Seaside, CA to Long Beach, CA is 343.3 miles and takes about 6h 41m via El Camino Real and I 5 Truck, with a fuel budget near $79 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you along the Pacific Coast, transitioning from coastal scenery to more inland routes. With a mixed highway and surface road profile, it offers a blend of cruising and local travel. It's a manageable one-day trip, so you can take your time or push through depending on your schedule.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
171.7 miles from Seaside, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
El Camino Real
94.6 mi
1h 49m
I 5 Truck
58.6 mi
1h 7m
Westside Freeway
56.8 mi
1h
Paso Robles Highway
32.3 mi
38m
CA 46
24.5 mi
28m
I 405 Truck
23 mi
26m
San Diego Freeway
18 mi
20m
Monterey Salinas Highway
12.4 mi
16m
Longest stretch:
El Camino Real
— 94.6 mi, about 1h 49m
Traffic on I-405
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 168 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~7,798 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~723 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 43 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 Seaside, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on Shasta Street
136 ft·13 sec·Shasta Street
2
Turn left onto Contra Costa Street
500 ft·28 sec·Contra Costa Street
3
Turn right onto Del Monte Boulevard
0.3 mi·31 sec·Del Monte Boulevard
4
Turn left onto CA 218
2.6 mi·4 min·Canyon del Rey Boulevard
5
Turn left onto CA 68
12 mi·16 min·Monterey Salinas Highway
6
Continue on CA 68
0.6 mi·44 sec·South Main Street
7
Turn right onto East Blanco Road
1.6 mi·1 min·East Blanco Road
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on South Sanborn Road
0.8 mi·59 sec·South Sanborn Road
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
10
Merge onto US 101
95 mi·1 hr 49 min·El Camino Real
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward CA 46 East: Fresno, Bakersfield
12
Turn left onto CA 46
24 mi·28 min·CA 46
Use the straight / left lanes.
13
Merge onto CA 41; CA 46
1.4 mi·1 min·CA 41; CA 46
14
Turn slight right
490 ft·6 sec
15
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 46
5.3 mi·6 min·Antelope Road
16
Continue on CA 46
32 mi·38 min·Paso Robles Highway
Use the slight left lane.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·24 sec
18
Merge onto I 5
57 mi·1 hr·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
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.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
23 mi·26 min·I 405 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
18 mi·20 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
377 ft·9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long BeachUse the slight right lane.
25
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·39 sec·this road
Exit 32BToward I 710 South: Long Beach
26
Merge onto I 710
2.4 mi·3 min·Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on I 710
0.5 mi·40 sec·Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, AquariumUse the slight left / straight lanes.
29
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·Shoreline Drive
30
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
0.2 mi·30 sec·South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
31
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·West Ocean Boulevard
32
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
0.1 mi·21 sec·East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
33
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour-plus drive, leaving early in the morning from Seaside, CA, is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid the worst of potential traffic. Since it's a single-day trip with only one recommended stop, plan for a break around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition onto surface roads, as gas stations might be less frequent than on the interstate. Given the longest stretch is on El Camino Real, be prepared for slower speeds and more frequent stops in that section.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 171.7 miles from Seaside, CA, or about 3h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.6 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 76 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 171.7 miles or 3h 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 29m
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 Seaside, 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 Seaside, CA
This is one driving day of about 343.3 miles and 6h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 miles from Seaside, 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 El Camino Real for about 94.6 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 16 and 340.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
16 mi into trip|~22m in|East Blanco Road
Turn right onto East Blanco Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
234 mi into trip|~4h 32m 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
292.4 mi into trip|~5h 39m 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
296.5 mi into trip|~5h 44m 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
340.9 mi into trip|~6h 36m 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
$71.82 one way
$143.65 round trip
$5.31/gal25.4 MPG avg120 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$74.59
$149.19
premium
$5.67
$76.57
$153.13
diesel
$4.80
$64.82
$129.64
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$72
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$97–$122
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 120.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
103
1
$36.05
$16.48
Efficient EV
85.8
0
$30.04
$13.73
EV Truck/SUV
137.3
1
$48.06
$21.97
Gas CO2
120 kg
EV CO2
40 kg (67% 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 20, 2026
Origin
Seaside, CA
Evening
in Seaside on Monday
Local time
8:59 PM
PDT
Current temp
58°F
Cloudy
W 2 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 19 at 6:43PM PDT until July 21 at 5:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 19 at 3:37PM PDT until July 20 at 6:00PM PDT by NWS Eureka CA
Destination
Long Beach, CA
Evening
in Long Beach on Monday
Local time
8:59 PM
PDT
Current temp
67°F
Patchy Fog
SSW 0 to 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 19 at 6:43PM PDT until July 21 at 5:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 19 at 3:37PM PDT until July 20 at 6:00PM 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
9 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
6h 41m 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.
Pinnacles National Park
National Park
Around 23 million years ago, a series of volcanic eruptions shaped the landscape that is now Pinnacles National Park. The remnants of these ancient eruptions have formed a striking terrain of rocky sp...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
$30
near mile 47.4
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...
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 307.8
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
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 236.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is about 55% highway, meaning you'll spend roughly 188 miles on faster roads like I 5 Truck and Westside Freeway. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 94.6 miles on El Camino Real, indicating a substantial portion of your drive will be on surface streets with more local traffic and intersections. You'll notice a shift from open highway to denser urban merging as you approach your destination.
55% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 94.6 mi on El Camino Real.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 16 miles in near East Blanco Road.
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 24 significant decision points across 343.3 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 16 miles (East Blanco Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 234 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 292.4 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,191 ft31 ft
Total Climb
4,025 ft
Total Descent
4,023 ft
Highest Point
3,191 ft
~245.2 mi in
Elevation Range
3,160 ft
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 Seaside, CA to Long Beach, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Bakersfield along the way.
Seaside is a city in Monterey County in the Central Coast region of California. It is on the coast of the Monterey Bay, just north of the city of Monterey. Formerly the site of the Fort Ord military base, Seaside now has a PGA Tour-hosting golf course and the California State University of Monterey Bay. It is a good home base from which to see all the towns on Monterey Bay.
Sand City, a three-square-mile town with a population of around 300, is surrounded by Seaside on three sides. A former sand manufacturing area, it has become an artist's colony, and its industrial buildings now house an array of galleries.
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 6h 41m. Total distance: 343.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 41m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 94.6 miles on El Camino Real. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 23 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 16 miles (East Blanco Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 234 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 292.4 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pinnacles National Park, 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 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.4 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.
