Origin
Dixon, CA
Morning in Dixon on Friday
Local time
9:51 AM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 54m
Distance
427.4 mi
688 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$98
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dixon, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Long Beach, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Planning a trip from Dixon, California, to Long Beach, California? This 427.4-mile journey is designed for a single day, clocking in at approximately 7 hours and 54 minutes of pure driving time. You'll be spending about 95% of your time on major highways, primarily utilizing Westside Freeway and I-5 Truck before transitioning to I-405 Truck. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $98, making it a relatively budget-friendly option for covering significant ground. With just two recommended stops, this route prioritizes efficient travel between the Pacific Coast regions of Northern and Southern California.
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
213.7 miles from Dixon, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 54m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 54m. Total distance: 427.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 54m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Expect a highway-focused drive for the vast majority of this 427.4-mile route, with 95% of your travel on major interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 296.5 miles on Westside Freeway, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. This isn't a winding, scenic byway; rather, it’s a direct path designed for covering distance efficiently. You'll primarily be on Westside Freeway, I-5 Truck, and I-405 Truck, which means a consistent, high-speed driving experience for most of the nearly 8-hour duration.
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 17.9 miles in near US 50; I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway.
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 21 significant decision points across 427.4 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 17.9 miles (US 50; I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50; I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway toward Sacramento, South Lake Tahoe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 5 North, I 5 South: Redding, Los Angeles
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 5 South: Los Angeles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 405 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 296.5 mi | 5h 19m |
| I 5 Truck | 58.6 mi | 1h 7m |
| I 405 Truck | 23 mi | 26m |
| San Diego Freeway | 18 mi | 20m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 12 mi | 13m |
| Golden State Freeway | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| Yolo Causeway | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| Capital City Freeway | 3.3 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Dixon, CA and Long Beach, CA.
Start on West A Street
Turn left onto CA 113
Take the ramp onto CA 113
Merge onto I 80; CA 113
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Continue on I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50; I 80 Business
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
Take the exit
Continue on this road
Merge onto I 710
Continue on I 710
Take the exit
Continue on Shoreline Drive
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
Arrive at destination
Given the 7-hour and 54-minute estimated drive time, this route is best tackled as a single-day trip, but starting early is key to avoiding the heaviest traffic. Aim to depart Dixon before 7 AM to maximize your daylight hours and minimize your time on the road. With only two stops planned over 427.4 miles, consider making them efficient breaks for fuel and a quick stretch, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 296.5 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $98 estimated cost suggests a steady consumption rate, and plan your refueling accordingly.
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.
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 94 miles or 1h 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 213.7 miles or 3h 54m 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Long Beach, CA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Dixon, 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 Dixon, CA
This is one driving day of about 427.4 miles and 7h 54m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 213.7 mi from Dixon, CA · 3h 54m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
214 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.
A short stop after about 94 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 213.7 miles from Dixon, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 296.5 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$98.23 one way
$196.47 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $101.23 | $202.46 |
| premium | $6.18 | $103.94 | $207.88 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $94.36 | $188.73 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$98
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$123–$148
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 149.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $45 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 128.2 | 1 | $44.88 | $20.52 |
| Efficient EV | 106.9 | 1 | $37.40 | $17.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 171 | 2 | $59.84 | $27.35 |
Gas CO2
150 kg
EV CO2
50 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Dixon on Friday
Local time
9:51 AM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Long Beach on Friday
Local time
9:51 AM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Dixon, CA or browse trips ending in Long Beach, CA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.