Vandenberg Village to Long Beach is 174.6 miles and takes about 3h 33m via Ventura Freeway, El Camino Real, and San Diego Freeway, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within California, starting in the Pacific Coast region and ending in the same region. Expect a mix of highway and surface street driving, making it a fairly straightforward, same-day excursion. It’s a manageable distance that allows for a relaxed pace, especially if you're looking to avoid a full day of travel.
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
87.3 miles from Vandenberg Village, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ventura Freeway
65.2 mi
1h 15m
El Camino Real
47.2 mi
55m
San Diego Freeway
31.3 mi
36m
San Julian Road
16.3 mi
22m
Cabrillo Highway
2.9 mi
3m
CA 1
2.9 mi
5m
Long Beach Freeway
2.4 mi
3m
East Ocean Avenue
1.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Ventura Freeway
— 65.2 mi, about 1h 15m
Traffic on I-405
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 72 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~8,499 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~763 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 43 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 Vandenberg Village, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on Aldebaran Avenue
31 ft·3 sec·Aldebaran Avenue
2
Turn right onto Constellation Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Constellation Road
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
4
Merge onto CA 1
1.5 mi·1 min·Cabrillo Highway
5
Take the exit onto CA 1
2.9 mi·5 min·CA 1
Toward Lampoc
6
Turn left onto CA 1; CA 246
1.3 mi·1 min·East Ocean Avenue
7
Turn right onto CA 1
16 mi·22 min·San Julian Road
8
Continue on CA 1
1.5 mi·2 min·Cabrillo Highway
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·25 sec
10
Merge onto US 101
47 mi·55 min·El Camino Real
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on US 101
65 mi·1 hr 15 min·Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward I 405 North, I 405 South: Sacramento, Santa MonicaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 405 South: San Diego Freeway, Santa MonicaUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward I 405 South: San Diego FreewayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 405
13 mi·15 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
18 mi·20 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
377 ft·9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long BeachUse the slight right lane.
18
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·39 sec·this road
Exit 32BToward I 710 South: Long Beach
19
Merge onto I 710
2.4 mi·3 min·Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 710
0.5 mi·40 sec·Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, AquariumUse the slight left / straight lanes.
22
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·Shoreline Drive
23
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
0.2 mi·30 sec·South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
24
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·West Ocean Boulevard
25
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
0.1 mi·21 sec·East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
26
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
For this 174.6-mile trip, leaving in the morning is ideal to make the most of daylight and potentially avoid heavier traffic, especially as you approach Long Beach. The 3h 33m estimated duration suggests it's easily a one-day drive, so you won't need to plan for an overnight stay. You'll have one main stretch of 65.2 miles on the Ventura Freeway, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before you hit that longer segment. With a fuel cost estimated around $40, it's a budget-friendly option for a quick getaway.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 87.3 miles from Vandenberg Village, CA, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.2 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 38 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.3 miles or 1h 48m 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 53m
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 Vandenberg Village, 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 Vandenberg Village, CA
This is one driving day of about 174.6 miles and 3h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Vandenberg Village, 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 Ventura Freeway for about 65.2 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 137.1 and 172.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
137.1 mi into trip|~2h 46m in
Take the exit toward I 405 North, I 405 South: Sacramento, Santa Monica
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.
Toward I 405 North, I 405 South: Sacramento, Sa...
9
137.3 mi into trip|~2h 46m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 405 South: San Diego Freeway, Santa Monica
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 405 South: San Diego Freeway, Santa Mo...
8
137.6 mi into trip|~2h 47m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 405 South: San Diego Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 405 South: San Diego Freeway
6
151 mi into trip|~3h 2m in|I 405 / San Diego Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 / San Diego Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
172.2 mi into trip|~3h 28m 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
$39.57 one way
$79.15 round trip
$5.76/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.96
$40.94
$81.88
premium
$6.09
$41.88
$83.75
diesel
$5.40
$37.14
$74.28
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
EV Charging Along Route
9 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Five Points Shopping Center - Tesla Supercharger
Santa Barbara, CA
Tesla
16 DCFC
Lompoc, CA - 3734 Constellation Road - Tesla Supercharger
Lompoc, CA
Tesla
12 DCFC
Camino Real Marketplace - Tesla Supercharger
Goleta, CA
Tesla
12 DCFC
Camino Real Marketplace (Goleta, CA)
Goleta, CA
Electrify America
6 DCFC
Chase Bank - 1302 State St
Santa Barbara, CA
eVgo Network
6 DCFC
BOA North Santa Barbara CA6-121 (Santa Barbara, CA
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.4
0
$18.33
$8.38
Efficient EV
43.7
0
$15.28
$6.98
EV Truck/SUV
69.8
0
$24.44
$11.17
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Vandenberg Village, CA
Evening
in Vandenberg Village on Saturday
Local time
7:49 PM
PDT
Current temp
63°F
Rain Showers Likely
W 10 mph55% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 25 at 1:57PM PDT until April 26 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 25 at 12:10PM PDT until April 26 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Destination
Long Beach, CA
Evening
in Long Beach on Saturday
Local time
7:49 PM
PDT
Current temp
65°F
Chance Rain Showers
WSW 15 mph49% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 25 at 1:57PM PDT until April 26 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 25 at 12:10PM PDT until April 26 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS San Diego 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
2 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
3h 33m 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...
3 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 120.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 59% of this 174.6-mile drive is on highways like the Ventura Freeway and San Diego Freeway. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch on the Ventura Freeway, covering 65.2 miles. The transition from highway to surface streets, primarily El Camino Real, will likely involve more frequent exits and potential for local traffic. The profile is mixed highway and surface, so be prepared for a change in driving conditions as you navigate through towns.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 65.2 mi on Ventura Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 137.1 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 19 significant decision points across 174.6 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 137.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 137.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 137.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Vandenberg Village, CA to Long Beach, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Santa Monica 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 3h 33m. Total distance: 174.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 65.2 miles on Ventura 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 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 137.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 137.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 137.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Long Beach, CA, but most travelers stay overnight.
