Origin
Hamilton City, CA
Morning in Hamilton City on Friday
Local time
7:13 AM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hamilton City, CA to Long Beach, CA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
9h 32m
Distance
506.8 mi
816 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$116
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
9h 24m
★
6 AM
9h 33m
8 AM
9h 50m
10 AM
9h 39m
12 PM
9h 37m
3 PM
9h 39m
5 PM
9h 49m
8 PM
9h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hamilton City, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Long Beach, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Hamilton City, CA to Long Beach, CA covers 506.8 miles and takes about 9h 32m behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, CA 70 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is long-distance drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 303.7 miles on Westside Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $116.48 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
253.4 miles from Hamilton City, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 49m into the drive .
Drive Character
At 506.8 miles and 9h 32m of driving, this is a route where fuel stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single turn. The main roads are Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Westside Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 303.7 miles.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,864 ft
15 ft
Total Climb
3,266 ft
Total Descent
3,386 ft
Highest Point
2,864 ft
~434.4 mi in
Elevation Range
2,848 ft
Notable High Points
2,864 ft at ~434.4 miles
+1,961 ft prominence
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 22.1 miles in near CA 149.
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 25 significant decision points across 506.8 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 22.1 miles (CA 149): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.7 miles (CA 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 161 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 25 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
22.1 mi into trip
|
~30m in
|
CA 149
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 149 toward Oroville, Marysville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Oroville, Marysville
6
63.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m in
|
CA 70
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 70
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
161 mi into trip
|
~3h 9m in
|
I 5 / Westside Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Westside Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
460 mi into trip
|
~8h 35m 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
504.4 mi into trip
|
~9h 27m 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 303.7 mi | 5h 28m |
| I 5 Truck | 58.6 mi | 1h 7m |
| CA 70 | 49.2 mi | 58m |
| I 405 Truck | 23 mi | 26m |
| San Diego Freeway | 18 mi | 20m |
| CA 99 | 12.4 mi | 14m |
| Golden State Highway | 7.7 mi | 8m |
| 6th Street | 7.3 mi | 10m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 303.7 mi, about 5h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hamilton City, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on West 4th Street
97 ft
·
6 sec
·
West 4th Street
2
Turn right onto Broadway
0.2 mi
·
53 sec
·
Broadway
3
Turn right onto CA 32
7.3 mi
·
10 min
·
6th Street
4
Turn left onto West East Avenue
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
West East Avenue
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
6
Merge onto CA 99
12 mi
·
14 min
·
CA 99
Use the straight lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 149
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
CA 149
Toward Oroville, Marysville
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto CA 70
19 mi
·
22 min
·
CA 70
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on CA 70
11 mi
·
12 min
·
CA 70
10
Continue on CA 70
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
CA 70
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn right onto 5th Street
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
5th Street
12
Turn left onto CA 70
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
E Street
13
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 70
18 mi
·
20 min
·
CA 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto CA 99
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Bernie Richter Memorial Highway
15
Continue on CA 99
7.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Golden State Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 5
66 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi
·
48 sec
·
Westside Freeway
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
237 mi
·
4 hr 13 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
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.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
23 mi
·
26 min
·
I 405 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
18 mi
·
20 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
377 ft
·
9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long Beach
Use the slight right lane.
25
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
this road
Exit 32B
Toward I 710 South: Long Beach
26
Merge onto I 710
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on I 710
0.5 mi
·
40 sec
·
Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, Aquarium
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
29
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Shoreline Drive
30
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
31
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Ocean Boulevard
32
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
33
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
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 drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 253.4 miles from Hamilton City, CA, or about 4h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 303.7 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 111 miles or 2h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 253.4 miles or 4h 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 253.4 miles or 4h 49m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 8h 20m
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 Hamilton 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hamilton City, CA
Aim for roughly 253 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Long Beach, CA
Aim for roughly 253 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 111 miles from Hamilton City, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 303.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 253.4 mi from Hamilton City, CA · 4h 49m into the drive
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
167 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
334 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Santa Clarita, CAOvernight Options
Night 1
253 mi · about 4.8h in
A practical overnight split lands near Turlock, CA after about 253 miles or 4.8 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 111 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 253.4 miles from Hamilton City, 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 303.7 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 253 miles or 4.8 hours on the road.
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.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Long Beach, CA with some flexibility left in the schedule.
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
$116.48 one way
$232.97 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
177 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $120.04 | $240.07 |
| premium | $6.18 | $123.25 | $246.50 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $111.90 | $223.79 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$116
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$246–$356
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 177.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $53 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 152 | 1 | $53.21 | $24.33 |
| Efficient EV | 126.7 | 1 | $44.35 | $20.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 202.7 | 2 | $70.95 | $32.44 |
Gas CO2
177 kg
EV CO2
59 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
Morning in Long Beach on Friday
Local time
7:13 AM
PDT
Current temp
55°F
Mostly Clear
NW 0 to 15 mph
2% chance
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
13 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
9h 32m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Hamilton City, CA to Long Beach, CA covers 506.8 miles and takes about 9h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, CA 70. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 253 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 253.4 miles from Hamilton City, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $116.48 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks 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 25 significant decision points across 506.8 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 22.1 miles (CA 149): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.7 miles (CA 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 161 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Hamilton City, CA to Long Beach, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes. The route ranges from 15 ft to 2,864 ft elevation with about 3,266 ft of total climbing. There is 1 notable high point 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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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