This 142.7-mile drive from South Taft, CA to Long Beach, CA is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 55 minutes. With 77% of the route on highways, it's designed for efficient travel between the Pacific Coast regions. Budget around $33 for fuel for this trip. The drive is best suited for those who prefer consistent road speeds and a predictable path, making it a practical option for a one-day excursion. You'll find the route has one suggested stop, offering a chance to break up the journey.
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
71.3 miles from South Taft, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5 Truck
58.6 mi
1h 7m
I 405 Truck
23 mi
26m
Maricopa Highway
22.1 mi
30m
San Diego Freeway
18 mi
20m
West Side Highway
5.9 mi
8m
Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi
4m
Westside Freeway
3.4 mi
3m
Long Beach Freeway
2.4 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 5 Truck
— 58.6 mi, about 1h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Taft, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on Olive Avenue
0.2 mi·48 sec·Olive Avenue
2
Continue on 2nd Street
462 ft·22 sec·2nd Street
3
Turn right onto Main Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Main Street
4
Turn right onto CA 33
5.9 mi·8 min·West Side Highway
5
Continue on CA 33
0.4 mi·58 sec·California Street
6
At end of road, turn left onto CA 166
0.5 mi·50 sec·Poso Street
7
Continue on CA 166
22 mi·30 min·Maricopa Highway
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
9
Merge onto I 5
3.4 mi·3 min·Westside Freeway
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
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.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
23 mi·26 min·I 405 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
18 mi·20 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
377 ft·9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long BeachUse the slight right lane.
16
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·39 sec·this road
Exit 32BToward I 710 South: Long Beach
17
Merge onto I 710
2.4 mi·3 min·Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 710
0.5 mi·40 sec·Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, AquariumUse the slight left / straight lanes.
20
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·Shoreline Drive
21
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
0.2 mi·30 sec·South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
22
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·West Ocean Boulevard
23
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
0.1 mi·21 sec·East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
24
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of under 3 hours, this drive is perfectly manageable in one day. Departing South Taft in the morning will allow you to reach Long Beach with ample time to spare. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of approximately $33, planning is minimal. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 58.6-mile stretch on I 5 Truck, as services can be spaced out on these major highways. Your flexibility with this route means you can decide on the fly when and where to take your break.
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 71.3 miles from South Taft, CA, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.6 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 31 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.3 miles or 1h 30m 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 22m
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 Taft, 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 South Taft, CA
This is one driving day of about 142.7 miles and 2h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from South Taft, 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 I 5 Truck for about 58.6 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 33.4 and 140.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
33.4 mi into trip|~46m 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
91.7 mi into trip|~1h 53m 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
95.8 mi into trip|~1h 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
6
96.1 mi into trip|~1h 58m in|I 405 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
140.2 mi into trip|~2h 50m 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
$32.80 one way
$65.60 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$33.80
$67.60
premium
$6.18
$34.70
$69.41
diesel
$5.61
$31.51
$63.01
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
42.8
0
$14.98
$6.85
Efficient EV
35.7
0
$12.49
$5.71
EV Truck/SUV
57.1
0
$19.98
$9.13
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
South Taft, CA
Late night
in South Taft on Tuesday
Local time
1:47 AM
PDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Long Beach, CA
Late night
in Long Beach on Tuesday
Local time
1:47 AM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Partly Sunny
SW 10 mph0% 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
16 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
2h 55m 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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 108.2
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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 34.4
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 experience on this route, with 77% of your travel on main roads like I 5 Truck and I 405 Truck. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 58.6 miles on I 5 Truck, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. While Maricopa Highway offers a different feel, much of this journey is about covering ground efficiently on major thoroughfares. This drive's personality is one of directness and utility, rather than winding scenic byways.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 58.6 mi on I 5 Truck.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 Truck and I 405 Truck. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 33.4 miles in near I 5 Truck.
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 17 significant decision points across 142.7 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 33.4 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 91.7 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 95.8 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 55m. Total distance: 142.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 58.6 miles on I 5 Truck. 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 33.4 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 91.7 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 95.8 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Long Beach, CA before heading back.
