Origin
Long Beach, CA
Evening in Long Beach on Tuesday
Local time
6:24 PM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Long Beach, CA to Anaheim, CA
Data updated 1 hour ago
Drive Time
36m
Distance
26.1 mi
42 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 33m
★
6 AM
0h 36m
8 AM
0h 43m
10 AM
0h 39m
12 PM
0h 38m
3 PM
0h 39m
5 PM
0h 42m
8 PM
0h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Long Beach, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 26.1-mile drive from Long Beach, CA to Anaheim, CA will take approximately 36 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily travel on the Artesia Freeway, Long Beach Freeway, and Riverside Freeway, with 82% of the route being highway driving. Budget around $6 for fuel for this short journey. The Pacific Coast region offers a convenient and quick connection between these two Southern California cities. Given its short duration, you won't need to split this drive or plan for an overnight stay, allowing for maximum flexibility.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
13 miles from Long Beach, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 18m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 26.1-mile trip, with 82% of your journey on freeways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 12.6 miles on the Artesia Freeway. This route is characterized by its consistent speed and directness, minimizing stops and maximizing mileage covered quickly. It's a drive designed for efficient travel rather than scenic detours, prioritizing getting you to your destination promptly.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Artesia Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 12.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Artesia Freeway and Long Beach Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 26.1 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 0.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.8 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 710 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 710 North
5
1.5 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 710 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 710 North
7
8 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward CA 91 East: Riverside
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 8A
Toward CA 91 East: Riverside
5
8.2 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CA 91 East: Riverside
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward CA 91 East: Riverside
8
24.2 mi into trip
|
~31m in
Take the exit toward Harbor Boulevard, Lemon Street, Anaheim Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 28
Toward Harbor Boulevard, Lemon Street, Anaheim...
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Artesia Freeway | 12.6 mi | 14m |
| Long Beach Freeway | 5.6 mi | 7m |
| Riverside Freeway | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| North Anaheim Boulevard | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| East Ocean Boulevard | 0.7 mi | 2m |
| Shoreline Drive | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Seaside Freeway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Harbor Boulevard | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Artesia Freeway
— 12.6 mi, about 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Long Beach, CA and Anaheim, CA.
1
Start on East Ocean Boulevard
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
East Ocean Boulevard
2
Turn right onto North Golden Avenue
414 ft
·
6 sec
·
North Golden Avenue
3
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward I 710 North
4
Merge onto Shoreline Drive
0.5 mi
·
47 sec
·
Shoreline Drive
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 710 North
6
Merge onto I 710
0.5 mi
·
41 sec
·
Seaside Freeway
7
Continue on I 710
5.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 8A
Toward CA 91 East: Riverside
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward CA 91 East: Riverside
10
Merge onto CA 91
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Artesia Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on CA 91
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Riverside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 28
Toward Harbor Boulevard, Lemon Street, Anaheim Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn right onto Harbor Boulevard
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
·
Harbor Boulevard
Use the right lane.
14
Turn left onto West La Palma Avenue
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
West La Palma Avenue
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto North Anaheim Boulevard
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
North Anaheim Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on South Anaheim Boulevard
420 ft
·
17 sec
·
South Anaheim Boulevard
17
Turn right
200 ft
·
14 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this quick 36-minute drive, the best time to leave depends on your tolerance for traffic; early mornings or mid-day tend to be smoother. With only 26.1 miles and no designated stops, you have the flexibility to depart whenever it suits you. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $6, and refueling options are readily available along the freeway corridors. A specific tip for this route: be aware that the transition between the Artesia Freeway and the Long Beach Freeway can sometimes experience congestion, so allow a few extra minutes if you're on a tight schedule.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 13 miles from Long Beach, CA, or about 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 12.6 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 26.1 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 13 miles or 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Anaheim, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Long Beach, 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 Long Beach, CA
This is one driving day of about 26.1 miles and 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Long Beach, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Artesia Freeway for about 12.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 13 mi from Long Beach, CA · 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
13 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 26.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 13 miles from Long Beach, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Anaheim, CA
The final approach into Anaheim, 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 Anaheim, 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
$6.00 one way
$12.00 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
9 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $6.18 | $12.36 |
| premium | $6.18 | $6.35 | $12.69 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $5.76 | $11.53 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.8 | 0 | $2.74 | $1.25 |
| Efficient EV | 6.5 | 0 | $2.28 | $1.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 10.4 | 0 | $3.65 | $1.67 |
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Anaheim, CA
Evening in Anaheim on Tuesday
Local time
6:24 PM
PDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
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.
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
20 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
36m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Long Beach, CA to Anaheim, CA covers 26.1 miles and takes about 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Artesia Freeway, Long Beach Freeway, Riverside Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 13 miles from Long Beach, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.00 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 26.1 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 0.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Long Beach, CA to Anaheim, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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