Long Beach, CA to Sheridan, CA is 446.8 miles and takes about 8h 17m via Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck, with a fuel budget near $103 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily sticks to major highways, making it a focused journey across California. Given its highway-heavy profile and 2-day recommendation, you'll want to plan for at least one overnight stop to break up the 446.8 miles. The route remains within the Pacific Coast region throughout, offering a consistent driving experience. Consider this trip if you prioritize efficient travel over varied scenery.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
223.4 miles from Long Beach, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 11m into the drive
.
Drive Character
This is a highway-focused drive, with 97% of the journey utilizing major freeways like the Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck. You'll encounter long stretches of consistent driving, including a significant 297.1-mile segment on the Westside Freeway without major interruptions. The profile suggests a steady pace for much of the trip, characteristic of interstate travel. While it's primarily a freeway experience, the sheer length of uninterrupted highway means you'll want to be prepared for extended periods behind the wheel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 34 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 Effort10/10
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 28 significant decision points across 446.8 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 4.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.2 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 28 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...
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
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
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 Sheridan, CA, road signs point toward Lake Tahoe, Broadway and Fresno.
Lake Tahoe
405.3 mi in|~7h 27m
Broadway
405.4 mi in|~7h 28m
Fresno
407.5 mi in|~7h 30m|via I 80 Business
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
CA 65
18.1 mi
21m
Capital City Freeway
10.6 mi
11m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
7 mi
8m
Alan S. Hart Freeway
3.6 mi
4m
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 Sheridan, 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 DiegoUse 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 MonicaUse the straight lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I 405 North: Santa MonicaUse the sharp right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 405 North: Santa MonicaUse the straight lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 405 NorthUse 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 161AToward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 TruckUse 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 NorthUse 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 518Toward US 50, I 80 East: San Francisco, South Lake TahoeUse the slight right lane.
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·12 sec
Exit 518Toward US 50 East, I 80 Business East: South Lake Tahoe, BroadwayUse the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 518Toward US 50 East, I 80 East: South Lake TahoeUse 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, FresnoUse the slight right lane.
26
Continue on I 80
7.0 mi·8 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on I 80
3.6 mi·4 min·Alan S. Hart Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 106Toward CA 65: Lincoln, MarysvilleUse the straight / right lanes.
29
Continue on Charles J. La Porte Memorial Bridge
0.2 mi·29 sec·Charles J. La Porte Memorial Bridge
Exit 106Toward CA 65: Lincoln, Marysville
30
Continue on CA 65
18 mi·21 min·CA 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Turn right onto Riosa Road
0.3 mi·26 sec·Riosa Road
32
At end of road, turn right onto Sheridan Lincoln Boulevard
0.2 mi·15 sec·Sheridan Lincoln Boulevard
33
Turn left onto Riosa Road
93 ft·4 sec·Riosa Road
34
Arrive at destination
Riosa Road
Trip Plan
With an estimated duration of 8 hours and 17 minutes, this route is best tackled over two days to avoid fatigue. Plan your overnight stop strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or after completing the longest stretch of 297.1 miles on the Westside Freeway. You'll want to depart early to maximize daylight hours, especially if you opt for a single-day push, though the 2-day recommendation is wise. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $103 estimated cost suggests significant mileage; ensure you fill up whenever convenient, rather than waiting for the last minute.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 223.4 miles from Long Beach, CA, or about 4h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 297.1 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 98 miles or 1h 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 223.4 miles or 4h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 223.4 miles or 4h 11m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sheridan, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Long Beach, CA
Aim for roughly 223 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Sheridan, CA
Aim for roughly 223 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 98 miles from Long Beach, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
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 223.4 mi from Long Beach, CA
· 4h 11m into the drive
The midpoint is around 223.4 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.
Overnight split
Hotel stop
For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 223 miles or 4.1 hours on the road.
Arriving in Sheridan, CA
The final approach into Sheridan, 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 Sheridan, CA.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Sheridan, CA with some flexibility left in the schedule.
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
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...
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 30.8
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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 107.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$102.69 one way
$205.39 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg156 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$105.82
$211.65
premium
$6.18
$108.66
$217.31
diesel
$5.61
$98.65
$197.30
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$103
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$233–$343
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 156.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $47 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
134
1
$46.91
$21.45
Efficient EV
111.7
1
$39.10
$17.87
EV Truck/SUV
178.7
2
$62.55
$28.60
Gas CO2
156 kg
EV CO2
52 kg (67% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Long Beach, CA
Late night
in Long Beach on Friday
Local time
2:50 AM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
SSW 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Sheridan, CA
Late night
in Sheridan on Friday
Local time
2:50 AM
PDT
Current temp
46°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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
23 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
8h 17m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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 Sheridan, CA covers 446.8 miles and takes about 8h 17m 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.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 223 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 223.4 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 $102.69 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 28 significant decision points across 446.8 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 4.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.2 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Long Beach, CA and Sheridan, CA, road signs point toward Lake Tahoe, Broadway and Fresno.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and César E. Chávez National Monument.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
