Origin
Long Beach, CA
Afternoon in Long Beach on Sunday
Local time
1:32 PM
PDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
22m
Distance
12.3 mi
20 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Long Beach, CA
Saidamir Mukhitdinov
Torrance, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Traveling between Long Beach and Torrance is a quick, straightforward journey that spans just 12.3 miles. You can expect to complete this drive in roughly 22 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. Since both cities are located within the Pacific Coast region of California, you will remain in a familiar coastal environment throughout the entire transit. With a fuel cost estimate of only $3, this is an incredibly budget-friendly commute. Given the short duration, you won't need to plan for overnight stops or complicated logistics. It is an efficient way to navigate between these two Southern California hubs without any hassle.
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
6.2 miles from Long Beach, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 11m into the drive .
This trip is best described as a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. You will navigate via a combination of the Long Beach Freeway and both East and West Sepulveda Boulevard. Only 13% of this route takes place on the highway, meaning you will spend the vast majority of your time maneuvering through local streets. Your longest uninterrupted stretch lasts just 3.9 miles while traveling along West Sepulveda Boulevard. Because the route relies heavily on local turns, you should be prepared for frequent changes in direction rather than a monotonous interstate grind.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 12.3 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 0.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.9 miles (I 710 / Seaside Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight left at fork toward I 710 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Keep slight left at fork toward I 710 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 710 / Seaside Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Willow Street West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto West Willow Street
Lane positioning matters here
On the drive from Long Beach, CA to Torrance, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Willow Street West along the way.
Willow Street West
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Sepulveda Boulevard | 3.9 mi | 6m |
| East Sepulveda Boulevard | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| Long Beach Freeway | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| West Willow Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Maple Avenue | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| East Ocean Boulevard | 0.7 mi | 2m |
| Shoreline Drive | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Seaside Freeway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Long Beach, CA and Torrance, CA.
Start on East Ocean Boulevard
Turn right onto North Golden Avenue
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto Shoreline Drive
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 710
Continue on I 710
Take the exit
Turn right onto West Willow Street
Continue on East Sepulveda Boulevard
Continue on West Sepulveda Boulevard
Turn right onto Maple Avenue
Turn left onto Opal Street
Arrive at destination
Because this route is only 22 minutes long, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You do not need to worry about planning complex rest stops, as the entire drive can be completed comfortably in one go. Keep in mind that with zero designated stops, your primary focus should be on navigating the local turn-heavy sections safely. If you are budget-conscious, the $3 fuel estimate makes this an easy trip to fit into any schedule. A helpful tip for this specific route is to familiarize yourself with the transition from the Long Beach Freeway onto the Sepulveda Boulevard corridors before you leave, as the change from highway to local surface streets happens quickly.
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.
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 12.3 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 6.2 miles or 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Torrance, CA than in the middle of the route.
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 12.3 miles and 22m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 6.2 mi from Long Beach, CA · 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
6 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.
A short stop after about 12.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 6.2 miles from Long Beach, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Torrance, 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 Torrance, CA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$2.85 one way
$5.70 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $2.94 | $5.87 |
| premium | $6.24 | $3.02 | $6.05 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $2.73 | $5.47 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.7 | 0 | $1.29 | $0.59 |
| Efficient EV | 3.1 | 0 | $1.08 | $0.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.9 | 0 | $1.72 | $0.79 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Long Beach on Sunday
Local time
1:32 PM
PDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Torrance on Sunday
Local time
1:32 PM
PDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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