This 344.9-mile drive from Monterey to Long Beach is manageable in a single day, taking approximately 6 hours and 44 minutes. You'll navigate a mix of highways, with 59% of the journey on freeways, including El Camino Real and I 5 Truck. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $79. Given the relatively short duration and mixed terrain, it's a feasible day trip, but you could also break it up if you prefer a more leisurely pace. This route travels entirely within California, connecting two points along the Pacific Coast.
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
172.5 miles from Monterey, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 26m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 44m. Total distance: 344.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 44m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This drive offers a varied experience behind the wheel. While nearly 60% of the route is on highways, you'll also encounter stretches of El Camino Real, which can feel more like local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll cover is 94.6 miles on El Camino Real, offering a substantial period of consistent travel. Expect a "mixed drive" profile, meaning the scenery and road conditions will change as you progress south, moving from coastal influences to more inland characteristics.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
El Camino Real is the longest continuous segment at about 94.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in near CA 68.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 344.9 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 1.6 miles (CA 68): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.6 miles (East Blanco Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 235.6 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 26 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
1.6 mi into trip|~3m in|CA 68
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 68 toward CA 68: North Fremont Street, Salinas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 401B
Toward CA 68: North Fremont Street, Salinas
6
17.6 mi into trip|~24m in|East Blanco Road
Turn right onto East Blanco Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
235.6 mi into trip|~4h 35m in|I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
298.1 mi into trip|~5h 46m in|I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 405 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 158
Toward I 405 South
7
342.5 mi into trip|~6h 38m in
Take the exit toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, Aquarium
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center,...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Monterey, CA to Long Beach, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Bakersfield along the way.
Bakersfield
114.7 mi in|~2h 17m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
El Camino Real
94.6 mi
1h 49m
I 5 Truck
58.6 mi
1h 7m
Westside Freeway
56.8 mi
1h
Paso Robles Highway
32.3 mi
38m
CA 46
24.5 mi
28m
I 405 Truck
23 mi
26m
San Diego Freeway
18 mi
20m
CA 68
16 mi
21m
Longest stretch:
El Camino Real
— 94.6 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monterey, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on West Franklin Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·West Franklin Street
2
Turn right onto Washington Street
0.1 mi·18 sec·Washington Street
3
Continue on Abrego Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·Abrego Street
4
Turn left onto CA 1 Business
0.6 mi·1 min·Fremont Street
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward CA 1 North
6
Merge onto CA 1; CA 68
0.2 mi·10 sec·Cabrillo Highway
7
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 68
16 mi·21 min·CA 68
Exit 401BToward CA 68: North Fremont Street, Salinas
8
Turn right onto East Blanco Road
1.6 mi·1 min·East Blanco Road
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on South Sanborn Road
0.8 mi·59 sec·South Sanborn Road
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
11
Merge onto US 101
95 mi·1 hr 49 min·El Camino Real
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward CA 46 East: Fresno, Bakersfield
13
Turn left onto CA 46
24 mi·28 min·CA 46
Use the straight / left lanes.
14
Merge onto CA 41; CA 46
1.4 mi·1 min·CA 41; CA 46
15
Turn slight right
490 ft·6 sec
16
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 46
5.3 mi·6 min·Antelope Road
17
Continue on CA 46
32 mi·38 min·Paso Robles Highway
Use the slight left lane.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·24 sec
19
Merge onto I 5
57 mi·1 hr·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
0.3 mi·17 sec·I 5 Truck
Exit 158Toward I 405 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
23 mi·26 min·I 405 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
18 mi·20 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
377 ft·9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long BeachUse the slight right lane.
26
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·39 sec·this road
Exit 32BToward I 710 South: Long Beach
27
Merge onto I 710
2.4 mi·3 min·Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on I 710
0.5 mi·40 sec·Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, AquariumUse the slight left / straight lanes.
30
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·Shoreline Drive
31
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
0.2 mi·30 sec·South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
32
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·West Ocean Boulevard
33
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
0.1 mi·21 sec·East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
34
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour, 44-minute journey, departing early in the morning is your best bet to avoid heavier traffic, especially as you approach the Los Angeles area. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the longest stretch without a significant change in road type is nearly 95 miles on El Camino Real. This drive is well within the scope of a single day, so you can decide on your stop based on your energy levels rather than a strict itinerary. Factor in the $79 fuel cost when budgeting for your trip.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 172.5 miles from Monterey, CA, or about 3h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.6 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 76 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 172.5 miles or 3h 26m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Long Beach, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Monterey, 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 Monterey, CA
This is one driving day of about 344.9 miles and 6h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 miles from Monterey, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on El Camino Real for about 94.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 172.5 mi from Monterey, CA
· 3h 26m into the drive
The midpoint is around 172.5 miles from Monterey, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before El Camino Real if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 94.6 miles.
Arriving in Long Beach, CA
The final approach into Long Beach, 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 Long Beach, CA.
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.
Pinnacles National Park
National Park
Around 23 million years ago, a series of volcanic eruptions shaped the landscape that is now Pinnacles National Park. The remnants of these ancient eruptions have formed a striking terrain of rocky sp...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
$30
near mile 47.6
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...
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 309.2
Yes, we can! Widely recognized as the most important Latino leader in the United States during the twentieth century, Cesar Chavez led farm workers and supporters in the establishment of the country's...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 237.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$79.27 one way
$158.55 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg121 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$81.69
$163.38
premium
$6.18
$83.88
$167.75
diesel
$5.61
$76.15
$152.30
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$79
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$104–$129
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 120.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
103.5
1
$36.21
$16.56
Efficient EV
86.2
0
$30.18
$13.80
EV Truck/SUV
138
1
$48.29
$22.07
Gas CO2
121 kg
EV CO2
40 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Monterey, CA
Afternoon
in Monterey on Thursday
Local time
1:06 PM
PDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Long Beach, CA
Afternoon
in Long Beach on Thursday
Local time
1:06 PM
PDT
Current temp
56°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
4 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
6h 44m 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 Monterey, CA to Long Beach, CA covers 344.9 miles and takes about 6h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are El Camino Real, I 5 Truck, Westside Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 172.5 miles from Monterey, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $79.27 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 1 meaningful break 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 344.9 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 1.6 miles (CA 68): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.6 miles (East Blanco Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 235.6 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Monterey, CA to Long Beach, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Bakersfield along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Pinnacles National Park, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and César E. Chávez National Monument.
