The drive from Loma Rica, CA to Long Beach, CA covers 463.6 miles and takes about 8h 41m 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, I 405 Truck for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 303.7 miles on Westside Freeway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $106.55 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
231.8 miles from Loma Rica, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 21m into the drive
.
Long Beach is a large port city in Los Angeles County in Southern California. Long Beach has some nice people-gathering amenities and genuine tourist attractions, such as a world-class aquarium and the Queen Mary floating museum/hotel. Special events are also held in the city like the annual Long Beach Grand Prix (a premier racing event held on city streets) and the annual Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride event. When compared to other areas like Hollywood, West Hollywood, Santa Monica and West L.A., Long Beach may not always be at the top of someone's tourist visit to the Los Angeles area, but the city draws its fair share of visitors and has proven it can definitely hold its own.
Top landmarks
•RMS Queen Mary — retired British ocean liner
•Terminal Island — island in Los Angeles County, California, United States
•Aquarium of the Pacific — public aquarium in Long Beach, California
This is a 8h 41m highway drive covering 463.6 miles, with most of the trip on Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck. The longest continuous stretch is about 303.7 miles on Westside Freeway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 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.
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 20.5 miles in near CA 70.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 463.6 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 20.5 miles (CA 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 117.8 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 354.3 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
20.5 mi into trip|~30m 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
117.8 mi into trip|~2h 19m 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.
6
354.3 mi into trip|~6h 32m 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.
8
416.7 mi into trip|~7h 44m 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
461.2 mi into trip|~8h 36m 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
I 405 Truck
23 mi
26m
San Diego Freeway
18 mi
20m
CA 70
17.5 mi
20m
Loma Rica Road
9 mi
13m
Golden State Highway
7.7 mi
8m
Browns Valley Road
5.9 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 303.7 mi, about 5h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Loma Rica, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on Loma Rica Road
9.0 mi·13 min·Loma Rica Road
2
At end of road, turn right onto CA 20
5.9 mi·8 min·Browns Valley Road
3
Continue on CA 20
0.5 mi·1 min·East 12th Street
4
At end of road, turn left onto CA 20; CA 70
0.5 mi·1 min·B Street
5
Turn right onto 5th Street
0.2 mi·31 sec·5th Street
6
Turn left onto CA 70
4.2 mi·5 min·E Street
7
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 70
18 mi·20 min·CA 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto CA 99
4.9 mi·5 min·Bernie Richter Memorial Highway
9
Continue on CA 99
7.7 mi·8 min·Golden State Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 5
66 mi·1 hr 13 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi·48 sec·Westside Freeway
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
237 mi·4 hr 13 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
0.3 mi·17 sec·I 5 Truck
Exit 158Toward I 405 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
23 mi·26 min·I 405 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
18 mi·20 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
377 ft·9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long BeachUse the slight right lane.
19
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·39 sec·this road
Exit 32BToward I 710 South: Long Beach
20
Merge onto I 710
2.4 mi·3 min·Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 710
0.5 mi·40 sec·Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, AquariumUse the slight left / straight lanes.
23
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·Shoreline Drive
24
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
0.2 mi·30 sec·South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
25
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·West Ocean Boulevard
26
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
0.1 mi·21 sec·East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
27
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 231.8 miles from Loma Rica, CA, or about 4h 21m 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 102 miles or 2h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 231.8 miles or 4h 21m 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 231.8 miles or 4h 21m
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 7h 29m
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 Loma Rica, 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 Loma Rica, CA
Aim for roughly 232 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Long Beach, CA
Aim for roughly 232 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 102 miles from Loma Rica, 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 231.8 mi from Loma Rica, CA
· 4h 21m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultura...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 431.6
Yes, we can! Widely recognized as the most important Latino leader in the United States during the twentieth century, Cesar Chavez led farm workers and supporters in the establishment of the country's...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 351.7
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $49 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
139.1
1
$48.68
$22.25
Efficient EV
115.9
1
$40.57
$18.54
EV Truck/SUV
185.4
2
$64.90
$29.67
Gas CO2
162 kg
EV CO2
54 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Loma Rica, CA
Late night
in Loma Rica on Saturday
Local time
4:46 AM
PDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Long Beach, CA
Late night
in Long Beach on Saturday
Local time
4:46 AM
PDT
Current temp
57°F
Mostly Clear
SSE 5 mph0% chanceLive 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
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
8h 41m 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 Loma Rica, CA to Long Beach, CA covers 463.6 miles and takes about 8h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, I 405 Truck. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
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 232 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 231.8 miles from Loma Rica, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $106.55 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 20 significant decision points across 463.6 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 20.5 miles (CA 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 117.8 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 354.3 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Loma Rica, CA to Long Beach, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
