Trip from Long Beach, CA to Pasadena, CA

Drive Time

44m

Distance

34.5 mi

Route Type

Turn-heavy local drive

Quick day trip

Trip Overview

The drive from Long Beach, CA to Pasadena, CA covers 34.5 miles and takes about 44m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on North Golden Avenue, I 710 North, Shoreline Drive for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $4.69 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

17.3 miles from Long Beach, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 22m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 44m drive with frequent turns across 34.5 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Golden Avenue is one of the defining roads on this drive.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
North Golden Avenue Unavailable Refreshing
I 710 North Unavailable Refreshing
Shoreline Drive Unavailable Refreshing
Seaside Freeway Unavailable Refreshing
Long Beach Freeway Unavailable Refreshing
West Valley Boulevard Unavailable Refreshing
South Fremont Avenue Unavailable Refreshing
Columbia Street Unavailable Refreshing

Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.

Longest stretch: North Golden Avenue — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Step-by-Step Directions

1

Start on East Ocean Boulevard

2

Turn right onto North Golden Avenue

3

Keep slight left to continue on I 710 North

4

Merge slight left onto Shoreline Drive

5

Keep slight left to continue on I 710 North

6

Merge slight right onto Seaside Freeway

7

Continue on Long Beach Freeway

8

Turn right onto West Valley Boulevard

9

Turn left onto South Fremont Avenue

10

At the end of the road, turn right onto Columbia Street

11

Turn left onto Fair Oaks Avenue

12

Turn right onto East Colorado Boulevard

13

Turn left onto North Garfield Avenue

14

Turn left onto East Holly Street

15

Arrive at your destination

When to Leave

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 17.3 miles from Long Beach, CA, or about 22m into the drive.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Drive Plan

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 34.5 miles or 44m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 17.3 miles or 22m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 37m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pasadena, 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.

Trip Strategy

Day 1

Settle into the route from Long Beach, CA

This is one driving day of about 34.5 miles and 44m.

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.

Best Stop Towns on This Route

These towns line up with the pace of this drive and give you clearer places to stop with a purpose.

Late stop town

Meal stop

Los Angeles, CA

17 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.

Popular next leg

Los Angeles, CA to Pasadena, CA

10.3 mi · 17m

Travel Advice

Arrival Notes

The final approach into Pasadena, 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 Pasadena, CA.

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.

Stops Along the Way

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 17.3 mi from Long Beach, CA

Los Angeles, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 34.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Los Angeles, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 17.3 miles from Long Beach, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions for the drive, so the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
regular $3.45 $4.69 $9.37
midgrade $3.85 $5.23 $10.46
premium $4.15 $5.64 $11.27
diesel $3.75 $5.09 $10.19

Based on 25.4 MPG average. Estimated CO2 emission: 12.1 kg one way.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Long Beach, CA to Pasadena, CA covers 34.5 miles and takes about 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Golden Avenue, I 710 North, Shoreline Drive. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 17.3 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 $4.69 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.

More trips to Pasadena, CA

Next Route Ideas

Reverse Route

Pasadena, CA to Long Beach, CA

Useful if you are planning the return drive and want the same trip in reverse.

33.6 mi 45m

Explore more options from Long Beach, CA or browse trips ending in Pasadena, CA .

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips .

Going the other way? Trip from Pasadena, CA to Long Beach, CA

Explore maps and details for Long Beach, CA or Pasadena, CA on MapSof.net.