This 145.8-mile drive from Santa Ynez, CA to Long Beach, CA will take you approximately 2 hours and 59 minutes. It's a straightforward, highway-focused journey that's easily manageable as a single-day trip, with a projected fuel cost of around $34. You'll primarily travel on the Ventura Freeway and the San Diego Freeway, with a portion on the Chumash Highway. Given its manageable length and predominantly highway profile, this route is ideal for those looking to cover ground efficiently between the Pacific Coast regions of Southern California.
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
72.9 miles from Santa Ynez, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ventura Freeway
65.2 mi
1h 15m
San Diego Freeway
31.3 mi
36m
Chumash Highway
23.9 mi
32m
El Camino Real
17 mi
19m
Long Beach Freeway
2.4 mi
3m
Mission Drive
1.5 mi
2m
Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi
2m
West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Ventura Freeway
— 65.2 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Ynez, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on Tivola Street
0.1 mi·30 sec·Tivola Street
2
Turn left onto Edison Street
0.3 mi·43 sec·Edison Street
3
Turn left onto CA 246
1.5 mi·2 min·Mission Drive
4
Enter roundabout onto CA 154
42 ft·0 sec·Chumash Highway
Toward CA 154 East: Cachuma Lake, Santa Barbara
5
Continue on CA 154
24 mi·32 min·Chumash Highway
Toward CA 154 East: Cachuma Lake, Santa BarbaraUse the straight lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward US 101 SouthUse the slight left lane.
7
Merge onto US 101
17 mi·19 min·El Camino Real
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 101
65 mi·1 hr 15 min·Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward I 405 North, I 405 South: Sacramento, Santa MonicaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 405 South: San Diego Freeway, Santa MonicaUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward I 405 South: San Diego FreewayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 405
13 mi·15 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
18 mi·20 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
377 ft·9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long BeachUse the slight right lane.
15
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·39 sec·this road
Exit 32BToward I 710 South: Long Beach
16
Merge onto I 710
2.4 mi·3 min·Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 710
0.5 mi·40 sec·Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, AquariumUse the slight left / straight lanes.
19
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·Shoreline Drive
20
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
0.2 mi·30 sec·South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
21
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·West Ocean Boulevard
22
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
0.1 mi·21 sec·East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
23
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
With a duration of under 3 hours, this trip offers great flexibility. Leaving in the morning, perhaps around 9 AM, should allow you to avoid the worst of any potential traffic heading into Long Beach. You'll only need one planned stop for gas or a break during the 145.8 miles, and the longest stretch without a major exit is 65.2 miles on the Ventura Freeway. Keep an eye on the fuel cost, estimated at $34, and be aware that freeway speeds are the norm for most of this journey.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 72.9 miles from Santa Ynez, CA, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.2 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 32 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.9 miles or 1h 31m 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 25m
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 Santa Ynez, 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 Santa Ynez, CA
This is one driving day of about 145.8 miles and 2h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Santa Ynez, 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 Ventura Freeway for about 65.2 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.9 and 143.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.9 mi into trip|~3m in|CA 154 / Chumash Highway
Enter roundabout onto CA 154 / Chumash Highway toward CA 154 East: Cachuma Lake, Santa Barbara
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward CA 154 East: Cachuma Lake, Santa Barbara
7
108.3 mi into trip|~2h 12m in
Take the exit toward I 405 North, I 405 South: Sacramento, Santa Monica
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.
Toward I 405 North, I 405 South: Sacramento, Sa...
9
108.4 mi into trip|~2h 12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 405 South: San Diego Freeway, Santa Monica
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 405 South: San Diego Freeway, Santa Mo...
8
108.7 mi into trip|~2h 13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 405 South: San Diego Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 405 South: San Diego Freeway
7
143.4 mi into trip|~2h 54m 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
$33.51 one way
$67.02 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$34.53
$69.07
premium
$6.18
$35.46
$70.91
diesel
$5.61
$32.19
$64.38
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.7
0
$15.31
$7.00
Efficient EV
36.5
0
$12.76
$5.83
EV Truck/SUV
58.3
0
$20.41
$9.33
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Santa Ynez, CA
Afternoon
in Santa Ynez on Sunday
Local time
12:00 PM
PDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Long Beach, CA
Afternoon
in Long Beach on Sunday
Local time
12:00 PM
PDT
Current temp
58°F
Partly Cloudy
NE 5 mph1% chanceLive 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.
Temperature spread
13 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
2h 59m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for about 68% of this 145.8-mile route, primarily utilizing the Ventura Freeway and the San Diego Freeway. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 65.2 miles on the Ventura Freeway, offering a consistent pace. While largely a freeway drive, you'll also navigate a section of the Chumash Highway, providing a slight variation. This route is characterized by its efficiency, allowing you to make good time as you transition from the Pacific Coast region of Santa Ynez to the bustling area of Long Beach.
68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 65.2 mi on Ventura Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Ventura Freeway and San Diego Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in near CA 154 / Chumash Highway.
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 18 significant decision points across 145.8 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 1.9 miles (CA 154 / Chumash Highway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Santa Ynez, CA to Long Beach, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Santa Monica along the way.
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 2h 59m. Total distance: 145.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (68%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 65.2 miles on Ventura Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 1.9 miles (CA 154 / Chumash Highway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Long Beach, CA before heading back.
