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Trip from Buttonwillow, CA to Long Beach, CA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

2h 54m

Distance

149.7 mi

241 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 43m ★
6 AM
2h 54m
8 AM
3h 16m
10 AM
3h 2m
12 PM
3h 0m
3 PM
3h 3m
5 PM
3h 15m
8 PM
2h 48m

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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Downtown Buttonwillow, CA, CA

Buttonwillow, CA

Anna Arysheva

city in Los Angeles County, California, United States

Long Beach, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 149.7-mile drive from Buttonwillow, CA to Long Beach, CA is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend around 2 hours and 54 minutes on the road, making it an ideal day trip. The route primarily utilizes I-5 Truck and I-405 Truck, with a 95% highway share. With an estimated fuel cost of $34, this trip is budget-friendly. This drive stays within the Pacific Coast region, offering a consistent experience as you head south towards Southern California.

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

74.8 miles from Buttonwillow, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 54m. Total distance: 149.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Prepare for a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 95% of the journey taking place on major freeways like I-5 Truck and I-405 Truck. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 58.6 miles on I-5 Truck, offering a good period of consistent driving. While it's a highway-centric drive, the transition between these main arteries will define the changing character of your trip. This profile suggests a driving experience where efficiency and maintaining speed are key.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 5 Truck is the longest continuous segment at about 58.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 Truck and Westside Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 40.4 miles in near I 5 Truck.

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 16 significant decision points across 149.7 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: at 40.4 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 98.8 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.8 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

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

6
40.4 mi into trip | ~45m 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
98.8 mi into trip | ~1h 52m 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
102.8 mi into trip | ~1h 56m 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
103.1 mi into trip | ~1h 57m 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
147.3 mi into trip | ~2h 49m 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
I 5 Truck 58.6 mi 1h 7m
Westside Freeway 36.3 mi 38m
I 405 Truck 23 mi 26m
San Diego Freeway 18 mi 20m
Golden State Freeway 4.1 mi 4m
McKittrick Highway 3.9 mi 5m
Long Beach Freeway 2.4 mi 3m
Shoreline Drive 1.3 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 5 Truck — 58.6 mi, about 1h 7m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on East 1st Street

49 ft · 7 sec · East 1st Street
2

Turn left onto North Main Street

347 ft · 20 sec · North Main Street
3

Turn left onto CA 58

3.9 mi · 5 min · McKittrick Highway
4

Take the ramp onto CA 58

0.2 mi · 20 sec · CA 58
5

Merge onto I 5

36 mi · 38 min · Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck

58 mi · 1 hr 6 min · I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

4.1 mi · 4 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

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.
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck

23 mi · 26 min · I 405 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 405

18 mi · 20 min · San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

377 ft · 9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long Beach Use the slight right lane.
12

Continue on this road

0.3 mi · 39 sec · this road
Exit 32B Toward I 710 South: Long Beach
13

Merge onto I 710

2.4 mi · 3 min · Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Continue on I 710

0.5 mi · 40 sec · Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, Aquarium Use the slight left / straight lanes.
16

Continue on Shoreline Drive

1.3 mi · 2 min · Shoreline Drive
17

Turn left onto South Chestnut Place

0.2 mi · 30 sec · South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
18

Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Ocean Boulevard
19

Continue on East Ocean Boulevard

0.1 mi · 21 sec · East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
20

Arrive at destination

East Ocean Boulevard

Trip Plan

Given the manageable 2-hour and 54-minute duration, this 149.7-mile trip is perfectly suited for a single day. You'll have flexibility in when you depart, but consider leaving Buttonwillow earlier in the morning to potentially avoid heavier traffic as you approach Long Beach. With only one recommended stop, you can easily complete the journey without significant breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 58.6-mile stretch on I-5 Truck, and plan your refueling accordingly. The relatively low fuel cost of $34 makes this a practical choice for a quick excursion.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 74.8 miles from Buttonwillow, CA, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.6 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 33 miles or 37m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 74.8 miles or 1h 24m 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 19m

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 Buttonwillow, 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 Buttonwillow, CA

This is one driving day of about 149.7 miles and 2h 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Buttonwillow, 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 I 5 Truck for about 58.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 74.8 mi from Buttonwillow, CA · 1h 24m into the drive

city in Los Angeles County, California, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Santa Clarita, CA

75 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.

Popular next leg

Santa Clarita, CA to Long Beach, CA

55.9 mi · 1h 11m

Pacing Suggestions

Santa Clarita, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Santa Clarita, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 76.6 miles from Buttonwillow, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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.

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.

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

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...

17 mi from route ~43 min detour Free near mile 118.7
View on nps.gov
César E. Chávez National Monument

César E. Chávez National Monument

National Monument

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 ~67 min detour Free near mile 41.3
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$34.41 one way

$68.81 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 52 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $35.46 $70.91
premium $6.18 $36.41 $72.81
diesel $5.61 $33.05 $66.10

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$34

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$59–$84

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 52.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 44.9 0 $15.72 $7.19
Efficient EV 37.4 0 $13.10 $5.99
EV Truck/SUV 59.9 0 $20.96 $9.58

Gas CO2

52 kg

EV CO2

18 kg (65% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Buttonwillow, CA

Evening in Buttonwillow on Thursday

Local time

8:25 PM

PDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Long Beach, CA

Evening in Long Beach on Thursday

Local time

8:25 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

6 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

2h 54m 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 Buttonwillow, CA to Long Beach, CA covers 149.7 miles and takes about 2h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5 Truck, Westside Freeway, I 405 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 74.8 miles from Buttonwillow, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $34.41 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 16 significant decision points across 149.7 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: at 40.4 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 98.8 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.8 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Buttonwillow, CA to Long Beach, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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