Origin
Alta Sierra, CA
Night in Alta Sierra on Tuesday
Local time
9:55 PM
PDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Alta Sierra, CA to Long Beach, CA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
3h 59m
Distance
192 mi
309 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 47m
★
6 AM
4h 0m
8 AM
4h 26m
10 AM
4h 9m
12 PM
4h 6m
3 PM
4h 10m
5 PM
4h 24m
8 PM
3h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alta Sierra, CA
Patrick Gamelkoorn
Long Beach, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 192-mile drive from Alta Sierra, CA to Long Beach, CA is designed for a single day, taking approximately 4 hours. You'll primarily be on the Golden State Freeway and I 405 Truck, with 89% of the journey on highways, making it a focused driving experience. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $44. Given the relatively short duration, this route is perfectly suited for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. Both your origin and destination are within the Pacific Coast region, so you'll be traversing familiar territory throughout.
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
96 miles from Alta Sierra, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 5m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 192-mile trip. With 89% of the route on major freeways like the Golden State Freeway and I 405 Truck, the pace is generally quick. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 88 miles on the Golden State Freeway. While predominantly highway, this type of drive often involves navigating through urban and suburban environments, so be prepared for varying traffic conditions as you approach your destination. The road character is consistent, prioritizing efficient travel over winding scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Golden State Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 88 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Golden State Freeway and Route 178. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 82.8 miles in near CA 99 / Golden State Freeway.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 192 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 82.8 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 141.1 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 145.1 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
82.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 50m in
|
CA 99 / Golden State Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99 / Golden State Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
141.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 57m 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
145.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 2m 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
145.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 2m 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
189.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 54m 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,...
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Golden State Freeway | 88 mi | 1h 39m |
| Route 178 | 31.9 mi | 46m |
| I 405 Truck | 23 mi | 26m |
| San Diego Freeway | 18 mi | 20m |
| CHP Officer David W. Manning Memorial Freeway | 7.3 mi | 8m |
| Evans Road | 7.3 mi | 10m |
| Wofford Heights Boulevard | 6.5 mi | 9m |
| Long Beach Freeway | 2.4 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Golden State Freeway
— 88 mi, about 1h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alta Sierra, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on Old State Road
486 ft
·
21 sec
·
Old State Road
2
Continue on Old State Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Old State Road
3
Turn right onto CA 155
7.3 mi
·
10 min
·
Evans Road
4
Turn sharp right onto CA 155
6.5 mi
·
9 min
·
Wofford Heights Boulevard
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
6
Merge onto CA 178
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Isabella Walker Pass Road
7
Continue on CA 178
32 mi
·
46 min
·
Route 178
8
Continue on CA 178
7.3 mi
·
8 min
·
CHP Officer David W. Manning Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on CA 178
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
24th Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
10
Continue on Rosedale Highway
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
Rosedale Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward CA 99 South, CA 58 East
12
Merge onto CA 99
26 mi
·
28 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
58 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
·
I 5 Truck
Exit 158
Toward I 405 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
23 mi
·
26 min
·
I 405 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
18 mi
·
20 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
377 ft
·
9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long Beach
Use the slight right lane.
19
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
this road
Exit 32B
Toward I 710 South: Long Beach
20
Merge onto I 710
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 710
0.5 mi
·
40 sec
·
Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, Aquarium
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
23
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Shoreline Drive
24
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
25
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Ocean Boulevard
26
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
27
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour drive, departing early in the morning, perhaps before 8 AM, can help you avoid potential rush hour congestion, especially as you get closer to Long Beach. With a single recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. The longest stretch without a planned stop is 88 miles, so plan your fuel and restroom breaks accordingly. Consider checking traffic conditions on the Golden State Freeway and I 405 Truck before you depart, as these are major arteries. The $44 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to have a little extra buffer.
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 96 miles from Alta Sierra, CA, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88 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 80 miles or 1h 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96 miles or 2h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 16m
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 Alta Sierra, 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 Alta Sierra, CA
This is one driving day of about 192 miles and 3h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Alta Sierra, 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 Golden State Freeway for about 88 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 96 mi from Alta Sierra, CA · 2h 5m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
96 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 96 miles from Alta Sierra, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Golden State Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 88 miles.
Arriving in Long Beach, CA
The final approach into Long Beach, CA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Long Beach, CA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.13 one way
$88.26 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
67 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $45.48 | $90.95 |
| premium | $6.18 | $46.69 | $93.38 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $42.39 | $84.78 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 57.6 | 0 | $20.16 | $9.22 |
| Efficient EV | 48 | 0 | $16.80 | $7.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 76.8 | 0 | $26.88 | $12.29 |
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Destination
Long Beach, CA
Night in Long Beach on Tuesday
Local time
9:55 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
13 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 59m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Alta Sierra, CA to Long Beach, CA covers 192 miles and takes about 3h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Golden State Freeway, Route 178, I 405 Truck. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 96 miles from Alta Sierra, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.13 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 192 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 82.8 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 141.1 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 145.1 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Alta Sierra, CA to Long Beach, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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