This 426.8-mile drive from Roseville, CA to Long Beach, CA is a substantial undertaking, estimated to take about 7 hours and 55 minutes of pure driving time. It's a highway-focused route, with 97% of it on major interstates like the Westside Freeway and I-5 Truck. Given the duration, it's feasible as a single-day trip, but be prepared for a full day behind the wheel. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $98. This route keeps you within the Pacific Coast region for its entirety, offering a direct path from Northern California to Southern California.
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
213.4 miles from Roseville, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
296.3 mi
5h 19m
I 5 Truck
58.6 mi
1h 7m
I 405 Truck
23 mi
26m
San Diego Freeway
18 mi
20m
Capital City Freeway
10.6 mi
11m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
7.1 mi
8m
Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi
4m
Long Beach Freeway
2.4 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 296.3 mi, about 5h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Roseville, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on this road
66 ft·10 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto Main Street
94 ft·5 sec·Main Street
3
Turn right onto Washington Boulevard
0.4 mi·46 sec·Washington Boulevard
4
Enter roundabout onto Oak Street
185 ft·3 sec·Oak Street
5
Continue on Oak Street
448 ft·19 sec·Oak Street
6
Turn right onto Lincoln Street
288 ft·8 sec·Lincoln Street
Use the right lane.
7
Continue on Sutter Avenue
0.1 mi·29 sec·Sutter Avenue
8
At end of road, turn right onto Folsom Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Folsom Road
9
Turn left onto Douglas Boulevard
0.2 mi·31 sec·Douglas Boulevard
10
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 80 West: SacramentoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 80
1.0 mi·1 min·Alan S. Hart Freeway
12
Continue on I 80
7.1 mi·8 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business
4.9 mi·5 min·Capital City Freeway
Exit 95Toward I 80 Business West: SacramentoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 Business
3.7 mi·4 min·Capital City Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business
1.9 mi·2 min·Capital City Freeway
Toward US 50 East, I 80 West: South Lake Tahoe, San FranciscoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Exit 4AToward I 5: Los Angeles, ReddingUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 4AToward I 5 South: Los AngelesUse the slight left lane.
18
Merge onto I 5
59 mi·1 hr 5 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi·48 sec·Westside Freeway
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
237 mi·4 hr 13 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
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.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
23 mi·26 min·I 405 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
18 mi·20 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
377 ft·9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long BeachUse the slight right lane.
27
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·39 sec·this road
Exit 32BToward I 710 South: Long Beach
28
Merge onto I 710
2.4 mi·3 min·Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on I 710
0.5 mi·40 sec·Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, AquariumUse the slight left / straight lanes.
31
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·Shoreline Drive
32
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
0.2 mi·30 sec·South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
33
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·West Ocean Boulevard
34
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
0.1 mi·21 sec·East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
35
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour, 55-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Roseville to avoid potential traffic as you approach Southern California. With 2 stops planned, ensure they are strategically placed for fuel and rest, especially given the longest stretch of 296.3 miles. The estimated fuel cost of $98 means you'll want to factor this into your budget. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, particularly during that extended period on the Westside Freeway, as service areas can sometimes be spread out on long interstate segments.
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 213.4 miles from Roseville, CA, or about 3h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 296.3 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 94 miles or 1h 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 213.4 miles or 3h 55m 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 43m
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 Roseville, 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 Roseville, CA
This is one driving day of about 426.8 miles and 7h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 94 miles from Roseville, 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 296.3 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 9.7 and 380 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
9.7 mi into trip|~13m in|I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway toward I 80 Business West: Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 95
Toward I 80 Business West: Sacramento
8
18.4 mi into trip|~23m in|I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway toward US 50 East, I 80 West: South Lake Tahoe, San Francisco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 50 East, I 80 West: South Lake Tahoe,...
8
20.3 mi into trip|~25m in
Take the exit toward I 5: Los Angeles, Redding
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 4A
Toward I 5: Los Angeles, Redding
8
20.5 mi into trip|~25m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 South: Los Angeles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 4A
Toward I 5 South: Los Angeles
8
380 mi into trip|~6h 58m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$98.10 one way
$196.19 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg149 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$101.09
$202.18
premium
$6.18
$103.79
$207.59
diesel
$5.61
$94.23
$188.46
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$98
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$123–$148
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 149.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $45 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
128
1
$44.81
$20.49
Efficient EV
106.7
1
$37.35
$17.07
EV Truck/SUV
170.7
2
$59.75
$27.32
Gas CO2
149 kg
EV CO2
50 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 16, 2026
Origin
Roseville, CA
Late night
in Roseville on Tuesday
Local time
5:02 AM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Long Beach, CA
Late night
in Long Beach on Tuesday
Local time
5:02 AM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Partly Sunny
SW 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 2:19PM PDT until April 16 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Sacramento CA
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 12:49PM PDT until April 17 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Eureka 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
18 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 55m 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...
18 mi from route
~46 min detour
Free
near mile 397.4
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...
29 mi from route
~73 min detour
Free
near mile 309.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive on this route. With 97% of the journey on interstates, you'll be covering long distances efficiently. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 296.3 miles on the Westside Freeway, so plan your breaks accordingly. While primarily an interstate experience, the main roads include Westside Freeway, I-5 Truck, and I-405 Truck, indicating a focus on efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways. This character suggests a drive where maintaining speed and covering ground is the priority.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 296.3 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 9.7 miles in near I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway.
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 27 significant decision points across 426.8 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 9.7 miles (I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.4 miles (I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 55m. Total distance: 426.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 55m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 296.3 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 9.7 miles (I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.4 miles (I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 7.9 hours each way, a round trip means 15.9 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.
