Drive Time
6h 21m
Distance
378.2 mi
Route Type
Turn-heavy local drive
Long day tripThe drive from Los Altos, CA to Long Beach, CA covers 378.2 miles and takes about 6h 21m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on North San Antonio Road, Foothill Expressway, I 280 South for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $51.37 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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
189.1 miles from Los Altos, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 10m into the drive .
Expect a 6h 21m drive with frequent turns across 378.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North San Antonio Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Foothill Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 280 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Junipero Serra Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| CA 85 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Valley Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 101 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| CA 152 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Los Altos, CA and Long Beach, CA.
Start on North San Antonio Road
Continue on North San Antonio Road
Continue on Foothill Expressway
Take the exit slight right toward I 280 South: San Jose
Turn slight left onto Junipero Serra Freeway
Take the exit right toward CA 85 South: Gilroy
Merge slight left onto West Valley Freeway
Continue on US 101 South
Continue straight
Take the exit slight right toward CA 152 East: 10th Street, Pacheco Pass Road
Turn left onto East 10th Street
Continue on Pacheco Pass Highway
Take the exit slight right toward I 5: Los Angeles
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
Keep slight right
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on I 405 South
Keep slight right
Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway
Take the exit slight right toward I 710 South: Long Beach
Continue on I 710 South: Long Beach
Merge slight left onto Long Beach Freeway
Continue on Seaside Freeway
Take the exit slight left toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, Aquarium
Continue on Shoreline Drive
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
Arrive at your destination
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 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 83 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 189.1 miles or 3h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Long Beach, CA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Los Altos, 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 Los Altos, CA
This is one driving day of about 378.2 miles and 6h 21m.
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
189 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.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 189.1 mi from Los Altos, CA
A short stop after about 83 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 189.1 miles from Los Altos, 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 Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| regular | $3.45 | $51.37 | $102.74 |
| midgrade | $3.85 | $57.33 | $114.65 |
| premium | $4.15 | $61.79 | $123.59 |
| diesel | $3.75 | $55.84 | $111.67 |
Based on 25.4 MPG average. Estimated CO2 emission: 132.3 kg one way.
Travel Intel
Compare the departure city with the arrival city before you leave so the route feels predictable, not reactive.
Origin
Late night in Los Altos on Saturday
Local time
12:58 AM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Long Beach on Saturday
Local time
12:58 AM
PDT
Current temp
74°F
Forecast unavailable right now
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
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Explore more options from Los Altos, CA or browse trips ending in Long Beach, CA .
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