This 375.6-mile drive from Ben Lomond, CA to Long Beach, CA is a substantial undertaking, estimated to take about 7 hours and 18 minutes of driving time. With a highway share of 78%, it's primarily a highway-focused journey that can realistically be completed in a single day, though you might appreciate an early start to make the most of it. Expect to budget around $86 for fuel for this trip. The route cuts across California, moving from the Pacific Coast region towards the same region, offering a direct path south.
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
187.8 miles from Ben Lomond, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 45m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 18m. Total distance: 375.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 18m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
The character of this drive is predominantly highway. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on major routes, with 78% of the total mileage on highways. Expect a long, uninterrupted stretch of 181.1 miles on the Westside Freeway, which will likely form the backbone of your journey. While the main roads list includes Pacheco Pass Highway, the overall profile points to a more efficient, faster-paced drive rather than a winding, scenic exploration. It's a route built for covering distance.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 41 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 181.1 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 266.3 miles in near I 5 Truck.
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 29 significant decision points across 375.6 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 266.3 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 324.7 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 328.8 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 29 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
266.3 mi into trip|~5h 9m 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
324.7 mi into trip|~6h 16m 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
328.8 mi into trip|~6h 21m 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
329 mi into trip|~6h 21m 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
373.2 mi into trip|~7h 13m 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,...
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 Ben Lomond, CA to Long Beach, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Gilroy along the way.
Gilroy
23.3 mi in|~35m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
181.1 mi
3h 14m
I 5 Truck
58.6 mi
1h 7m
Pacheco Pass Highway
35.8 mi
42m
I 405 Truck
23 mi
26m
San Diego Freeway
18 mi
20m
Cabrillo Highway
14 mi
16m
Riverside Road
9.5 mi
13m
Graham Hill Road
5.7 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 181.1 mi, about 3h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ben Lomond, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on Glen Arbor Road
0.1 mi·25 sec·Glen Arbor Road
2
Turn left onto CA 9
2.9 mi·6 min·Highway 9
3
Turn left onto Graham Hill Road
5.7 mi·10 min·Graham Hill Road
4
Continue on Ocean Street
0.4 mi·49 sec·Ocean Street
5
Continue on Plymouth Street
283 ft·5 sec·Plymouth Street
6
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·11 sec
7
Merge onto CA 1
14 mi·16 min·Cabrillo Highway
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward CA 152: Watsonville, Gilroy
9
Continue on CA 152
1.4 mi·2 min·Main Street
10
Continue on CA 152
0.4 mi·52 sec·Main Street
11
Turn left onto CA 152
0.5 mi·1 min·East Beach Street
12
Turn right onto Blackburn Street
0.3 mi·52 sec·Blackburn Street
13
Turn left onto CA 129
222 ft·7 sec·East Riverside Drive
14
Continue on CA 129
0.8 mi·1 min·Riverside Road
15
Enter roundabout onto Riverside Road
92 ft·1 sec·Riverside Road
16
Continue on Riverside Road
8.6 mi·11 min·Riverside Road
17
Continue on CA 129
2.6 mi·3 min·Chittenden Road
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi·31 sec
19
Merge onto US 101
2.4 mi·2 min·El Camino Real
20
Continue on US 101
3.1 mi·3 min·South Valley Freeway
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 353Toward CA 25 East
22
At end of road, turn left onto CA 25
0.7 mi·58 sec·Bloomfield Avenue
23
Continue on CR G7
3.2 mi·4 min·Bloomfield Avenue
Use the left lane.
24
Turn right onto CA 152
36 mi·42 min·Pacheco Pass Highway
25
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 5: Los Angeles
26
Merge onto I 5
181 mi·3 hr 14 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
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.
30
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
23 mi·26 min·I 405 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
18 mi·20 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit
377 ft·9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long BeachUse the slight right lane.
33
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·39 sec·this road
Exit 32BToward I 710 South: Long Beach
34
Merge onto I 710
2.4 mi·3 min·Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Continue on I 710
0.5 mi·40 sec·Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, AquariumUse the slight left / straight lanes.
37
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·Shoreline Drive
38
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
0.2 mi·30 sec·South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
39
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·West Ocean Boulevard
40
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
0.1 mi·21 sec·East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
41
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour duration, starting your drive from Ben Lomond early in the morning is your best bet to reach Long Beach comfortably. You'll have two planned stops to break up the 375.6 miles, which is ample time to refuel and stretch. The longest continuous stretch is over 181 miles, so plan your breaks accordingly to avoid fatigue. With a fuel cost estimated at $86, keeping an eye on your gauge, especially before heading into longer segments on roads like the Westside Freeway, is a practical tip.
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 187.8 miles from Ben Lomond, CA, or about 3h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 181.1 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 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 187.8 miles or 3h 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 6m
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 Ben Lomond, 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 Ben Lomond, CA
This is one driving day of about 375.6 miles and 7h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Ben Lomond, 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 181.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 187.8 mi from Ben Lomond, CA
· 3h 45m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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 336.8
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...
29 mi from route
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 259.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$86.33 one way
$172.66 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg131 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$88.96
$177.92
premium
$6.18
$91.34
$182.68
diesel
$5.61
$82.93
$165.86
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$86
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$111–$136
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 131.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
112.7
1
$39.44
$18.03
Efficient EV
93.9
1
$32.87
$15.02
EV Truck/SUV
150.2
1
$52.58
$24.04
Gas CO2
131 kg
EV CO2
44 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.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Ben Lomond, CA
Morning
in Ben Lomond on Friday
Local time
6:39 AM
PDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Long Beach, CA
Morning
in Long Beach on Friday
Local time
6:39 AM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Partly Sunny
SW 10 mph0% chanceLive 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
17 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 18m 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 Ben Lomond, CA to Long Beach, CA covers 375.6 miles and takes about 7h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, Pacheco Pass Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 187.8 miles from Ben Lomond, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $86.33 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 375.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 266.3 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 324.7 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 328.8 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Ben Lomond, CA to Long Beach, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Gilroy along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and César E. Chávez National Monument.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets —
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap
for geometry@if($hasFuel),
EIA
for fuel prices@endif@if($hasWeather),
NOAA Climate Normals
for seasonal conditions@endif@if($hasElevation),
USGS 3DEP
for elevation@endif@if($hasEv),
NREL
for EV charging@endif@if($hasParks),
and NPS
for national parks@endif. See our
methodology
for refresh cadence and limitations.
