
PDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ridgecrest, 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
3h 31m
Distance
176.3 mi
284 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 19m
★
6 AM
3h 32m
8 AM
3h 56m
10 AM
3h 40m
12 PM
3h 38m
3 PM
3h 41m
5 PM
3h 55m
8 PM
3h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ridgecrest, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Long Beach, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 176.3-mile journey from Ridgecrest, CA to Long Beach, CA is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 31 minutes. You'll primarily navigate via the Antelope Valley Freeway, Aerospace Highway, and I-405 Truck, with 54% of the drive on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $41. Given its relatively short duration and mixed driving profile, it's well-suited for a single-day excursion rather than requiring an overnight stop. This drive effectively transitions you from the Pacific Coast region to another part of the Pacific Coast, offering a straightforward path south.
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
88.2 miles from Ridgecrest, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 48m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Antelope Valley Freeway | 49.1 mi | 54m |
| Aerospace Highway | 35.7 mi | 39m |
| I 405 Truck | 23 mi | 26m |
| San Diego Freeway | 18 mi | 20m |
| Redrock Randsburg Road | 12.1 mi | 16m |
| Blue Star Memorial Highway | 9.9 mi | 11m |
| Garlock Road | 8.4 mi | 12m |
| South China Lake Boulevard | 6 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
Antelope Valley Freeway
— 49.1 mi, about 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ridgecrest, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on West Ridgecrest Boulevard
268 ft
·
13 sec
·
West Ridgecrest Boulevard
2
Turn right onto US 395 BUS
6.0 mi
·
9 min
·
South China Lake Boulevard
3
Turn left onto US 395
9.9 mi
·
11 min
·
Blue Star Memorial Highway
4
Turn right onto Garlock Road
8.4 mi
·
12 min
·
Garlock Road
Use the right lane.
5
Continue on 797
12 mi
·
16 min
·
Redrock Randsburg Road
6
Continue on CA 14; US 6 Hist
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
Midland Trail
7
Continue on CA 14; US 6 Hist
20 mi
·
23 min
·
Aerospace Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
At end of road, turn left onto CA 14; CA 58 BUS; US 6 Hist
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Sierra Highway
Use the left lane.
9
Continue on CA 14
16 mi
·
16 min
·
Aerospace Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on CA 14; CA 138
48 mi
·
53 min
·
Antelope Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 14
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Antelope Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 5
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
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.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
23 mi
·
26 min
·
I 405 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
18 mi
·
20 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
377 ft
·
9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long Beach
Use the slight right lane.
18
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
this road
Exit 32B
Toward I 710 South: Long Beach
19
Merge onto I 710
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 710
0.5 mi
·
40 sec
·
Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, Aquarium
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
22
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Shoreline Drive
23
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
24
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Ocean Boulevard
25
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
26
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
For this 176.3-mile drive, starting early can help you avoid potential traffic as you approach the Long Beach area. With a total duration of about 3.5 hours, you can comfortably complete this trip in a single day. Plan for one main stop, perhaps midway, to stretch your legs and refuel if needed, especially since the longest stretch without a break is over 49 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $41, and ensure you have enough to reach your destination or a convenient service area. Given the relatively short distance, you have flexibility in your timing, but being aware of the highway share and the longest stretch is key to pacing yourself.
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 88.2 miles from Ridgecrest, CA, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.1 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 39 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.2 miles or 1h 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 2h 51m
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 Ridgecrest, 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 Ridgecrest, CA
This is one driving day of about 176.3 miles and 3h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Ridgecrest, 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 Antelope Valley Freeway for about 49.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
88 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 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 88.2 miles from Ridgecrest, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 175 decision points cluster between mile 56.8 and 173.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
56.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 13m in
|
CA 14; CA 58 BUS; US 6 Hist / Sierra Highway
At end of road, turn left onto CA 14; CA 58 BUS; US 6 Hist / Sierra Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
125.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 29m in
|
CA 14 / Antelope Valley Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 14 / Antelope Valley Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
126.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 30m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
129.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 34m 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
173.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 26m 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
$40.52 one way
$81.04 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
62 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $41.76 | $83.51 |
| premium | $6.18 | $42.87 | $85.75 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.92 | $77.85 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.9 | 0 | $18.51 | $8.46 |
| Efficient EV | 44.1 | 0 | $15.43 | $7.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 70.5 | 0 | $24.68 | $11.28 |
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Destination
Long Beach, CA
Late night in Long Beach on Tuesday
Local time
3:09 AM
PDT
Current temp
58°F
Partly Cloudy
NE 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 17 at 5:29AM PDT until April 17 at 2:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 17 at 5:29AM PDT until April 17 at 2:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard 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
17 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 31m 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...
18 mi from route
~44 min detour
Free
near mile 139.8
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...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 54.7
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 mixed drive on this route, characterized by stretches of open highway interspersed with other road types. With 54% of the trip on highways, you'll experience periods of consistent speed. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 49.1 miles on the Antelope Valley Freeway, providing a good opportunity to settle into a rhythm. As you progress, the road will likely shift between freeway conditions and potentially more varied road segments, keeping the driving experience dynamic rather than monotonous.
54% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 49.1 mi on Antelope Valley Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 56.8 miles in near CA 14; CA 58 BUS; US 6 Hist / Sierra Highway.
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 17 significant decision points across 176.3 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 56.8 miles (CA 14; CA 58 BUS; US 6 Hist / Sierra Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 125.4 miles (CA 14 / Antelope Valley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 126.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Ridgecrest, CA
Full guide →Ridgecrest is a city in Kern County in the Mojave Desert of California.
Top landmarks
- • Maturango Museum — museum in Ridgecrest, California
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 3h 31m. Total distance: 176.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 49.1 miles on Antelope Valley 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 56.8 miles (CA 14; CA 58 BUS; US 6 Hist / Sierra Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 125.4 miles (CA 14 / Antelope Valley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 126.3 miles: 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 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Long Beach, CA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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