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Trip from South Oroville, CA to Long Beach, CA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

8h 53m

Distance

474.6 mi

764 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$109

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
8h 45m ★
6 AM
8h 53m
8 AM
9h 9m
10 AM
8h 59m
12 PM
8h 57m
3 PM
9h 0m
5 PM
9h 8m
8 PM
8h 48m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown South Oroville, CA, CA

South Oroville, CA

Stephen Leonardi

city in Los Angeles County, California, United States

Long Beach, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 474.6-mile journey from South Oroville, CA, to Long Beach, CA, is a significant undertaking, estimated to take 8 hours and 53 minutes of driving time. Given the duration, it's highly recommended to split this drive over two days to avoid fatigue. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 95% of it on major roads, and will likely cost around $109 for fuel. You'll be traversing the Pacific Coast region throughout this trip, making it a continuous experience within California. With just two planned stops, you'll spend a considerable amount of time on the road, so preparing for a long haul is key.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

237.3 miles from South Oroville, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 27m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Westside Freeway 303.7 mi 5h 28m
I 5 Truck 58.6 mi 1h 7m
CA 70 40.7 mi 48m
I 405 Truck 23 mi 26m
San Diego Freeway 18 mi 20m
Golden State Highway 7.7 mi 8m
Bernie Richter Memorial Highway 4.9 mi 5m
E Street 4.2 mi 5m
Longest stretch: Westside Freeway — 303.7 mi, about 5h 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between South Oroville, CA and Long Beach, CA.

1

Start on Elgin Street

369 ft · 18 sec · Elgin Street
2

Turn right onto Lincoln Street

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Lincoln Street
3

Continue on Lincoln Boulevard

2.1 mi · 3 min · Lincoln Boulevard
4

Turn right onto Ophir Road

1.6 mi · 2 min · Ophir Road
5

Turn left onto CA 70

11 mi · 12 min · CA 70
6

Continue on CA 70

11 mi · 12 min · CA 70
7

Continue on CA 70

1.5 mi · 3 min · CA 70
Use the straight lane.
8

Turn right onto 5th Street

0.2 mi · 31 sec · 5th Street
9

Turn left onto CA 70

4.2 mi · 5 min · E Street
10

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 70

18 mi · 20 min · CA 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Merge onto CA 99

4.9 mi · 5 min · Bernie Richter Memorial Highway
12

Continue on CA 99

7.7 mi · 8 min · Golden State Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Merge onto I 5

66 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

0.8 mi · 48 sec · Westside Freeway
15

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

237 mi · 4 hr 13 min · Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck

58 mi · 1 hr 6 min · I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

4.1 mi · 4 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

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.
19

Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck

23 mi · 26 min · I 405 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Keep slight right at fork onto I 405

18 mi · 20 min · San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Take the exit

377 ft · 9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long Beach Use the slight right lane.
22

Continue on this road

0.3 mi · 39 sec · this road
Exit 32B Toward I 710 South: Long Beach
23

Merge onto I 710

2.4 mi · 3 min · Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Continue on I 710

0.5 mi · 40 sec · Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, Aquarium Use the slight left / straight lanes.
26

Continue on Shoreline Drive

1.3 mi · 2 min · Shoreline Drive
27

Turn left onto South Chestnut Place

0.2 mi · 30 sec · South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
28

Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Ocean Boulevard
29

Continue on East Ocean Boulevard

0.1 mi · 21 sec · East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
30

Arrive at destination

East Ocean Boulevard

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 474.6-mile drive, plan for an early morning departure to maximize daylight and minimize traffic, especially as you approach the Los Angeles area. Splitting the drive over two days is strongly advised, with a good stopping point around the halfway mark to break up the 8 hours and 53 minutes of estimated travel. Be mindful of the longest stretch of 303.7 miles; ensure you have ample fuel before embarking on this segment. With an estimated fuel cost of $109, budgeting for gas is essential, and checking your tire pressure before you leave can also improve fuel efficiency on this predominantly highway route.

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.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 237.3 miles from South Oroville, CA, or about 4h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 303.7 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 104 miles or 2h 3m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 237.3 miles or 4h 27m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 237.3 miles or 4h 27m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 7h 40m

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 South Oroville, 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.

+

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from South Oroville, CA

Aim for roughly 237 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Long Beach, CA

Aim for roughly 237 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 104 miles from South Oroville, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 303.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in California, United States

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Mendota, CA

237 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Mendota, CA

Overnight Options

Night 1

Mendota, CA

237 mi · about 4.4h in

A practical overnight split lands near Mendota, CA after about 237 miles or 4.4 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Stockton, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 104 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Mendota, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 237.3 miles from South Oroville, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 303.7 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 237 miles or 4.4 hours on the road.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Old Sacramento Waterfront

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Sacramento, California

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 67.8

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19169705226

Visit website

Butcher & Barrel

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Sacramento, California

0.6 mi

Bubu's Restaurant

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Long Beach, California

2 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Anchor & Tree Coffee Roasting Co

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Sacramento, California

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 67.8

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+19163059267

Visit website

Old Sacramento Waterfront

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 67.8

Sacramento, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19169705226

Visit website

Butcher & Barrel

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $100 or ab mile 67.8

Sacramento, California

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+19164763408

Visit website

Bubu's Restaurant

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 474.6

Long Beach, California

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+15625347279

Visit website

Allora

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $100 or ab mile 67.8

Sacramento, California

Hours: 5–8:30 pm

+19165386434

Visit website

Anchor & Tree Coffee Roasting Co

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 67.8

Sacramento, California

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+19163059267

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 67.8

Sacramento, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887800062

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 67.8

West Sacramento, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 67.8

Sacramento, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 67.8

Sacramento, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 67.8

Sacramento, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 67.8

Sacramento, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 67.8

Sacramento, California

+18887800062

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 67.8

Sacramento, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Crocker Art Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route Moderately mile 67.8

Sacramento, California

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+19168087000

Visit website

Harbor Breeze Whale Watching Cruises

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 474.6

Long Beach, CA

Hours: 9 am–6 pm

+15624324900

Visit website

Sacramento History Museum

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 67.8

Sacramento, California

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19168087059

Visit website

Aquarium of the Pacific

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 474.6

Long Beach, California

Hours: 9 am–6 pm

+15625903100

Visit website

Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 67.8

Sacramento, California

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+19164443071

Visit website

California State Capitol Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 67.8

Sacramento, California

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+19163240333

Visit website

SoCal Whale Watching

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 474.6

Long Beach, California

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+15624729514

Visit website

California Museum

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 67.8

Sacramento, California

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19166537524

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 21

5 decision points cluster between mile 31.5 and 472.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
31.5 mi into trip | ~41m in | CA 70

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 70

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
128.7 mi into trip | ~2h 30m 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
365.3 mi into trip | ~6h 44m 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.
8
427.7 mi into trip | ~7h 55m 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
472.2 mi into trip | ~8h 48m 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

$109.08 one way

$218.17 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 166 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $112.41 $224.82
premium $6.18 $115.42 $230.83
diesel $5.61 $104.79 $209.57

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$109

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$239–$349

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 166.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $50 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 142.4 1 $49.83 $22.78
Efficient EV 118.7 1 $41.53 $18.98
EV Truck/SUV 189.8 2 $66.44 $30.37

Gas CO2

166 kg

EV CO2

56 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 15, 2026

Origin

South Oroville, CA

Late night in South Oroville on Sunday

Local time

5:53 AM

PDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Long Beach, CA

Late night in Long Beach on Sunday

Local time

5:53 AM

PDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live 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.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

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

7 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

8h 53m on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

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

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...

17 mi from route ~42 min detour Free near mile 441.9
View on nps.gov
César E. Chávez National Monument

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...

28 mi from route ~70 min detour Free near mile 360
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 highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, with 95% of the route utilizing major highways. The main roads you'll follow include Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, and CA 70. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a considerable 303.7 miles on the Westside Freeway, indicating long periods of consistent driving. This route offers a profile best described as a highway-centric experience, meaning you'll be covering distance efficiently rather than on winding scenic byways.

95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 303.7 mi on Westside Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

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 31.5 miles in near CA 70.

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 21 significant decision points across 474.6 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 31.5 miles (CA 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 128.7 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 365.3 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

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).

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 303.7 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 237 miles on day one.

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 31.5 miles (CA 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 128.7 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 365.3 miles (I 5 Truck): 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 8.9 hours each way, a round trip means 17.8 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.

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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