Origin
Buellton, CA
Evening in Buellton on Friday
Local time
7:31 PM
PDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Buellton, CA to Long Beach, CA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 8m
Distance
158.7 mi
255 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 57m
★
6 AM
3h 8m
8 AM
3h 32m
10 AM
3h 16m
12 PM
3h 14m
3 PM
3h 18m
5 PM
3h 30m
8 PM
3h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Buellton, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Long Beach, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 158.7-mile drive from Buellton, CA to Long Beach, CA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, typically taking around 3 hours and 8 minutes. The vast majority of this journey, 98%, is on well-established highways, making it a predominantly highway-focused experience. You'll be traveling primarily on US 101 and then transitioning to the San Diego Freeway and Long Beach Freeway. With an estimated fuel cost of $36, this route offers an economical way to travel between these two Pacific Coast locations. It's a straightforward and efficient drive, perfect for getting from point A to point B without extensive planning.
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
79.4 miles from Buellton, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .
About the Cities
Arriving in Long Beach, CA
Full guide →Long Beach is a large port city in Los Angeles County in Southern California. Long Beach has some nice people-gathering amenities and genuine tourist attractions, such as a world-class aquarium and the Queen Mary floating museum/hotel. Special events are also held in the city like the annual Long Beach Grand Prix (a premier racing event held on city streets) and the annual Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride event. When compared to other areas like Hollywood, West Hollywood, Santa Monica and West L.A., Long Beach may not always be at the top of someone's tourist visit to the Los Angeles area, but the city draws its fair share of visitors and has proven it can definitely hold its own.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 8m. Total distance: 158.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for almost the entire 158.7 miles, with 98% of the route utilizing major freeways. The personality of this drive is defined by its efficiency, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 120.9 miles on US 101. You'll experience the consistent pace of freeway travel for the bulk of your journey. As you progress, the transition from US 101 to the San Diego Freeway and finally the Long Beach Freeway signifies a shift in your immediate surroundings, but the driving experience remains largely consistent – open road and steady progress.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 101 is the longest continuous segment at about 120.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 101 and San Diego Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CA 246.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 15 significant decision points across 158.7 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: near the start (CA 246): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 121.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 121.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CA 246
At end of road, turn left onto CA 246
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
7
121.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 21m in
Take the exit toward I 405 North, I 405 South: Sacramento, Santa Monica
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.
Toward I 405 North, I 405 South: Sacramento, Sa...
9
121.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 21m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 405 South: San Diego Freeway, Santa Monica
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 405 South: San Diego Freeway, Santa Mo...
8
121.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 22m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 405 South: San Diego Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 405 South: San Diego Freeway
7
156.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 3m 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 Buellton, CA to Long Beach, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Santa Monica along the way.
Santa Monica
121.2 mi in
|
~2h 21m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 101 | 120.9 mi | 2h 20m |
| San Diego Freeway | 31.3 mi | 36m |
| Long Beach Freeway | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Shoreline Drive | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| West Ocean Boulevard | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Seaside Freeway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| South Chestnut Place | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| CA 246 | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 101
— 120.9 mi, about 2h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buellton, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on this road
162 ft
·
17 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn left onto CA 246
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
CA 246
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward CA 246
4
Merge onto US 101
121 mi
·
2 hr 20 min
·
US 101
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward I 405 North, I 405 South: Sacramento, Santa Monica
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 405 South: San Diego Freeway, Santa Monica
Use the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Toward I 405 South: San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 405
13 mi
·
15 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
18 mi
·
20 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
377 ft
·
9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long Beach
Use the slight right lane.
11
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
this road
Exit 32B
Toward I 710 South: Long Beach
12
Merge onto I 710
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 710
0.5 mi
·
40 sec
·
Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, Aquarium
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
15
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Shoreline Drive
16
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
17
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Ocean Boulevard
18
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
19
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of about 3 hours, this 158.7-mile trip is ideal for a single-day adventure, offering flexibility in your departure time. Consider an early morning start to minimize traffic, especially as you approach the Los Angeles metropolitan area. With only one recommended stop and a highway share of 98%, you can easily complete the drive without significant breaks, though it's always wise to plan for a fuel stop, budgeted at around $36. Keep an eye on signage as you transition between US 101, the San Diego Freeway, and the Long Beach Freeway to ensure you stay on track for Long Beach.
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 79.4 miles from Buellton, CA, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 120.9 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 35 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.4 miles or 1h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 31m
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 Buellton, 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 Buellton, CA
This is one driving day of about 158.7 miles and 3h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Buellton, 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 US 101 for about 120.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 79.4 mi from Buellton, CA · 1h 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
79 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 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 79.4 miles from Buellton, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 101 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 120.9 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
$36.48 one way
$72.95 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $37.59 | $75.18 |
| premium | $6.18 | $38.59 | $77.19 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.04 | $70.08 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47.6 | 0 | $16.66 | $7.62 |
| Efficient EV | 39.7 | 0 | $13.89 | $6.35 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 63.5 | 0 | $22.22 | $10.16 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% 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
Evening in Long Beach on Friday
Local time
7:31 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
11 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 8m 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 Buellton, CA to Long Beach, CA covers 158.7 miles and takes about 3h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 101, San Diego Freeway, Long Beach 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 79.4 miles from Buellton, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.48 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 15 significant decision points across 158.7 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: near the start (CA 246): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 121.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 121.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Buellton, CA to Long Beach, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Santa Monica along the way.
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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