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Trip from Long Beach, CA to Citrus Heights, CA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

7h 50m

Distance

423.8 mi

682 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$97

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

21 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
7h 41m ★
6 AM
7h 50m
8 AM
8h 9m
10 AM
7h 57m
12 PM
7h 55m
3 PM
7h 58m
5 PM
8h 8m
8 PM
7h 45m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Los Angeles County, California, United States

Long Beach, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Citrus Heights, CA, CA

Citrus Heights, CA

Stephen Leonardi

Trip Overview

This 423.8-mile drive from Long Beach, CA to Citrus Heights, CA is a substantial undertaking, best suited for a single, dedicated day of travel, clocking in at approximately 7 hours and 50 minutes of pure driving time. The journey predominantly utilizes major freeways, with a 97% highway share, making it a focused, direct route. Expect a fuel cost around $97 for this trip. With two planned stops, you can break up the longest stretch of 297.1 miles on the Westside Freeway. This highway-focused drive efficiently connects the Pacific Coast regions of Southern and Northern California.

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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

211.9 miles from Long Beach, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 58m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 50m. Total distance: 423.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 50m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Drive Character

Prepare for a highway-focused experience, as this route is 97% on freeways. You'll be spending most of your time on the Westside Freeway and San Diego Freeway, with a significant portion of the drive, a continuous 297.1 miles, occurring on the Westside Freeway. This means consistent speeds and a predictable driving rhythm for the majority of your journey. While not a winding scenic byway, the efficiency of this route allows you to cover ground quickly, making it ideal for reaching your destination without significant detours.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 32 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 297.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and San Diego Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.8 miles in.

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 27 significant decision points across 423.8 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 4.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.2 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 405.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 27 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

9
4.8 mi into trip | ~7m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 405 North, I 710: Long Beach Freeway North, Santa Monica

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight lane. Toward I 405 North, I 710: Long Beach Freeway N...
9
48.2 mi into trip | ~59m in | I 5 Truck

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 161A Toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
10
405.4 mi into trip | ~7h 28m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 50 East, I 80 Business East: South Lake Tahoe, Broadway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 518 Toward US 50 East, I 80 Business East: South La...
9
405.6 mi into trip | ~7h 28m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 50 East, I 80 East: South Lake Tahoe

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 518 Toward US 50 East, I 80 East: South Lake Tahoe
10
422.2 mi into trip | ~7h 47m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Antelope Road, Citrus Heights

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left / right lanes. Exit 100 Toward Antelope Road, Citrus Heights

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Westside Freeway 297.1 mi 5h 20m
San Diego Freeway 40.8 mi 47m
I 5 Truck 39.3 mi 45m
Golden State Freeway 22.3 mi 25m
Capital City Freeway 10.6 mi 11m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 5 mi 5m
Long Beach Freeway 2.3 mi 3m
Antelope Road 1.4 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Westside Freeway — 297.1 mi, about 5h 20m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Long Beach, CA and Citrus Heights, 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

2.3 mi · 3 min · Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 10 sec
Toward I 405 North, I 405 South: Santa Monica, San Diego Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Toward I 405 North, I 710: Long Beach Freeway North, Santa Monica Use the straight lane.
10

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Toward I 405 North: Santa Monica Use the sharp right lane.
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Toward I 405 North: Santa Monica Use the straight lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Toward I 405 North Use the straight lane.
13

Merge onto I 405

41 mi · 47 min · San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Merge onto I 5 Truck

1.6 mi · 1 min · I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck

1.5 mi · 1 min · I 5 Truck
Exit 161A Toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck

36 mi · 41 min · I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

22 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

226 mi · 4 hr 1 min · Westside Freeway
Toward I 5 North Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

26 mi · 27 min · Westside Freeway
20

Keep left at fork onto I 5

46 mi · 50 min · Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 12 sec
Exit 518 Toward US 50, I 80 East: San Francisco, South Lake Tahoe Use the slight right lane.
22

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 12 sec
Exit 518 Toward US 50 East, I 80 Business East: South Lake Tahoe, Broadway Use the slight right lane.
23

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 518 Toward US 50 East, I 80 East: South Lake Tahoe Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Merge onto US 50; I 80 Business

1.2 mi · 1 min · Capital City Freeway
25

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business

9.4 mi · 10 min · Capital City Freeway
Toward I 80 Business East, CA 99 South: Reno, Fresno Use the slight right lane.
26

Continue on I 80

5.0 mi · 5 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Exit 100 Toward Antelope Road Use the slight right lane.
28

Keep slight right at fork

319 ft · 7 sec
Exit 100 Toward Antelope Road, Citrus Heights Use the left / right lanes.
29

Turn straight onto Antelope Road

1.4 mi · 2 min · Antelope Road
30

Turn left onto Mariposa Avenue

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Mariposa Avenue
Use the left lane.
31

Turn right

50 ft · 3 sec
32

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

To maximize your time, consider an early morning departure from Long Beach to beat potential traffic, especially as you begin on the Westside Freeway. With a 7-hour, 50-minute estimated drive, planning for two stops will help break up the journey effectively. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 297.1 miles, so ensure you're well-rested before setting out and take advantage of your planned breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $97, and utilize the services available along the main interstate corridors. This is a straightforward drive, so flexibility with your stops is key.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 211.9 miles from Long Beach, CA, or about 3h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 297.1 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 93 miles or 1h 50m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 211.9 miles or 3h 58m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 42m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Citrus Heights, 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.

+

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Long Beach, CA

This is one driving day of about 423.8 miles and 7h 50m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 93 miles from Long Beach, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 297.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 211.9 mi from Long Beach, CA · 3h 58m into the drive

city and county seat of Kern County, California, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bakersfield, CA

212 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

Santa Clarita, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 93 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Barstow, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 211.9 miles from Long Beach, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 297.1 miles.

Arriving in Citrus Heights, CA

The final approach into Citrus Heights, 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 Citrus Heights, CA.

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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

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...

18 mi from route ~46 min detour Free near mile 29.2
View on nps.gov
César E. Chávez National Monument

César E. Chávez National Monument

National Monument

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...

29 mi from route ~72 min detour Free near mile 116.9
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$97.41 one way

$194.81 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 148 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $100.38 $200.75
premium $6.18 $103.06 $206.13
diesel $5.61 $93.57 $187.14

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$97

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$122–$147

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 148.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

21 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

ChargePoint Charging Station

Citrus Heights, California

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Sacramento, California

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Valencia, California

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

Tesla Supercharger

Valencia, California

Tesla

1 DCFC

EVgo Charging Station

Sacramento, California

EVgo

1 DCFC

EVgo Charging Station

Valencia, California

EVgo

1 DCFC

EVgo Charging Station

Valencia, California

EVgo

1 DCFC

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Lebec, California

Other

1 DCFC

ChargePoint: 7 Tesla: 5 EVgo: 4 Other: 2 Electrify America: 2 EV Connect: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $45 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 127.1 1 $44.50 $20.34
Efficient EV 106 1 $37.08 $16.95
EV Truck/SUV 169.5 2 $59.33 $27.12

Gas CO2

148 kg

EV CO2

50 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Long Beach, CA

Afternoon in Long Beach on Thursday

Local time

12:57 PM

PDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Citrus Heights, CA

Afternoon in Citrus Heights on Thursday

Local time

12:57 PM

PDT

Current temp

48°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

8 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

7h 50m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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 Citrus Heights, CA covers 423.8 miles and takes about 7h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, San Diego Freeway, I 5 Truck. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 211.9 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 $97.41 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 27 significant decision points across 423.8 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 4.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.2 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 405.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Long Beach, CA to Citrus Heights, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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