This straightforward 88.3-mile drive from Long Beach, CA to Ventura, CA is perfect for a single day trip, taking an estimated 1 hour and 47 minutes. You'll primarily be on the Ventura Freeway and San Diego Freeway, which are part of US 101. The route is almost entirely highway, making it an efficient journey along the Pacific Coast. With an estimated fuel cost of $20, this is an economical option for exploring Southern California. You won't need to worry about splitting this drive; it's easily manageable in one go.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.1 miles from Long Beach, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 47m. Total distance: 88.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for 95% of this 88.3-mile trip. The drive is predominantly on well-maintained freeways, offering a consistent pace. You'll encounter one long stretch of 46.9 miles on the Ventura Freeway, meaning extended periods of uninterrupted driving. While the scenery isn't the primary focus, the journey offers a direct connection between two Pacific Coast communities. The character is that of efficient travel, designed for getting from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Ventura Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 46.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Ventura 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 4.7 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 88.3 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 17 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
36.3 mi into trip|~45m in
Take the exit toward US 101 North, US 101 South: Ventura, Los Angeles
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 63B
Toward US 101 North, US 101 South: Ventura, Los...
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 Ventura, CA, road signs point toward San Diego, Santa Monica and Los Angeles.
San Diego
4.7 mi in|~7m
Santa Monica
4.8 mi in|~7m
Los Angeles
36.3 mi in|~45m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ventura Freeway
46.9 mi
54m
San Diego Freeway
30.5 mi
35m
US 101
3.6 mi
4m
Long Beach Freeway
2.3 mi
3m
East Ocean Boulevard
0.7 mi
2m
Shoreline Drive
0.5 mi
<1m
Seaside Freeway
0.5 mi
<1m
North Golden Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Ventura Freeway
— 46.9 mi, about 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Long Beach, CA and Ventura, 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
30 mi·35 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 63BToward US 101 North, US 101 South: Ventura, Los AngelesUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward US 101 North: VenturaUse the slight left lane.
16
Merge onto US 101
47 mi·54 min·Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto US 101
3.6 mi·4 min·US 101
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 70AToward California StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right onto South California Street
200 ft·7 sec·South California Street
Use the right lane.
20
Arrive at destination
South California Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 1 hour and 47-minute duration, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning can help you avoid potential afternoon traffic. There are no mandatory stops suggested for this 88.3-mile route, but plan for a quick break if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch is nearly 47 miles. The estimated fuel cost is around $20, so ensure you start with enough gas. A specific tip for this drive: check local traffic reports before heading out, as freeway congestion can significantly impact your travel time on the San Diego and Ventura Freeways.
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 44.1 miles from Long Beach, CA, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.9 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 19 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.1 miles or 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ventura, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Long Beach, CA
This is one driving day of about 88.3 miles and 1h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Long Beach, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Ventura Freeway for about 46.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 44.1 mi from Long Beach, CA
· 55m into the drive
The midpoint is around 44.1 miles from Long Beach, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Ventura, CA
The final approach into Ventura, CA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.30 one way
$40.59 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$20.91
$41.83
premium
$6.18
$21.47
$42.95
diesel
$5.61
$19.50
$38.99
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
1 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: fair
Tesla Supercharger
Chatsworth, California
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.5
0
$9.27
$4.24
Efficient EV
22.1
0
$7.73
$3.53
EV Truck/SUV
35.3
0
$12.36
$5.65
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Long Beach, CA
Night
in Long Beach on Thursday
Local time
9:30 PM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Ventura, CA
Night
in Ventura on Thursday
Local time
9:30 PM
PDT
Current temp
62°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
6 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 47m 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 Ventura, CA covers 88.3 miles and takes about 1h 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Ventura Freeway, San Diego Freeway, US 101. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 44.1 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 $20.30 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 88.3 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 Ventura, CA, road signs point toward San Diego, Santa Monica and Los Angeles.
