Origin
Long Beach, CA
Afternoon in Long Beach on Sunday
Local time
12:24 PM
PDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Long Beach, CA to Santa Clarita, CA
Drive Time
1h 11m
Distance
56.7 mi
91 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
Long Beach, CA
Saidamir Mukhitdinov
Santa Clarita, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Traveling from Long Beach to Santa Clarita covers 56.7 miles, typically taking about 1 hour and 11 minutes of driving time. Because this trip is short and entirely within the Pacific Coast region, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. You can expect to spend approximately $13 on fuel for the journey, making it a very affordable commute between these two Southern California hubs. The route relies heavily on major infrastructure, including the San Diego Freeway, I-5 Truck, and the Long Beach Freeway. Since there are no required stops, you have the flexibility to complete the drive in one straightforward push. It is a practical, no-nonsense connection that gets you from the coast to the valley efficiently.
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
28.4 miles from Long Beach, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 36m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a high-speed, highway-focused experience with 91% of your journey spent on major thoroughfares. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the longest uninterrupted stretch spans 40.8 miles on the San Diego Freeway. The road feels like a classic interstate grind, prioritizing speed and directness over winding, technical paths. Because the route is dominated by heavy-duty transit corridors like the I-5 Truck route, the driving environment remains consistent throughout the 56.7-mile trek. You won't encounter significant shifts in road type, meaning you can keep your focus on steady highway navigation from start to finish.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 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 40.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on San Diego 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 4.8 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 56.7 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 4.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key pointsThese 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...
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
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
8
54.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
Take the exit toward Lyons Avenue, Pico Canyon Road
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 167
Toward Lyons Avenue, Pico Canyon Road
Towns Along This Route
Between Long Beach, CA and Santa Clarita, CA, road signs point toward San Diego and Santa Monica.
San Diego
4.7 mi in
|
~7m
Santa Monica
4.8 mi in
|
~7m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego Freeway | 40.8 mi | 47m |
| I 5 Truck | 7.9 mi | 8m |
| Long Beach Freeway | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| Wiley Canyon Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| East Ocean Boulevard | 0.7 mi | 2m |
| Shoreline Drive | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Seaside Freeway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| 16th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
San Diego Freeway
— 40.8 mi, about 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Long Beach, CA and Santa Clarita, 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
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 none / 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
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 167
Toward Lyons Avenue, Pico Canyon Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
490 ft
·
11 sec
Toward Lyons Avenue, Newhall, William S. Hart Park, The Master's University
19
Turn straight onto Lyons Avenue
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
Lyons Avenue
Use the none lane.
20
Turn left onto Wiley Canyon Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Wiley Canyon Road
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right onto Orchard Village Road
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Orchard Village Road
22
Turn left onto 16th Street
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
16th Street
23
Turn left onto Newhall Avenue
451 ft
·
19 sec
·
Newhall Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
Newhall Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the heavy reliance on major freeways, your biggest challenge will be timing your departure to avoid peak traffic congestion common in this region. Although the drive takes just over an hour, traffic flow can be unpredictable, so check your GPS for real-time delays before pulling out of Long Beach. Since there are no scheduled stops required for a 56.7-mile trip, you have the luxury of driving straight through without needing to plan for long breaks. Budgeting $13 for fuel is a safe estimate, but keeping a little extra for potential idling in traffic is a smart move. Use the flexibility of this short drive to depart during off-peak hours to ensure your trip remains as stress-free as possible.
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 28.4 miles from Long Beach, CA, or about 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 40.8 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 56.7 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 28.4 miles or 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Santa Clarita, 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 56.7 miles and 1h 11m.
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 40.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 28.4 mi from Long Beach, CA · 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
28 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 56.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 28.4 miles from Long Beach, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Santa Clarita, CA
The final approach into Santa Clarita, 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 Santa Clarita, 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
$13.13 one way
$26.26 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $13.54 | $27.08 |
| premium | $6.24 | $13.94 | $27.87 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $12.60 | $25.19 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17 | 0 | $5.95 | $2.72 |
| Efficient EV | 14.2 | 0 | $4.96 | $2.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.7 | 0 | $7.94 | $3.63 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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
Santa Clarita, CA
Afternoon in Santa Clarita on Sunday
Local time
12:24 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
2 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
1h 11m 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 Santa Clarita, CA covers 56.7 miles and takes about 1h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are San Diego Freeway, I 5 Truck, 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 28.4 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 $13.13 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 22 significant decision points across 56.7 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 4.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Long Beach, CA and Santa Clarita, CA, road signs point toward San Diego and Santa Monica.
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