Origin
Long Beach, CA
Afternoon in Long Beach on Friday
Local time
3:42 PM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Long Beach, CA to Richmond, CA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 32m
Distance
405 mi
652 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$93
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 23m
★
6 AM
7h 33m
8 AM
7h 53m
10 AM
7h 40m
12 PM
7h 38m
3 PM
7h 41m
5 PM
7h 52m
8 PM
7h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Long Beach, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Richmond, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Long Beach, CA to Richmond, CA covers 405 miles and takes about 7h 32m 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 $93.09 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
202.5 miles from Long Beach, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 46m into the drive .
About the Cities
Starting in Long Beach, CA
Full guide →Long Beach is a large port city in Los Angeles County in Southern California. Long Beach has some nice people-gathering amenities and genuine tourist attractions, such as a world-class aquarium and the Queen Mary floating museum/hotel. Special events are also held in the city like the annual Long Beach Grand Prix (a premier racing event held on city streets) and the annual Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride event. When compared to other areas like Hollywood, West Hollywood, Santa Monica and West L.A., Long Beach may not always be at the top of someone's tourist visit to the Los Angeles area, but the city draws its fair share of visitors and has proven it can definitely hold its own.
Arriving in Richmond, CA
Full guide →Though it was a booming industrial center during World War II, the subsequent decades were not kind to Richmond, California. After the war, deindustrialization hit hard. The shipyards closed. Desperation set in. A reputation for violent crime kept visitors away. But in the 21st century crime has gone down, and a revitalization has begun. Richmond still isn't on any tourism shortlists, but its historic sites, nature, and strategic location between the East Bay and Marin County do attract some interest to this often-overlooked part of the San Francisco Bay Area. Areas of note include the charming and historic Point Richmond neighborhood on the bay in the southwest of Richmond, as well as the World War II sites at the southern edge of the city. This article also covers Richmond's near-enclave of San Pablo.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 32m. Total distance: 405 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 32m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 7h 32m drive with frequent turns across 405 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 31 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.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 32m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Long Beach, CA to Richmond, CA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Golden Avenue | — | — |
| I 710 North | — | — |
| Shoreline Drive | — | — |
| Seaside Freeway | — | — |
| Long Beach Freeway | — | — |
| I 405 North | — | — |
| San Diego Freeway | — | — |
| I 5 | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
North Golden Avenue
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Long Beach, CA and Richmond, CA.
1
Start on East Ocean Boulevard
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
East Ocean Boulevard
2
Turn right onto North Golden Avenue
413 ft
·
7 sec
·
North Golden Avenue
3
Keep slight left to continue on I 710 North
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
I 710 North
4
Merge slight left onto Shoreline Drive
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
Shoreline Drive
5
Keep slight left to continue on I 710 North
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
I 710 North
6
Merge slight right onto Seaside Freeway
0.5 mi
·
42 sec
·
Seaside Freeway
7
Continue on Long Beach Freeway
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Long Beach Freeway
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 405 North, I 405 South: Santa Monica, San Diego
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
I 405 North, I 405 South: Santa Monica, San Diego
9
Keep slight left to continue on I 405 North, I 710: Long Beach Freeway North, Santa Monica
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
I 405 North, I 710: Long Beach Freeway North, Santa Monica
10
Keep slight right to continue on I 405 North: Santa Monica
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
I 405 North: Santa Monica
11
Keep slight left to continue on I 405 North: Santa Monica
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
I 405 North: Santa Monica
12
Keep slight left to continue on I 405 North
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
I 405 North
13
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
41 mi
·
47 min
·
San Diego Freeway
14
Merge slight right
1.6 mi
·
1 min
15
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
16
Keep slight left
36 mi
·
41 min
17
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
22 mi
·
25 min
·
Golden State Freeway
18
Keep slight right to continue on Westside Freeway
226 mi
·
4 hr 1 min
·
Westside Freeway
19
Keep slight left to continue on William Elton Brown Freeway
16 mi
·
17 min
·
William Elton Brown Freeway
20
Keep slight right to continue on William Elton Brown Freeway
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
William Elton Brown Freeway
21
Merge slight left onto Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
22
Keep slight right to continue on Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
23
Keep slight right to continue on MacArthur Freeway
8.3 mi
·
9 min
·
MacArthur Freeway
24
Keep slight left to continue on MacArthur Freeway
8.3 mi
·
9 min
·
MacArthur Freeway
25
Continue on Eastshore Freeway
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Eastshore Freeway
26
Keep slight right to continue on John T. Knox Freeway
3.5 mi
·
3 min
·
John T. Knox Freeway
27
Take the exit slight right toward Marina Bay Parkway, South 23rd Street
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
Marina Bay Parkway, South 23rd Street
28
Turn right onto South 23rd Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
South 23rd Street
29
Turn left
279 ft
·
22 sec
30
At the end of the road, turn right onto Macdonald Avenue
105 ft
·
3 sec
·
Macdonald Avenue
31
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 202.5 miles from Long Beach, CA, or about 3h 46m into the drive.
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 89 miles or 1h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 202.5 miles or 3h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Richmond, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Long Beach, CA
This is one driving day of about 405 miles and 7h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 89 miles from Long Beach, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 202.5 mi from Long Beach, CA · 3h 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
203 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 89 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 202.5 miles from Long Beach, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Richmond, CA
The final approach into Richmond, 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 Richmond, CA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$93.09 one way
$186.17 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
142 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $95.92 | $191.85 |
| premium | $6.18 | $98.49 | $196.98 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $89.42 | $178.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$93
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$118–$143
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 141.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 121.5 | 1 | $42.53 | $19.44 |
| Efficient EV | 101.3 | 1 | $35.44 | $16.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 162 | 2 | $56.70 | $25.92 |
Gas CO2
142 kg
EV CO2
47 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.
Destination
Richmond, CA
Afternoon in Richmond on Friday
Local time
3:42 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°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
9 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
7h 32m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 Richmond, CA covers 405 miles and takes about 7h 32m 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 202.5 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 $93.09 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.
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 32m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Long Beach, CA to Richmond, CA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Long Beach, CA to Richmond, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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