If you are planning to travel from Suisun to Long Beach, expect a straightforward 411.9-mile journey that typically takes about 7 hours and 48 minutes. This route is designed for efficiency, relying heavily on the Westside Freeway, I-5 Truck, and CA-12 to traverse the Pacific Coast region. While it is technically feasible to complete this trip in a single day, be prepared for a long stint behind the wheel. Budgeting roughly $95 for fuel is a smart move before you head out. Ultimately, this drive is a practical choice if your goal is to reach Southern California as directly as possible without unnecessary detours.
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
206 miles from Suisun, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
263.7 mi
4h 43m
I 5 Truck
58.6 mi
1h 7m
CA 12
37.6 mi
53m
I 405 Truck
23 mi
26m
San Diego Freeway
18 mi
20m
Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi
4m
Long Beach Freeway
2.4 mi
3m
Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 263.7 mi, about 4h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Suisun, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on Solano Street
205 ft·9 sec·Solano Street
2
Continue on Kellogg Street
408 ft·20 sec·Kellogg Street
3
Turn right onto Morgan Street
306 ft·17 sec·Morgan Street
4
Turn right onto Main Street
0.4 mi·44 sec·Main Street
5
Turn right onto Lotz Way
0.1 mi·18 sec·Lotz Way
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
Merge onto CA 12
14 mi·20 min·CA 12
Use the straight lane.
8
Enter roundabout onto CA 12
90 ft·1 sec·CA 12
9
Continue on CA 12
23 mi·32 min·CA 12
Use the left lane.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
11
Merge onto I 5
26 mi·29 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi·48 sec·Westside Freeway
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
237 mi·4 hr 13 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
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.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
23 mi·26 min·I 405 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
18 mi·20 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
377 ft·9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long BeachUse the slight right lane.
20
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·39 sec·this road
Exit 32BToward I 710 South: Long Beach
21
Merge onto I 710
2.4 mi·3 min·Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 710
0.5 mi·40 sec·Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, AquariumUse the slight left / straight lanes.
24
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·Shoreline Drive
25
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
0.2 mi·30 sec·South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
26
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·West Ocean Boulevard
27
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
0.1 mi·21 sec·East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
28
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
To manage the 411.9-mile distance effectively, plan for at least two intentional stops to stretch your legs and break up the monotony of the highway. Because the drive is largely interstate-based, traffic patterns on the Westside Freeway can significantly impact your total travel time, so check local conditions before you depart. Given the $95 fuel estimate, topping off your tank before leaving Suisun ensures you won't have to worry about finding a station during the long 263.7-mile stretch. Aiming for an early morning departure is your best strategy to navigate the route within the estimated 7-hour and 48-minute window. If you find yourself tiring, don't hesitate to utilize those two planned stops to maintain your focus 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 206 miles from Suisun, CA, or about 3h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 263.7 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 91 miles or 1h 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 206 miles or 3h 56m 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 36m
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 Suisun, 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 Suisun, CA
This is one driving day of about 411.9 miles and 7h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 91 miles from Suisun, 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 263.7 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 0.7 and 409.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.7 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
66.1 mi into trip|~1h 26m 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
302.7 mi into trip|~5h 39m 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
365.1 mi into trip|~6h 51m 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
409.5 mi into trip|~7h 43m 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
$94.67 one way
$189.34 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg144 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$97.56
$195.12
premium
$6.18
$100.17
$200.34
diesel
$5.61
$90.94
$181.88
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$95
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$120–$145
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 144.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
123.6
1
$43.25
$19.77
Efficient EV
103
1
$36.04
$16.48
EV Truck/SUV
164.8
2
$57.67
$26.36
Gas CO2
144 kg
EV CO2
48 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Suisun, CA
Late night
in Suisun on Tuesday
Local time
4:30 AM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Long Beach, CA
Late night
in Long Beach on Tuesday
Local time
4:30 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.
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
7h 48m 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.
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
National Memorial
On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two s...
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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 383.5
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
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 298.3
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of American civilians on the WWII home front. Discover how diverse communities lived, worked, and interacted. Many faces, many stories, many truths...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly focused interstate experience, as 99% of this trip takes place on highways. The character of the drive is defined by the Westside Freeway, which accounts for your longest uninterrupted stretch of 263.7 miles. Because this is primarily an interstate-heavy route, you will find a consistent, high-speed pace throughout most of the day. The transition from the northern part of the Pacific Coast down to Long Beach is defined by these major arteries rather than winding local roads. It is an efficient, no-nonsense drive that favors utility and steady progress over technical maneuvering.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 263.7 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 0.7 miles in.
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 24 significant decision points across 411.9 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 0.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 66.1 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 302.7 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 7h 48m. Total distance: 411.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 48m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 263.7 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 0.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 66.1 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 302.7 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and César E. Chávez National Monument (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.8 hours each way, a round trip means 15.6 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.
