Origin
Long Beach, CA
Morning in Long Beach on Sunday
Local time
11:19 AM
PDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Long Beach, CA to Willow Creek, CA
Drive Time
12h 23m
Distance
667.1 mi
1,074 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$154
one way
Photo: Gu Bra
Trip Overview
Spanning 667.1 miles from Long Beach to Willow Creek, this journey requires a significant commitment of about 12 hours and 23 minutes of pure driving time. Because of the length, trying to tackle this in a single day is exhausting, so I highly recommend splitting the trip into two days to keep your focus sharp. You will spend roughly 91% of your time on highways, primarily utilizing the San Diego Freeway and the Westside Freeway before transitioning to CA 299. Budgeting around $154 for fuel is a smart move before you head out. While both cities sit within the Pacific Coast region, the shift from the dense urban sprawl of the south to the northern interior geography makes for a distinct change in scenery.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
333.5 miles from Long Beach, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 6h 9m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a trip defined by two very different driving experiences. You will spend your initial hours navigating the high-traffic corridors of the San Diego and Westside Freeways, which account for a massive 425.9-mile stretch of uninterrupted highway driving. This section is largely an interstate grind designed for covering ground quickly. Once you transition onto CA 299, the character of the road shifts significantly as you move away from the major freeways. The final segments require more attention behind the wheel compared to the monotonous early stretches, as the road environment becomes more localized and technical as you approach Willow Creek.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 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 425.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and CA 299. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 667.1 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 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; 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 26 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
1.5 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 710 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward I 710 North
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
Towns Along This Route
Between Long Beach, CA and Willow Creek, CA, road signs point toward Susanville and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area.
Susanville
565.6 mi in
|
~10h 21m
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
565.8 mi in
|
~10h 21m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 425.9 mi | 7h 39m |
| CA 299 | 74 mi | 1h 28m |
| San Diego Freeway | 40.8 mi | 47m |
| I 5 Truck | 39.3 mi | 45m |
| Cascade Wonderland Highway | 31.6 mi | 34m |
| Eureka Way | 25 mi | 29m |
| Golden State Freeway | 22.3 mi | 25m |
| Long Beach Freeway | 2.3 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 425.9 mi, about 7h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Long Beach, CA and Willow Creek, 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
36 mi
·
41 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
22 mi
·
25 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
226 mi
·
4 hr 1 min
·
Westside Freeway
Toward I 5 North
Use the none / 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
54 mi
·
59 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
121 mi
·
2 hr 10 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 5
32 mi
·
34 min
·
Cascade Wonderland Highway
Use the none lane.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 678
Toward CA 44: Eureka, Susanville
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 678
Toward CA 44 West: Eureka, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
25
Merge onto CA 44
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
CA 44
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn right onto CA 44; CA 273; US 99 Hist
489 ft
·
17 sec
·
Pine Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Turn left onto CA 44; CA 273; US 99 Hist
25 mi
·
29 min
·
Eureka Way
Use the left lane.
28
Continue on CA 299
74 mi
·
1 hr 28 min
·
CA 299
Use the none lane.
29
Turn right onto CA 96
69 ft
·
1 sec
·
Bigfoot Scenic Byway
30
Arrive at destination
CA 96
Trip Plan
Given the 667.1-mile distance, plan to leave early in the morning to maximize daylight for the final, more complex sections of the drive. I suggest scheduling at least 3 planned stops to break up the 12-hour duration and maintain your energy levels. Since you face a lengthy 425.9-mile haul on the Westside Freeway, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during that stretch to avoid unnecessary stress in remote areas. Splitting the drive over two days is the best way to handle the mileage comfortably. Prioritize your rest stops strategically before you hit CA 299, as the transition to this state route often demands more focus than the earlier freeway portions.
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 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 333.5 miles from Long Beach, CA, or about 6h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 425.9 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 147 miles or 2h 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 333.5 miles or 6h 9m 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 333.5 miles or 6h 9m
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 11h 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Willow Creek, 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 334 miles and 6.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Willow Creek, CA
Aim for roughly 334 miles and 6.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 147 miles from Long Beach, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 425.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 333.5 mi from Long Beach, CA · 6h 9m into the drive
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
220 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
440 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Red Bluff, CAOvernight Options
Night 1
334 mi · about 6.2h in
A practical overnight split lands near Davis, CA after about 334 miles or 6.2 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 147 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 333.5 miles from Long Beach, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 425.9 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 334 miles or 6.2 hours on the road.
Arriving in Willow Creek, CA
The final approach into Willow Creek, 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 Willow Creek, CA.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Willow Creek, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$154.48 one way
$308.97 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
233 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $159.32 | $318.63 |
| premium | $6.24 | $163.96 | $327.93 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $148.21 | $296.41 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$154
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$284–$394
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 233.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $70 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 200.1 | 2 | $70.05 | $32.02 |
| Efficient EV | 166.8 | 1 | $58.37 | $26.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 266.8 | 3 | $93.39 | $42.69 |
Gas CO2
233 kg
EV CO2
78 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Willow Creek, CA
Morning in Willow Creek on Sunday
Local time
11:19 AM
PDT
Current temp
42°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
32 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
12h 23m 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 Willow Creek, CA covers 667.1 miles and takes about 12h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, CA 299, San Diego Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
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 334 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 333.5 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 $154.48 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 3 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 26 significant decision points across 667.1 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 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; 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 Willow Creek, CA, road signs point toward Susanville and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Willow Creek, CA
More trips to Willow Creek, CA
Explore more options from Long Beach, CA or browse trips ending in Willow Creek, CA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.
Explore maps for Long Beach, CA or Willow Creek, CA on MapSof.net.