Traveling from Woodlake to Long Beach covers 379.7 miles and typically takes about 6 hours and 16 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight shot on the interstate, you should budget for a full day of travel. You can expect to spend approximately $88 on fuel for the journey. While it is technically possible to complete this trip in one day, the winding nature of the roads makes it a demanding drive. You will be traveling entirely within the Pacific Coast region of California, transitioning from the inland area of Woodlake down to the coastal urban landscape of Long Beach.
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
189.5 miles from Woodlake, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
250.2 mi
4h 28m
I 5 Truck
58.6 mi
1h 7m
I 405 Truck
23 mi
26m
San Diego Freeway
18 mi
20m
CA 99
13.4 mi
15m
Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi
4m
Crosstown Freeway
2.4 mi
2m
Long Beach Freeway
2.4 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 250.2 mi, about 4h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Woodlake, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on this road
0.1 mi·47 sec·this road
2
Turn left
0.5 mi·3 min
3
At end of road, turn left onto Woodbridge Road
1.3 mi·3 min·Woodbridge Road
4
Turn left onto 99 Frontage Road
0.1 mi·18 sec·99 Frontage Road
5
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·16 sec
6
Merge onto CA 99
13 mi·15 min·CA 99
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward CA 4
8
Merge onto CA 4
2.4 mi·2 min·Crosstown Freeway
9
Take the exit onto CA 4
0.4 mi·50 sec·CA 4
Toward I 5: Sacramento
10
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 4
0.7 mi·1 min·CA 4
Toward I 5 South
11
Merge onto I 5; CA 4
13 mi·14 min·Westside Freeway
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
Planning your departure is essential for this 379.7-mile trek, so aim to leave early in the morning to account for the slow-going nature of local roads. Since the trip involves only one planned stop, ensure you time your break strategically to maintain your energy levels during the 6-hour and 16-minute duration. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $88 cost estimate can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency on winding local segments. A helpful tip for this specific route is to familiarize yourself with the CA 4 turns beforehand, as navigating local roads requires more frequent navigation checks than a standard highway route.
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 189.5 miles from Woodlake, CA, or about 3h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 250.2 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 83 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 189.5 miles or 3h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 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 Woodlake, 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 Woodlake, CA
This is one driving day of about 379 miles and 7h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Woodlake, 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 250.2 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 33.2 and 376.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
33.2 mi into trip|~44m 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
269.8 mi into trip|~4h 57m 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
328.1 mi into trip|~6h 4m 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
332.2 mi into trip|~6h 9m 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
376.6 mi into trip|~7h 1m 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
$87.11 one way
$174.22 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg133 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$89.77
$179.53
premium
$6.18
$92.17
$184.34
diesel
$5.61
$83.68
$167.36
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$87
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$112–$137
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 132.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
113.7
1
$39.80
$18.19
Efficient EV
94.8
1
$33.16
$15.16
EV Truck/SUV
151.6
1
$53.06
$24.26
Gas CO2
133 kg
EV CO2
44 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 16, 2026
Origin
Woodlake, CA
Late night
in Woodlake on Tuesday
Local time
1:08 AM
PDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Long Beach, CA
Late night
in Long Beach on Tuesday
Local time
1:08 AM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Partly Sunny
SW 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 2:19PM PDT until April 16 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Sacramento CA
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 12:49PM PDT until April 17 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Eureka 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
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
7h 6m 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 339.8
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
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 274.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a technical and engaging experience rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will navigate a series of turn-heavy local roads, primarily utilizing Woodbridge Road, 99 Frontage Road, and CA 4. Because the route relies on local infrastructure, you won't find long, uninterrupted high-speed stretches; instead, the drive requires your full attention as you transition between various road types. The character of the trip remains consistent in its demand for active driving, keeping you focused on the road ahead as you move toward the coast.
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: 250.2 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 33.2 miles in near I 5 / Westside Freeway.
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 24 significant decision points across 379 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 33.2 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 269.8 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 328.1 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): 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 6m. Total distance: 379 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 6m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 250.2 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 33.2 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 269.8 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 328.1 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.2 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.
