Origin
King City, CA
Morning in King City on Thursday
Local time
11:51 AM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from King City, CA to Long Beach, CA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
5h 27m
Distance
280.7 mi
452 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$65
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 14m
★
6 AM
5h 27m
8 AM
5h 54m
10 AM
5h 37m
12 PM
5h 34m
3 PM
5h 38m
5 PM
5h 53m
8 PM
5h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
King City, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Long Beach, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 280.7-mile drive from King City, CA to Long Beach, CA is designed for a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 27 minutes. You'll primarily navigate major highways, with 67% of the journey on them, making it a highway-focused experience. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $65. This route is a straightforward connection between two points within the Pacific Coast region, offering a practical way to travel between these California destinations. It's a solid day trip option for those looking to cover ground efficiently.
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
140.4 miles from King City, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 45m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 27m. Total distance: 280.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive for this 280.7-mile trip, with 67% of your travel on major routes like I 5 Truck and Westside Freeway. While El Camino Real offers some variation, the bulk of the miles will be on faster roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 58.6 miles on I 5 Truck, indicating significant periods of consistent highway travel. This route is characterized by its efficiency rather than winding scenic byways, allowing you to maintain a steady pace for most of the 5-hour-plus journey.
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.
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 171.5 miles in near I 5 Truck.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 22 significant decision points across 280.7 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 171.5 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 229.8 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 233.9 miles (I 5 Truck): 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
171.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 18m 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
229.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 25m 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
233.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 29m 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
234.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 30m 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
278.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 22m 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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from King City, CA to Long Beach, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Bakersfield along the way.
Bakersfield
50.5 mi in
|
~1h
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 Truck | 58.6 mi | 1h 7m |
| Westside Freeway | 56.8 mi | 1h |
| El Camino Real | 48.9 mi | 56m |
| Paso Robles Highway | 32.3 mi | 38m |
| CA 46 | 24.5 mi | 28m |
| I 405 Truck | 23 mi | 26m |
| San Diego Freeway | 18 mi | 20m |
| Antelope Road | 5.3 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
I 5 Truck
— 58.6 mi, about 1h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between King City, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on South Third Street
106 ft
·
7 sec
·
South Third Street
2
Turn right onto CR G13; US 101 BUS
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Broadway Street
3
Turn right
181 ft
·
7 sec
Toward US 101 BUS, CR G15: South First Street
4
Turn straight onto CR G15; US 101 BUS
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South First Street
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward US 101: US 101 South
6
Merge onto US 101
49 mi
·
56 min
·
El Camino Real
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward CA 46 East: Fresno, Bakersfield
8
Turn left onto CA 46
24 mi
·
28 min
·
CA 46
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
Merge onto CA 41; CA 46
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
CA 41; CA 46
10
Turn slight right
490 ft
·
6 sec
11
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 46
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Antelope Road
12
Continue on CA 46
32 mi
·
38 min
·
Paso Robles Highway
Use the slight left lane.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
24 sec
14
Merge onto I 5
57 mi
·
1 hr
·
Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
I 5 Truck
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
Given the 5-hour, 27-minute duration, this trip is comfortably manageable in one day. Aim to depart King City in the morning to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you approach the Los Angeles area. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility to take breaks when needed, but be mindful of the longest stretch of 58.6 miles on I 5 Truck, planning a fuel or rest stop before you reach that point. The estimated $65 fuel cost is a good budget baseline for this 280.7-mile drive.
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 140.4 miles from King City, CA, or about 2h 45m 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 62 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.4 miles or 2h 45m 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 25m
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 King 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 King City, CA
This is one driving day of about 280.7 miles and 5h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from King City, 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 140.4 mi from King City, CA · 2h 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
140 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 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 140.4 miles from King 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
$64.52 one way
$129.03 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
98 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $66.48 | $132.97 |
| premium | $6.18 | $68.26 | $136.53 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $61.98 | $123.95 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$65
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$90–$115
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 84.2 | 1 | $29.47 | $13.47 |
| Efficient EV | 70.2 | 0 | $24.56 | $11.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 112.3 | 1 | $39.30 | $17.96 |
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% 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 Thursday
Local time
11:51 AM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Sunny
WNW 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 2:09PM PDT until April 15 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Reno NV
Lake Wind Advisory
Lake Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 2:09PM PDT until April 16 at 7:00AM 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
21 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
5h 27m 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 King City, CA to Long Beach, CA covers 280.7 miles and takes about 5h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5 Truck, Westside Freeway, El Camino Real. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 140.4 miles from King City, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $64.52 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 280.7 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 171.5 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 229.8 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 233.9 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from King City, CA to Long Beach, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Bakersfield along the way.
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