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Trip from Long Beach, CA to Northridge, CA

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

59m

Distance

45.4 mi

73 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$10

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 15 min
4 AM
0h 54m ★
6 AM
0h 59m
8 AM
1h 9m
10 AM
1h 2m
12 PM
1h 1m
3 PM
1h 3m
5 PM
1h 8m
8 PM
0h 56m

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

city in Los Angeles County, California, United States

Long Beach, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Northridge, CA, CA

Northridge, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Long Beach, CA to Northridge, CA covers 45.4 miles and takes about 59m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on San Diego Freeway, Parthenia Street, Long Beach Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 35.3 miles on San Diego Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $10.43 one way before food or hotel costs.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 59m. Total distance: 45.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

59m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 59m highway drive covering 45.4 miles, with most of the trip on San Diego Freeway and Parthenia Street. The longest continuous stretch is about 35.3 miles on San Diego Freeway.

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.
San Diego Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 35.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on San Diego Freeway and Parthenia Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.7 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a short but busy drive. With 15 decision points packed into just 45.4 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 59m.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: 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; at 4.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

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

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
8
41.1 mi into trip | ~50m in

Take the exit toward Roscoe Boulevard, Panorama City

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 68 Toward Roscoe Boulevard, Panorama City

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Long Beach, CA and Northridge, CA, road signs point toward San Diego, Santa Monica and Panorama City.

San Diego

4.7 mi in | ~7m

Santa Monica

4.8 mi in | ~7m

Panorama City

41.1 mi in | ~50m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
San Diego Freeway 35.3 mi 40m
Parthenia Street 3 mi 5m
Long Beach Freeway 2.3 mi 3m
East Ocean Boulevard 0.7 mi 2m
Roscoe Boulevard 0.6 mi 1m
Shoreline Drive 0.5 mi <1m
Seaside Freeway 0.5 mi <1m
Woodley Avenue 0.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: San Diego Freeway — 35.3 mi, about 40m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

35 mi · 40 min · San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 36 sec
Exit 68 Toward Roscoe Boulevard, Panorama City Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Turn left onto Roscoe Boulevard

0.6 mi · 1 min · Roscoe Boulevard
Use the left lane.
16

Turn right onto Woodley Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Woodley Avenue
17

Turn left onto Parthenia Street

3.0 mi · 5 min · Parthenia Street
Use the left lane.
18

Arrive at destination

Parthenia Street

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 22.7 mi from Long Beach, CA · 29m into the drive

neighborhood in Los Angeles, California, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hollywood, CA

23 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

Los Angeles, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hollywood, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 22.7 miles from Long Beach, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Northridge, CA

Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Northridge, CA if you are unfamiliar with the area.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$10.43 one way

$20.87 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 16 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $10.75 $21.51
premium $6.18 $11.04 $22.08
diesel $5.61 $10.02 $20.05

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$10

Estimated CO2 emission: 15.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 13.6 0 $4.77 $2.18
Efficient EV 11.4 0 $3.97 $1.82
EV Truck/SUV 18.2 0 $6.36 $2.91

Gas CO2

16 kg

EV CO2

5 kg (69% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Long Beach, CA

Evening in Long Beach on Thursday

Local time

8:43 PM

PDT

Current temp

69°F

Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny

SSW 5 to 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Freeze Warning

Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 10:43AM PDT until April 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Medford OR

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 10:32AM PDT until April 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Hanford CA

Destination

Northridge, CA

Evening in Northridge on Thursday

Local time

8:43 PM

PDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

59m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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 Northridge, CA covers 45.4 miles and takes about 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are San Diego Freeway, Parthenia Street, 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 22.7 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 $10.43 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 short but busy drive. With 15 decision points packed into just 45.4 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 59m.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 4.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Long Beach, CA and Northridge, CA, road signs point toward San Diego, Santa Monica and Panorama City.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Northridge, CA to Long Beach, CA

Plan the drive back the other way.

45.7 mi 59m

Explore more options from Long Beach, CA or browse trips ending in Northridge, CA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.