This 406.3-mile drive from Broadmoor, CA to Long Beach, CA is designed for a single day, clocking in at around 7 hours and 44 minutes of pure driving time. You'll primarily be on the Westside Freeway and Bayshore Freeway, with a significant portion on I 5 Truck, making it an 89% highway-focused journey. The estimated fuel cost is about $95, and with two planned stops, it's a manageable day trip. This route keeps you within the Pacific Coast region throughout, offering a consistent feel as you head south. It's a straightforward, highway-centric option if you're looking for efficiency.
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
203.1 miles from Broadmoor, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 55m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 44m. Total distance: 406.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 44m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 406.3-mile trip, with 89% of it on major freeways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 181.1 miles on the Westside Freeway, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. While primarily interstate, the shift between Westside Freeway, Bayshore Freeway, and I 5 Truck will offer some variation in the road's immediate surroundings. This route emphasizes forward momentum rather than winding scenic byways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 31 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 Bayshore Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in.
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 26 significant decision points across 406.3 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 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 26 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 280 South, CA 1 South: San Jose, Pacifica
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 280 South, CA 1 South: San Jose, Pacif...
7
1 mi into trip|~2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 280 South: San Jose
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 280 South: San Jose
8
6.7 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the exit toward US 101 South: San Jose, San Francisco International Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 6A
Toward US 101 South: San Jose, San Francisco In...
8
31.8 mi into trip|~40m in|US 101 / Bayshore Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 101 / Bayshore Freeway toward US 101 South: San Jose, Los Angeles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 101 South: San Jose, Los Angeles
8
359.4 mi into trip|~6h 47m 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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Broadmoor, CA to Long Beach, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Los Angeles along the way.
Los Angeles
31.8 mi in|~40m|via US 101
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
181.1 mi
3h 14m
Bayshore Freeway
66.5 mi
1h 16m
I 5 Truck
58.6 mi
1h 7m
Pacheco Pass Highway
40.6 mi
50m
I 405 Truck
23 mi
26m
San Diego Freeway
18 mi
20m
Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi
4m
Junipero Serra Freeway
3.9 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 181.1 mi, about 3h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Broadmoor, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on Terrace View Court
0.2 mi·39 sec·Terrace View Court
2
Turn left onto Eastmoor Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Eastmoor Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Turn right onto Sullivan Avenue
0.1 mi·24 sec·Sullivan Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Take the ramp
258 ft·6 sec
Toward I 280 South, CA 1 South: San Jose, PacificaUse the straight lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward I 280 South: San JoseUse the slight left lane.
6
Merge onto I 280
3.9 mi·4 min·Junipero Serra Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit onto I 380
1.4 mi·1 min·I 380
Exit 43AToward I 380: San Francisco International AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 6AToward US 101 South: San Jose, San Francisco International AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward US 101 South: San JoseUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto US 101
24 mi·27 min·Bayshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 101
42 mi·48 min·Bayshore Freeway
Toward US 101 South: San Jose, Los AngelesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto CA 152
0.3 mi·39 sec·CA 152
Toward CA 152 East: 10th Street, Pacheco Pass Road
13
Turn left onto CA 152
353 ft·12 sec·East 10th Street
14
Continue on CA 152
41 mi·50 min·Pacheco Pass Highway
15
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 5: Los Angeles
16
Merge onto I 5
181 mi·3 hr 14 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
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.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
23 mi·26 min·I 405 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
18 mi·20 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
377 ft·9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long BeachUse the slight right lane.
23
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·39 sec·this road
Exit 32BToward I 710 South: Long Beach
24
Merge onto I 710
2.4 mi·3 min·Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 710
0.5 mi·40 sec·Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, AquariumUse the slight left / straight lanes.
27
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·Shoreline Drive
28
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
0.2 mi·30 sec·South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
29
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·West Ocean Boulevard
30
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
0.1 mi·21 sec·East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
31
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour 44-minute duration, starting your journey from Broadmoor early in the morning is your best bet to avoid the worst of traffic heading into Long Beach. With only two stops recommended, you have flexibility to make them brief or longer as needed, and the $95 fuel estimate should be kept in mind. Since 89% of this drive is highway, be mindful of speed limits and the longest stretch of 181.1 miles on Westside Freeway, ensuring you're fueled and rested before that segment. Pay attention to the I 5 Truck designation as you transition roads to stay on the most efficient path.
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 203.1 miles from Broadmoor, CA, or about 3h 55m 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 89 miles or 1h 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 203.1 miles or 3h 55m 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 32m
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 Broadmoor, 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 Broadmoor, CA
This is one driving day of about 406.3 miles and 7h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 89 miles from Broadmoor, 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 203.1 mi from Broadmoor, CA
· 3h 55m into the drive
The midpoint is around 203.1 miles from Broadmoor, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 181.1 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 364.3
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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 294.2
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
121.9
1
$42.66
$19.50
Efficient EV
101.6
1
$35.55
$16.25
EV Truck/SUV
162.5
2
$56.88
$26.00
Gas CO2
142 kg
EV CO2
48 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 15, 2026
Origin
Broadmoor, CA
Afternoon
in Broadmoor on Thursday
Local time
3:52 PM
PDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Long Beach, CA
Afternoon
in Long Beach on Thursday
Local time
3:52 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
8 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 44m 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 Broadmoor, CA to Long Beach, CA covers 406.3 miles and takes about 7h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, Bayshore Freeway, I 5 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 203.1 miles from Broadmoor, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $93.39 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 26 significant decision points across 406.3 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 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Broadmoor, CA to Long Beach, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Los Angeles along the way.
