Trip from Arcata, CA to Long Beach, CA

Drive Time

13h 6m

Distance

676.4 mi

1,089 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$157

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min

4 AM

12h 55m ★

6 AM

13h 7m

8 AM

13h 30m

10 AM

13h 15m

12 PM

13h 13m

3 PM

13h 16m

5 PM

13h 29m

8 PM

13h 0m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Arcata, CA

Ashish Durgude

Long Beach, CA

Saidamir Mukhitdinov

Trip Overview

The drive from Arcata, CA to Long Beach, CA covers 676.4 miles and takes about 13h 6m behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.

The route leans on Redwood Highway, Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is long-distance drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 251.9 miles on Redwood Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $156.64 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

3 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

338.2 miles from Arcata, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 6h 52m into the drive .

Drive Character

At 676.4 miles and 13h 6m of driving, this is a route where fuel stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single turn. The main roads are Redwood Highway and Westside Freeway.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 35 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Redwood Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 251.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

At 13h 6m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 676.4 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 0.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 262.4 miles (I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 279.7 miles (I 580 / Interstate Highway 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 27 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in

Take the exit toward 14th Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward 14th Street

262.4 mi into trip | ~5h 23m in | I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway toward I 580: Richmond Bridge, Oakland

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 451B Toward I 580: Richmond Bridge, Oakland

279.7 mi into trip | ~5h 45m in | I 580 / Interstate Highway 80

Keep slight left at fork onto I 580 / Interstate Highway 80 toward I 580 East, I 880 South: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton, Alameda, San Jose

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 580 East, I 880 South: Downtown Oaklan...

280 mi into trip | ~5h 46m in | I 580 / MacArthur Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 580 / MacArthur Freeway toward I 580: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 580: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockt...

629.5 mi into trip | ~12h 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

Towns Along This Route

Between Arcata, CA and Long Beach, CA, road signs point toward Oakland, Hayward, Stockton, Alameda and San Jose.

Oakland

262.4 mi in | ~5h 23m | via I 580

Hayward

279.7 mi in | ~5h 45m | via I 580

Stockton

279.7 mi in | ~5h 45m | via I 580

Alameda

279.7 mi in | ~5h 45m | via I 580

San Jose

279.7 mi in | ~5h 45m | via I 580

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Redwood Highway	251.9 mi	5h 5m
Westside Freeway	224.4 mi	4h
I 5 Truck	58.6 mi	1h 7m
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway	29.3 mi	33m
I 405 Truck	23 mi	26m
San Diego Freeway	18 mi	20m
William Elton Brown Freeway	17 mi	18m
MacArthur Freeway	16.4 mi	18m

Longest stretch: Redwood Highway — 251.9 mi, about 5h 5m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Arcata, CA and Long Beach, CA.

Start on this road

296 ft · 7 sec · this road

Merge onto US 101

0.1 mi · 9 sec · Redwood Highway

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 34 sec

Toward 14th Street Use the slight right lane.

Turn left onto 14th Street

471 ft · 20 sec · 14th Street

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 25 sec

Use the left lane.

Merge onto US 101

6.7 mi · 9 min · Redwood Highway

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 101

1.5 mi · 4 min · 4th Street

Use the left / right lanes.

Turn left onto US 101

3.0 mi · 6 min · Broadway Street

Use the left / right lanes.

Continue on US 101

129 mi · 2 hr 38 min · Redwood Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 101

5.4 mi · 6 min · Willits Bypass

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 101; CA 20

116 mi · 2 hr 18 min · Redwood Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 580

14 mi · 17 min · John T. Knox Freeway

Exit 451B Toward I 580: Richmond Bridge, Oakland Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 80; I 580

3.8 mi · 4 min · Eastshore Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 580

0.3 mi · 21 sec · Interstate Highway 80

Toward I 580 East, I 880 South: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton, Alameda, San Jose Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 580

16 mi · 18 min · MacArthur Freeway

Toward I 580: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 580

12 mi · 13 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 580

18 mi · 20 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 580

11 mi · 11 min · William Elton Brown Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 580

5.9 mi · 6 min · William Elton Brown Freeway

Merge onto I 5

224 mi · 4 hr · Westside Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck

58 mi · 1 hr 6 min · I 5 Truck

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

4.1 mi · 4 min · Golden State Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck

23 mi · 26 min · I 405 Truck

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 405

18 mi · 20 min · San Diego Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

377 ft · 9 sec

Toward I 710 South: Long Beach Use the slight right lane.

Continue on this road

0.3 mi · 39 sec · this road

Exit 32B Toward I 710 South: Long Beach

Merge onto I 710

2.4 mi · 3 min · Long Beach Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 710

0.5 mi · 40 sec · Seaside Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec

Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, Aquarium Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Continue on Shoreline Drive

1.3 mi · 2 min · Shoreline Drive

Turn left onto South Chestnut Place

0.2 mi · 30 sec · South Chestnut Place

Use the left / uturn lanes.

Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Ocean Boulevard

Continue on East Ocean Boulevard

0.1 mi · 21 sec · East Ocean Boulevard

Use the left lane.

Arrive at destination

East Ocean Boulevard

Trip Plan

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.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.

Plan roughly 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 338.2 miles from Arcata, CA, or about 6h 52m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 251.9 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 149 miles or 3h 9m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 338.2 miles or 6h 52m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 338.2 miles or 6h 52m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 11h 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 Arcata, 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.

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Arcata, CA

Aim for roughly 338 miles and 6.6 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Long Beach, CA

Aim for roughly 338 miles and 6.6 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 149 miles from Arcata, CA.

This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.

Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on Redwood Highway for about 251.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 338.2 mi from Arcata, CA · 6h 52m into the drive

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

Windsor, CA

223 mi into the route

Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch

This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

Hayward, CA

446 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Hayward, CA

Popular next leg

Hayward, CA to Long Beach, CA

381.9 mi · 6h 4m

Overnight Options

Night 1

Santa Rosa, CA

338 mi · about 6.6h in

A practical overnight split lands near Santa Rosa, CA after about 338 miles or 6.6 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

McKinleyville, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 149 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Santa Rosa, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 338.7 miles from Arcata, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 339 miles or 5.5 hours on the road.

Final-third reset

Rest stop

Plan one more short stretch-and-water break in the final third of the drive so the last arrival window feels easier.

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.

On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Long Beach, CA with some flexibility left in the schedule.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of American civilians on the WWII home front. Discover how diverse communities lived, worked, and interacted. Many faces, many stories, many truths...

7 mi from route ~16 min detour Free near mile 280.3

View on nps.gov

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park celebrates America’s maritime heritage on the Pacific Coast. Our 50-acre park has grown around Aquatic Park Cove, a protected area...

7 mi from route ~18 min detour Free near mile 280.3

View on nps.gov

Muir Woods National Monument

National Monument

Walk among old growth coast redwoods, cooling their roots in the fresh water of Redwood Creek and lifting their crowns to reach the sun and fog. Federally protected as a National Monument since 1908,...

10 mi from route ~26 min detour $15 near mile 256.9

View on nps.gov

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

Experience a park so rich it supports 19 distinct ecosystems with over 2,000 plant and animal species. Go for a hike, enjoy a vista, have a picnic or learn about the centuries of overlapping history f...

13 mi from route ~32 min detour Free near mile 256.9

View on nps.gov

Point Reyes National Seashore

National Seashore

From its thunderous ocean breakers crashing against rocky headlands and expansive sand beaches to its open grasslands, brushy hillsides, and forested ridges, Point Reyes offers visitors over 1500 spec...

19 mi from route ~47 min detour Free near mile 256.9

View on nps.gov

Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial

National Memorial

On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two s...

21 mi from route ~53 min detour Free near mile 280.3

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$156.64 one way

$313.27 round trip

$5.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 237 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$6.07	$161.54	$323.07
premium	$6.24	$166.25	$332.50
diesel	$5.64	$150.27	$300.55

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$157

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$287–$397

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 236.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $71 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	202.9	2	$71.02	$32.47
Efficient EV	169.1	1	$59.18	$27.06
EV Truck/SUV	270.6	3	$94.70	$43.29

Gas CO2

237 kg

EV CO2

79 kg (67% less)

Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Arcata, CA

Morning in Arcata on Monday

Local time

7:23 AM

PDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Long Beach, CA

Morning in Long Beach on Monday

Local time

7:23 AM

PDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

38°F

Hayward, CA

446 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.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

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

27 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

13h 6m on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Arcata, CA to Long Beach, CA covers 676.4 miles and takes about 13h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Redwood Highway, Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 338 miles on day one.

The midpoint is about 338.2 miles from Arcata, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $156.64 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

Plan about 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Between Arcata, CA and Long Beach, CA, road signs point toward Oakland, Hayward, Stockton, Alameda and San Jose.

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Trip from Arcata, CA to Long Beach, CA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Overnight Options

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Long Beach, CA

National Parks Near This Route

Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

Muir Woods National Monument

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Point Reyes National Seashore

Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Arcata, CA

Long Beach, CA

Same local time

27 degrees warmer at arrival

13h 6m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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