Traveling from Taft to Long Beach covers 142.9 miles of California terrain, typically taking about 2 hours and 36 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey is well within the capacity of a single day, you can easily complete it in one sitting without needing an overnight stay. Your path primarily utilizes Kern Street, West Side Highway, and California Street as you move through the Pacific Coast region. Budget approximately $33 for fuel to cover the distance. This trip is best suited for those who prefer navigating local roads rather than sticking to major interstates, offering a straightforward connection between these two points.
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 Taft, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 29m 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
6.3 mi
9m
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 Taft, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on 4th Street
104 ft·9 sec·4th Street
2
Turn left onto CA 33
0.3 mi·37 sec·Kern Street
3
Continue on CA 33
6.3 mi·9 min·West Side Highway
4
Continue on CA 33
0.4 mi·58 sec·California Street
5
At end of road, turn left onto CA 166
0.5 mi·50 sec·Poso Street
6
Continue on CA 166
22 mi·30 min·Maricopa Highway
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
8
Merge onto I 5
3.4 mi·3 min·Westside Freeway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
23 mi·26 min·I 405 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
18 mi·20 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
377 ft·9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long BeachUse the slight right lane.
15
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·39 sec·this road
Exit 32BToward I 710 South: Long Beach
16
Merge onto I 710
2.4 mi·3 min·Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 710
0.5 mi·40 sec·Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, AquariumUse the slight left / straight lanes.
19
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·Shoreline Drive
20
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
0.2 mi·30 sec·South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
21
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·West Ocean Boulevard
22
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
0.1 mi·21 sec·East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
23
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
Since this 2-hour and 36-minute trek is relatively short, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. Plan for at least one stop during your journey to break up the technical, turn-heavy sections and keep yourself refreshed. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $33 cost estimate can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and local station prices. Because you are relying on local roads like West Side Highway and California Street, stay alert for changing speed limits and intersection traffic that aren't typical of highway travel. Taking the time to map out your route through these specific local streets before you head out will help ensure a smoother navigation experience.
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 Taft, CA, or about 1h 29m 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 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.3 miles or 1h 29m 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 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 Taft, CA
This is one driving day of about 142.6 miles and 2h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 33.3 and 140.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
33.3 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 57m 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 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
$32.78 one way
$65.55 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$33.77
$67.55
premium
$6.18
$34.68
$69.36
diesel
$5.61
$31.48
$62.97
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
$14.97
$6.84
Efficient EV
35.7
0
$12.48
$5.70
EV Truck/SUV
57
0
$19.96
$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 19, 2026
Origin
Taft, CA
Afternoon
in Taft on Sunday
Local time
1:40 PM
PDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Long Beach, CA
Afternoon
in Long Beach on Sunday
Local time
1:40 PM
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
19 degrees cooler 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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you navigate away from the highway-free environment. Since the route features a 0% highway share, you will spend the entire 142.9 miles maneuvering through local thoroughfares rather than cruising at high speeds on an interstate. The experience is defined by frequent turns rather than long, straight stretches, making the drive feel more hands-on and technical. You should anticipate a steady pace as you move through the landscape, as the road character remains consistent from start to finish.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 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?
9/10
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 33.3 miles in near I 5 Truck.
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 16 significant decision points across 142.6 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 33.3 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: 142.6 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 33.3 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.
