Origin
Fairmead, CA
Afternoon in Fairmead on Thursday
Local time
3:39 PM
PDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fairmead, CA to Long Beach, CA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
5h 11m
Distance
274.6 mi
442 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$63
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 58m
★
6 AM
5h 12m
8 AM
5h 39m
10 AM
5h 21m
12 PM
5h 18m
3 PM
5h 23m
5 PM
5h 37m
8 PM
5h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fairmead, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Long Beach, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 274.6-mile drive from Fairmead, CA to Long Beach, CA is comfortably managed in about 5 hours and 11 minutes, making it a feasible day trip. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, including the Golden State Freeway and CA 99, with a highway share of 77%. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $63. This route offers a straightforward, highway-focused experience connecting two points within the Pacific Coast region. With just one recommended stop, you can expect a relatively uninterrupted journey, though the longest stretch without a break is a significant 94.8 miles on the Golden State Freeway.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
137.3 miles from Fairmead, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 31m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 11m. Total distance: 274.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, with 77% of the route utilizing freeways. You'll primarily navigate on the Golden State Freeway and Golden State Highway, alongside CA 99. The character of the drive is largely consistent, characterized by efficient travel through California's Central Valley. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 94.8 miles on the Golden State Freeway, so be prepared for extended periods of steady highway driving. While not known for dramatic scenic changes, this route prioritizes directness and speed.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Golden State Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 94.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Golden State Freeway and Golden State Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 33.4 miles in near CA 99.
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 22 significant decision points across 274.6 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 33.4 miles (CA 99): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 74.3 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 138.1 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
33.4 mi into trip
|
~40m in
|
CA 99
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
74.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m in
|
CA 99 / Golden State Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99 / Golden State Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
138.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 32m in
|
CA 99 / Golden State Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99 / Golden State Freeway toward CA 99 South: Los Angeles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 99 South: Los Angeles
8
227.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 14m 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
7
272.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 6m 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Golden State Freeway | 94.8 mi | 1h 47m |
| Golden State Highway | 58.6 mi | 1h 2m |
| CA 99 | 41 mi | 44m |
| Southbound California State Route 99 | 31.7 mi | 35m |
| I 405 Truck | 23 mi | 26m |
| San Diego Freeway | 18 mi | 20m |
| Long Beach Freeway | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Shoreline Drive | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Golden State Freeway
— 94.8 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairmead, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on Avenue 22 1/2
58 ft
·
5 sec
·
Avenue 22 1/2
2
Turn left onto Road 19 1/2
189 ft
·
8 sec
·
Road 19 1/2
3
Continue on Sinclair Drive
389 ft
·
20 sec
·
Sinclair Drive
4
Turn left onto Fairmead Circle
0.1 mi
·
33 sec
·
Fairmead Circle
5
At end of road, turn left onto Fairmead Boulevard
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Fairmead Boulevard
6
Turn left onto Avenue 22
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
Avenue 22
7
Turn right onto Road 20
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
Road 20
8
Continue on Avenue 21 1/2
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
Avenue 21 1/2
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
10
Merge onto CA 99
32 mi
·
35 min
·
Southbound California State Route 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
41 mi
·
44 min
·
CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
59 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
Golden State Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on CA 99
5.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
27 mi
·
30 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Toward CA 99 South: Los Angeles
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
58 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
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.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
23 mi
·
26 min
·
I 405 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
18 mi
·
20 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
377 ft
·
9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long Beach
Use the slight right lane.
21
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
this road
Exit 32B
Toward I 710 South: Long Beach
22
Merge onto I 710
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 710
0.5 mi
·
40 sec
·
Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, Aquarium
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
25
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Shoreline Drive
26
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
27
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Ocean Boulevard
28
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
29
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour, 11-minute drive, departing early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential traffic as you approach the Los Angeles area. Given the 274.6-mile distance and the highway-focused profile, you can easily complete this in one day with just one planned stop. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 94.8-mile stretch on the Golden State Freeway, where services might be less frequent. The $63 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a little extra for unexpected detours or varying gas prices.
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 137.3 miles from Fairmead, CA, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.8 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 60 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.3 miles or 2h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 11m
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 Fairmead, 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 Fairmead, CA
This is one driving day of about 274.6 miles and 5h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Fairmead, 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 Golden State Freeway for about 94.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 137.3 mi from Fairmead, CA · 2h 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
137 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 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 137.3 miles from Fairmead, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Golden State Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 94.8 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$63.11 one way
$126.23 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
96 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $65.04 | $130.08 |
| premium | $6.18 | $66.78 | $133.56 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $60.63 | $121.26 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$63
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$88–$113
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 82.4 | 1 | $28.83 | $13.18 |
| Efficient EV | 68.7 | 0 | $24.03 | $10.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 109.8 | 1 | $38.44 | $17.57 |
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Long Beach, CA
Afternoon in Long Beach on Thursday
Local time
3:39 PM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Sunny
WNW 0 to 10 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 9:35AM PDT until April 15 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Lake Wind Advisory
Lake Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 12:37AM PDT until April 15 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Reno NV
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
14 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
5h 11m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Fairmead, CA to Long Beach, CA covers 274.6 miles and takes about 5h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Golden State Freeway, Golden State Highway, CA 99. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 137.3 miles from Fairmead, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $63.11 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 274.6 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 33.4 miles (CA 99): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 74.3 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 138.1 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Fairmead, CA to Long Beach, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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