Thousand Palms to Long Beach is 119.7 miles and takes about 2h 27m via Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway and CA 91, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within California's Pacific Coast region, offering a straightforward drive from the desert-adjacent Coachella Valley to the coastal city of Long Beach. Most of the travel is on major freeways, making it a practical choice for a quick transfer. With a fuel cost estimated at $27 and a drive time under three hours, it's well-suited for a single-day trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.8 miles from Thousand Palms, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
19.3 mi
20m
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
17.9 mi
19m
CA 91
16.7 mi
19m
Moreno Valley Freeway
16.5 mi
20m
Riverside Freeway
13.4 mi
15m
Garden Grove Freeway
12.7 mi
14m
Costa Mesa Freeway
4.8 mi
5m
Escondido Freeway
3.9 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
— 19.3 mi, about 20m
Traffic on I-405
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~7,372 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~476 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 40 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thousand Palms, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on Arbol Real Avenue
0.2 mi·46 sec·Arbol Real Avenue
2
Turn left onto Ramon Road
0.1 mi·24 sec·Ramon Road
3
Turn right onto Monterey Avenue
0.6 mi·54 sec·Monterey Avenue
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·27 sec
Toward I-10: WESTUse the slight right lane.
5
Merge onto I 10
19 mi·20 min·Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
Use the right lane.
6
Continue on I 10
18 mi·19 min·Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·13 sec
Exit 93Toward CA 60 West: RiversideUse the slight left lane.
8
Continue on CA 60
0.5 mi·33 sec·Moreno Valley Freeway
9
Continue on CA 60
2.0 mi·2 min·Moreno Valley Expressway
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on CA 60
16 mi·20 min·Moreno Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 215; CA 60
3.9 mi·4 min·Escondido Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
1.5 mi·3 min
Exit 34BToward CA 91 West: Riverside, Beach CitiesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto CA 91
13 mi·15 min·Riverside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·20 sec
Exit 50Toward Main StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on CA 91
17 mi·19 min·CA 91
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 55
4.8 mi·5 min·Costa Mesa Freeway
Exit 34Toward CA 55 South: Newport BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi·39 sec
Exit 13Toward CA 22 West: Garden Grove Freeway, Long BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto CA 22
13 mi·14 min·Garden Grove Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on CA 22; I 405
1.7 mi·1 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit onto CA 22
2.5 mi·3 min·CA 22
Exit 23Toward CA 22 West: Long BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto East 7th Street
2.7 mi·6 min·East 7th Street
22
Turn left onto Rose Avenue
0.3 mi·51 sec·Rose Avenue
Use the left lane.
23
At end of road, turn right onto East 4th Street
0.7 mi·2 min·East 4th Street
24
Turn left onto Alamitos Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Alamitos Avenue
Use the left lane.
25
Turn right onto East Ocean Boulevard
0.4 mi·1 min·East Ocean Boulevard
Use the right lane.
26
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given this is a relatively short drive of about 2.5 hours, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Thousand Palms in the morning, perhaps after 9 AM, can help you avoid the earliest rush hour. The estimated fuel cost is $27, so ensure your tank is full before you leave to minimize stops. The longest stretch without an exit is 19.3 miles on the Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway, so plan for any needed breaks before entering that segment. This route is easily manageable in one day, so you can focus on enjoying the transition from inland to coast without feeling rushed.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 59.8 miles from Thousand Palms, CA, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 19.3 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 26 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.8 miles or 1h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 54m
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 Thousand Palms, 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 Thousand Palms, CA
This is one driving day of about 119.7 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Thousand Palms, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway for about 19.3 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 38.6 and 97.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
38.6 mi into trip|~42m in
Take the exit toward CA 60 West: Riverside
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 93
Toward CA 60 West: Riverside
8
61.2 mi into trip|~1h 10m in
Take the exit toward CA 91 West: Riverside, Beach Cities
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 34B
Toward CA 91 West: Riverside, Beach Cities
7
76.1 mi into trip|~1h 28m in
Take the exit toward Main Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 50
Toward Main Street
8
93.1 mi into trip|~1h 48m in|CA 55 / Costa Mesa Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 55 / Costa Mesa Freeway toward CA 55 South: Newport Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 34
Toward CA 55 South: Newport Beach
8
97.9 mi into trip|~1h 53m in
Take the exit toward CA 22 West: Garden Grove Freeway, Long Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 13
Toward CA 22 West: Garden Grove Freeway, Long B...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.13 one way
$54.26 round trip
$5.76/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.96
$28.07
$56.14
premium
$6.09
$28.71
$57.42
diesel
$5.40
$25.46
$50.92
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.9
0
$12.57
$5.75
Efficient EV
29.9
0
$10.47
$4.79
EV Truck/SUV
47.9
0
$16.76
$7.66
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (67% 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 26, 2026
Origin
Thousand Palms, CA
Night
in Thousand Palms on Saturday
Local time
11:06 PM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
NW 15 to 25 mph22% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 25 at 6:51PM PDT until April 27 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 25 at 1:57PM PDT until April 26 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Destination
Long Beach, CA
Night
in Long Beach on Saturday
Local time
11:06 PM
PDT
Current temp
58°F
Rain Showers Likely
W 10 to 15 mph71% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 25 at 6:51PM PDT until April 27 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 25 at 1:57PM PDT until April 26 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
60°F
Riverside, CA
60 mi in
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
1 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 27m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 78% of the 119.7 miles on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a single freeway is 19.3 miles, found on the Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway. Expect a mostly highway experience, transitioning to surface streets as you approach your destination in Long Beach. The abundance of freeway miles means you'll encounter frequent exits and potential for merging traffic as you get closer to the urban core.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 19.3 mi on Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway and Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 38.6 miles in.
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 18 significant decision points across 119.7 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 38.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 76.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Thousand Palms, CA to Long Beach, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Beach Cities along the way.
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 27m. Total distance: 119.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 19.3 miles on Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway. 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 38.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 76.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Long Beach, CA before heading back.
