Origin
Ashland, CA
Morning in Ashland on Friday
Local time
6:50 AM
PDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ashland, CA to Long Beach, CA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 4m
Distance
381.9 mi
615 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$88
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 53m
★
6 AM
7h 5m
8 AM
7h 27m
10 AM
7h 12m
12 PM
7h 10m
3 PM
7h 13m
5 PM
7h 26m
8 PM
6h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ashland, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Long Beach, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embarking from Ashland, CA, and heading to Long Beach, CA, this 381.9-mile journey is designed for a single day of driving, estimated to take around 7 hours and 4 minutes. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 99% of the drive utilizing major freeways like the Westside Freeway and I-5 Truck. Given its manageable duration and highway nature, it’s a feasible day trip, though you might consider an early start to allow for flexibility. Expect a fuel cost of approximately $88 for this Pacific Coast to Pacific Coast stretch within California. This drive offers a straightforward transit experience, connecting two points within the same state.
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
190.9 miles from Ashland, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 28m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 4m. Total distance: 381.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 4m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 99% of your travel on major freeways. You'll spend most of your time on roads like the Westside Freeway and the Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 224.4 miles on the Westside Freeway, meaning you can cover a lot of ground between exits. While it's largely a consistent highway experience, the focus is on efficient travel rather than varied scenery.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Westside Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 224.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 0.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 381.9 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 0.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 13.3 miles (I 580 / Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 272.6 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
0.8 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward I 238 South: Castro Valley Freeway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 238 South: Castro Valley Freeway
6
13.3 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
I 580 / Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580 / Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
272.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 55m 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.
8
335 mi into trip
|
~6h 7m 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
379.4 mi into trip
|
~6h 59m 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 224.4 mi | 4h |
| I 5 Truck | 58.6 mi | 1h 7m |
| Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway | 30.2 mi | 34m |
| I 405 Truck | 23 mi | 26m |
| San Diego Freeway | 18 mi | 20m |
| William Elton Brown Freeway | 17 mi | 18m |
| Golden State Freeway | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| Long Beach Freeway | 2.4 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 224.4 mi, about 4h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ashland, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on 164th Avenue
74 ft
·
5 sec
·
164th Avenue
2
Turn right onto CA 185
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East 14th Street
Use the right lane.
3
Turn slight right
284 ft
·
10 sec
4
Turn slight right onto East Lewelling Boulevard
486 ft
·
12 sec
·
East Lewelling Boulevard
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 238 South: Castro Valley Freeway
Use the right lane.
6
Merge onto I 238
316 ft
·
3 sec
·
Castro Valley Freeway
7
Continue on I 580
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Exit 14
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
11 mi
·
11 min
·
William Elton Brown Freeway
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
William Elton Brown Freeway
11
Merge onto I 5
224 mi
·
4 hr
·
Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
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.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
23 mi
·
26 min
·
I 405 Truck
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 Beach
Use the slight right lane.
18
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
this road
Exit 32B
Toward 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, Aquarium
Use 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
To make the most of this 7-hour, 381.9-mile drive, consider departing early in the morning to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach Southern California. With only 2 planned stops and a longest stretch of 224.4 miles, you can be strategic about when you refuel and take breaks. Aim to take your breaks roughly halfway through the longest stretches to maintain energy levels. The fuel cost is estimated at $88, so ensure your tank is full before you begin. This route is best tackled in one day, so pack snacks and drinks to minimize unnecessary stops.
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 190.9 miles from Ashland, CA, or about 3h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 224.4 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 84 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 190.9 miles or 3h 28m 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 52m
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 Ashland, 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 Ashland, CA
This is one driving day of about 381.9 miles and 7h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 miles from Ashland, 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 224.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 190.9 mi from Ashland, CA · 3h 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
191 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 84 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 190.9 miles from Ashland, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 224.4 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.
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$87.78 one way
$175.55 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
134 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $90.45 | $180.91 |
| premium | $6.18 | $92.87 | $185.75 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $84.32 | $168.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$88
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$113–$138
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 133.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 114.6 | 1 | $40.10 | $18.33 |
| Efficient EV | 95.5 | 1 | $33.42 | $15.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 152.8 | 1 | $53.47 | $24.44 |
Gas CO2
134 kg
EV CO2
45 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Long Beach, CA
Morning in Long Beach on Friday
Local time
6:50 AM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Sunny
WNW 10 mph
0% chance
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
4 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
7h 4m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Ashland, CA to Long Beach, CA covers 381.9 miles and takes about 7h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 190.9 miles from Ashland, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $87.78 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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 381.9 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 0.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 13.3 miles (I 580 / Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 272.6 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Ashland, CA to Long Beach, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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