Origin
Long Beach, CA
Afternoon in Long Beach on Sunday
Local time
2:49 PM
PDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Long Beach, CA to Ladera Heights, CA
Drive Time
33m
Distance
23.6 mi
38 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 30m
★
6 AM
0h 33m
8 AM
0h 39m
10 AM
0h 35m
12 PM
0h 35m
3 PM
0h 35m
5 PM
0h 39m
8 PM
0h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Long Beach, CA
Saidamir Mukhitdinov
Ladera Heights, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Traveling from Long Beach to Ladera Heights is a straightforward 23.6-mile journey that typically takes about 33 minutes. Since this is a quick trip within the Pacific Coast region, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. You will rely primarily on the San Diego Freeway, I-405 ALT, and the Long Beach Freeway to navigate the area. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $5, this drive is highly economical and avoids the need for overnight accommodations. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick visit, the route is designed for efficiency rather than leisure.
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
11.8 miles from Long Beach, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 16m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 23.6-mile trip is a highway-focused drive, with 77% of your travel time spent on major thoroughfares. You should prepare for a consistent interstate experience, as the longest uninterrupted stretch spans 12.9 miles directly on the San Diego Freeway. The road maintains a fast-paced, urban feel throughout the transition from the coast to Ladera Heights. Because the majority of the route is highway-based, you can expect a steady flow of traffic rather than technical or winding local roads. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive that gets you to your destination with minimal detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
San Diego Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 12.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on San Diego Freeway and I 405 ALT. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 23.6 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 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
1.5 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 710 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward I 710 North
7
4.7 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the exit toward I 405 North, I 405 South: Santa Monica, San Diego
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.
Toward I 405 North, I 405 South: Santa Monica,...
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...
8
4.9 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 405 North: Santa Monica
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the sharp right lane.
Toward I 405 North: Santa Monica
8
5.2 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 405 North: Santa Monica
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 405 North: Santa Monica
Towns Along This Route
Between Long Beach, CA and Ladera Heights, CA, road signs point toward San Diego, Santa Monica and Los Angeles International Airport.
San Diego
4.7 mi in
|
~7m
Santa Monica
4.8 mi in
|
~7m
Los Angeles International Airport
18.7 mi in
|
~24m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego Freeway | 12.9 mi | 14m |
| I 405 ALT | 2.5 mi | 2m |
| Long Beach Freeway | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| South La Cienega Boulevard | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| East Ocean Boulevard | 0.7 mi | 2m |
| Shoreline Drive | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Seaside Freeway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| West Slauson Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
San Diego Freeway
— 12.9 mi, about 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Long Beach, CA and Ladera Heights, CA.
1
Start on East Ocean Boulevard
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
East Ocean Boulevard
Use the none lane.
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
Use the none lane.
6
Merge onto I 710
0.5 mi
·
41 sec
·
Seaside Freeway
Use the none lane.
7
Continue on I 710
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Long Beach Freeway
Use the none lane.
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
13 mi
·
14 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
Exit 46
Toward Los Angeles International Airport
Use the slight right lane.
15
Continue on I 405 ALT
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
I 405 ALT
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto South La Cienega Boulevard
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South La Cienega Boulevard
Use the none lane.
17
Turn slight right
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward Slauson Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn left onto West Slauson Avenue
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
West Slauson Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Turn right onto South Sherbourne Drive
402 ft
·
22 sec
·
South Sherbourne Drive
20
Turn left onto West 57th Street
319 ft
·
16 sec
·
West 57th Street
21
Turn right onto Bedford Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Bedford Avenue
22
Arrive at destination
Bedford Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 33-minute duration, you have significant flexibility in your departure schedule to avoid peak congestion. Since there are no mandatory stops required for this 23.6-mile distance, you can easily complete the drive in one go without needing to refuel. Keep in mind that your primary time will be spent on the San Diego Freeway, so checking live traffic conditions before you leave is the best way to ensure a smooth arrival. Use the lack of required stops to your advantage by planning your arrival time precisely around your destination's schedule. Focus on maintaining a steady pace on the I-405 ALT to keep your fuel consumption near the $5 estimate.
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 11.8 miles from Long Beach, CA, or about 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 12.9 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 23.6 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 11.8 miles or 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ladera 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Long Beach, CA
This is one driving day of about 23.6 miles and 33m.
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 San Diego Freeway for about 12.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 11.8 mi from Long Beach, CA · 16m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
12 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 23.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 11.8 miles from Long Beach, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Ladera Heights, CA
The final approach into Ladera 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 Ladera Heights, 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
$5.47 one way
$10.93 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
8 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $5.64 | $11.27 |
| premium | $6.24 | $5.80 | $11.60 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $5.24 | $10.49 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 8.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.1 | 0 | $2.48 | $1.13 |
| Efficient EV | 5.9 | 0 | $2.07 | $0.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 9.4 | 0 | $3.30 | $1.51 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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
Ladera Heights, CA
Afternoon in Ladera Heights on Sunday
Local time
2:49 PM
PDT
Current temp
56°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
18 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
33m 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 Ladera Heights, CA covers 23.6 miles and takes about 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are San Diego Freeway, I 405 ALT, Long Beach 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 11.8 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 $5.47 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 19 significant decision points across 23.6 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 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Long Beach, CA and Ladera Heights, CA, road signs point toward San Diego, Santa Monica and Los Angeles International Airport.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Ladera Heights, CA
More trips to Ladera Heights, CA
Explore more options from Long Beach, CA or browse trips ending in Ladera Heights, CA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.
Explore maps for Long Beach, CA or Ladera Heights, CA on MapSof.net.