Traveling from Stanford to Long Beach covers 382 miles and typically requires about 7 hours and 17 minutes of driving time. Because this is a highway-focused route, it is entirely feasible as a single-day trip, though you should budget approximately $88 for fuel. You will primarily navigate via the Westside Freeway, I-5 Truck, and the Pacheco Pass Highway. Both your origin and destination sit within the Pacific Coast region of California, keeping you within a consistent geographic corridor. This journey is designed for efficiency rather than sightseeing, making it a practical choice if your goal is simply to reach Southern California from the Bay Area as quickly as possible.
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
191 miles from Stanford, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
181.1 mi
3h 14m
I 5 Truck
58.6 mi
1h 7m
Pacheco Pass Highway
40.6 mi
50m
I 405 Truck
23 mi
26m
US 101
20.3 mi
23m
West Valley Freeway
18.1 mi
20m
San Diego Freeway
18 mi
20m
Junipero Serra Freeway
7.2 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 181.1 mi, about 3h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Stanford, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on Bowdoin Lane
323 ft·19 sec·Bowdoin Lane
2
Turn right onto Arguello Mall
226 ft·12 sec·Arguello Mall
3
Turn left onto Campus Drive East
0.2 mi·43 sec·Campus Drive East
4
Enter roundabout onto Bowdoin Street
18 ft·0 sec·Bowdoin Street
5
Continue on Bowdoin Street
0.4 mi·59 sec·Bowdoin Street
6
At end of road, turn right onto Stanford Avenue
0.1 mi·31 sec·Stanford Avenue
7
Turn left onto Peter Coutts Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Peter Coutts Road
8
Turn right onto CR G3
1.8 mi·3 min·Page Mill Road
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Toward I 280 South: San JoseUse the right lane.
10
Merge onto I 280
7.2 mi·8 min·Junipero Serra Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Exit 12BToward CA 85 South: GilroyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto CA 85
18 mi·20 min·West Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on CA 85
0.4 mi·27 sec·CA 85
Exit 1AToward US 101 South
14
Continue on US 101
20 mi·23 min·US 101
15
Take the exit onto CA 152
0.3 mi·39 sec·CA 152
Toward CA 152 East: 10th Street, Pacheco Pass Road
16
Turn left onto CA 152
353 ft·12 sec·East 10th Street
17
Continue on CA 152
41 mi·50 min·Pacheco Pass Highway
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 5: Los Angeles
19
Merge onto I 5
181 mi·3 hr 14 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
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.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
23 mi·26 min·I 405 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
18 mi·20 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
377 ft·9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long BeachUse the slight right lane.
26
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·39 sec·this road
Exit 32BToward I 710 South: Long Beach
27
Merge onto I 710
2.4 mi·3 min·Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on I 710
0.5 mi·40 sec·Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, AquariumUse the slight left / straight lanes.
30
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·Shoreline Drive
31
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
0.2 mi·30 sec·South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
32
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·West Ocean Boulevard
33
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
0.1 mi·21 sec·East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
34
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
Planning for two scheduled stops will help break up the 7-hour drive and keep you refreshed. Given the heavy reliance on major interstates, try to depart early in the morning to avoid the worst of the traffic bottlenecks near your urban origin and destination. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially during that longest 181.1-mile stretch, to ensure you don't run low between service intervals. Since the route is manageable in one day, use your flexibility to time your breaks around peak traffic hours. Prioritizing these two stops is the smartest way to maintain your energy for the final approach into Long Beach.
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 191 miles from Stanford, CA, or about 3h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 181.1 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 84 miles or 1h 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 191 miles or 3h 41m 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 5m
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 Stanford, 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 Stanford, CA
This is one driving day of about 382 miles and 7h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 miles from Stanford, 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 181.1 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 379.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.4 mi into trip|~4m in|CR G3 / Page Mill Road
Turn right onto CR G3 / Page Mill Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
3.2 mi into trip|~7m in
Take the exit toward I 280 South: San Jose
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 280 South: San Jose
7
10.8 mi into trip|~16m in
Take the exit toward CA 85 South: Gilroy
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 12B
Toward CA 85 South: Gilroy
8
335.1 mi into trip|~6h 20m 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
379.6 mi into trip|~7h 12m 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
$87.80 one way
$175.60 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg134 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$90.48
$180.95
premium
$6.18
$92.90
$185.80
diesel
$5.61
$84.34
$168.68
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$88
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$113–$138
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 133.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
114.6
1
$40.11
$18.34
Efficient EV
95.5
1
$33.43
$15.28
EV Truck/SUV
152.8
1
$53.48
$24.45
Gas CO2
134 kg
EV CO2
45 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 13, 2026
Origin
Stanford, CA
Morning
in Stanford on Tuesday
Local time
6:25 AM
PDT
Current temp
46°F
Slight Chance Light Rain
SW 2 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Winter Weather Advisory
Winter Weather Advisory issued April 13 at 12:17AM PDT until April 13 at 7:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Winter Weather Advisory
Winter Weather Advisory issued April 13 at 12:17AM PDT until April 13 at 7:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Destination
Long Beach, CA
Morning
in Long Beach on Tuesday
Local time
6:25 AM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Slight Chance Light Rain
WNW 0 to 5 mph24% chanceLive forecast
Winter Weather Advisory
Winter Weather Advisory issued April 13 at 12:17AM PDT until April 13 at 7:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Winter Weather Advisory
Winter Weather Advisory issued April 13 at 12:17AM PDT until April 13 at 7:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard 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
8 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 17m 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
~45 min detour
Free
near mile 342.5
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 276.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed experience, as 87% of this trip consists of highway driving. The route features a significant 181.1-mile stretch on the Westside Freeway, which dominates the middle portion of your journey. You will encounter a mix of fast-paced interstate travel punctuated by the transition through the Pacheco Pass Highway. While the drive is straightforward, the sheer length of the highway segments requires steady focus behind the wheel. Prepare for a consistent, utilitarian pace that favors time-saving over winding, technical backroads.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 181.1 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 1.4 miles in near CR G3 / Page Mill 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 26 significant decision points across 382 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 1.4 miles (CR G3 / Page Mill Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 7h 17m. Total distance: 382 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 17m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 181.1 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 1.4 miles (CR G3 / Page Mill Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 7.3 hours each way, a round trip means 14.6 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.
