Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Culver City, CA to Long Beach, CA

Drive Time

36m

Distance

26.6 mi

43 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$6

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 9 min
4 AM
0h 33m ★
6 AM
0h 36m
8 AM
0h 42m
10 AM
0h 38m
12 PM
0h 38m
3 PM
0h 39m
5 PM
0h 42m
8 PM
0h 34m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Culver City, CA, CA

Culver City, CA

Stephen Leonardi

Downtown Long Beach, CA, CA

Long Beach, CA

Saidamir Mukhitdinov

Trip Overview

The drive from Culver City, CA to Long Beach, CA covers 26.6 miles and takes about 36m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on San Diego Freeway, Long Beach Freeway, Culver Boulevard for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 18.9 miles on San Diego Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $6.16 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

13.3 miles from Culver City, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 17m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 36m highway drive covering 26.6 miles, with most of the trip on San Diego Freeway and Long Beach Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 18.9 miles on San Diego Freeway.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
San Diego Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 18.9 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

106 ft 7 ft

Total Climb

92 ft

Total Descent

179 ft

Highest Point

106 ft

~8.9 mi in

Elevation Range

98 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on San Diego Freeway and Long Beach Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 26.6 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 1.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles (I 405 / San Diego Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles (I 405 / San Diego Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

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

6
1.7 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the ramp toward I 405 South

Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 405 South
5
2 mi into trip | ~4m in | I 405 / San Diego Freeway

Merge onto I 405 / San Diego Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
2.9 mi into trip | ~5m in | I 405 / San Diego Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 / San Diego Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
20.9 mi into trip | ~26m in

Take the exit toward I 710 South: Long Beach

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 710 South: Long Beach
7
24.2 mi into trip | ~30m 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 Along This Route

Between Culver City, CA and Long Beach, CA, road signs point toward Convention Center and Aquarium.

Convention Center

24.2 mi in | ~30m

Aquarium

24.2 mi in | ~30m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
San Diego Freeway 18.9 mi 21m
Long Beach Freeway 2.4 mi 3m
Culver Boulevard 1.6 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
East Ocean Boulevard 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: San Diego Freeway — 18.9 mi, about 21m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Duquesne Avenue

33 ft · 0 sec · Duquesne Avenue
2

Turn left onto Culver Boulevard

1.6 mi · 3 min · Culver Boulevard
Use the straight / left lanes.
3

Turn left onto Sawtelle Boulevard

446 ft · 11 sec · Sawtelle Boulevard
4

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward I 405 South Use the slight right lane.
5

Merge onto I 405

1.0 mi · 1 min · San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight right at fork onto I 405

18 mi · 20 min · San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

377 ft · 9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long Beach Use the slight right lane.
8

Continue on this road

0.3 mi · 39 sec · this road
Exit 32B Toward I 710 South: Long Beach
9

Merge onto I 710

2.4 mi · 3 min · Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on I 710

0.5 mi · 40 sec · Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, Aquarium Use the slight left / straight lanes.
12

Continue on Shoreline Drive

1.3 mi · 2 min · Shoreline Drive
13

Turn left onto South Chestnut Place

0.2 mi · 30 sec · South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
14

Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Ocean Boulevard
15

Continue on East Ocean Boulevard

0.1 mi · 21 sec · East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
16

Arrive at destination

East Ocean Boulevard

Trip Plan

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 13.3 miles from Culver City, CA, or about 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 18.9 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 26.6 miles or 36m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 13.3 miles or 17m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 28m

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 Culver City, 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 Culver City, CA

This is one driving day of about 26.6 miles and 36m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Culver City, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on San Diego Freeway for about 18.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 13.3 mi from Culver City, CA · 17m into the drive

Downtown los-angeles-ca

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Los Angeles, CA

13 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

Los Angeles, CA to Long Beach, CA

24.9 mi · 34m

Pacing Suggestions

Huntington Beach, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 26.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Los Angeles, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 13.3 miles from Culver City, 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$6.16 one way

$12.32 round trip

$5.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 9 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.07 $6.35 $12.71
premium $6.24 $6.54 $13.08
diesel $5.64 $5.91 $11.82

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$6

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$31–$56

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 9.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 8 0 $2.79 $1.28
Efficient EV 6.7 0 $2.33 $1.06
EV Truck/SUV 10.6 0 $3.72 $1.70

Gas CO2

9 kg

EV CO2

3 kg (67% 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 data refreshed 7 hours ago

Origin

Culver City, CA

Afternoon in Culver City on Sunday

Local time

1:37 PM

PDT

Current temp

65°F

Rain

SW 5 to 10 mph 100% chance Live forecast

Winter Storm Warning

Winter Storm Warning issued April 12 at 5:46AM PDT until April 12 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA

Winter Storm Warning

Winter Storm Warning issued April 12 at 4:42AM PDT until April 12 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Sacramento CA

Destination

Long Beach, CA

Afternoon in Long Beach on Sunday

Local time

1:37 PM

PDT

Current temp

74°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

9 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

36m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Culver City, CA to Long Beach, CA covers 26.6 miles and takes about 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are San Diego Freeway, Long Beach Freeway, Culver Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 13.3 miles from Culver City, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.16 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 26.6 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 1.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles (I 405 / San Diego Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles (I 405 / San Diego Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Culver City, CA and Long Beach, CA, road signs point toward Convention Center and Aquarium.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Long Beach, CA to Culver City, CA

Plan the drive back the other way.

26.3 mi 35m

Continue From Long Beach, CA

Willow Creek, CA 667.1 mi · 12h 23m Susanville, CA 594.5 mi · 11h 29m East Quincy, CA 553 mi · 10h 42m Auburn, CA 440.9 mi · 8h 9m

More from Culver City, CA

Oakland, CA 370.1 mi · 6h 49m Fontana, CA 60.7 mi · 1h 13m Anaheim, CA 34.7 mi · 45m Los Angeles, CA 10.4 mi · 15m

More trips to Long Beach, CA

Willow Creek, CA 666.9 mi Susanville, CA 594.9 mi East Quincy, CA 557.5 mi Red Bluff, CA 538.4 mi Clearlake Oaks, CA 510.2 mi Cloverdale, CA 483.3 mi

Explore more options from Culver City, CA or browse trips ending in Long Beach, CA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.

Explore maps for Culver City, CA or Long Beach, CA on MapSof.net.