Embarking on a journey from Nice, CA to Long Beach, CA covers 505.9 miles and will take approximately 9 hours and 48 minutes of driving time. Given the distance and duration, this is best split over two days to allow for a more relaxed pace and to avoid excessive fatigue. The primary arteries for this drive are Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, and I 405 Truck, making up about 82% of the total route. With an estimated fuel cost of $116, it's a manageable expense for a long-distance trip within California. This route offers a straightforward passage through various landscapes as you make your way down the state.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
252.9 miles from Nice, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 5m into the drive
.
Loading map...
Drive Character
This long-distance drive is predominantly highway, with 82% of the route utilizing major freeways like Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, and I 405 Truck. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 224.4 miles on the Westside Freeway, which will likely be the most uninterrupted segment of your trip. While the overall profile is that of a long-distance drive, expect a consistent, albeit sometimes monotonous, freeway experience for the majority of your journey. The character of the road remains largely consistent, focusing on efficient travel rather than scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 48 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 224.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 106.4 miles in near I 780.
Route Complexity10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 32 significant decision points across 505.9 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 106.4 miles (I 780): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 134.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 135 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 32 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
106.4 mi into trip|~2h 23m in|I 780
Keep slight left at fork onto I 780 toward I 680 South: Martinez, San Jose
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 7B
Toward I 680 South: Martinez, San Jose
8
134.7 mi into trip|~2h 56m in
Take the exit toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 30A
Toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
8
135 mi into trip|~2h 56m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
7
135.7 mi into trip|~2h 58m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 580: Stockton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 580: Stockton
8
459 mi into trip|~8h 51m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Nice, CA and Long Beach, CA, road signs point toward San Jose and Stockton.
San Jose
106.4 mi in|~2h 23m|via I 780
Stockton
134.7 mi in|~2h 56m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
224.4 mi
4h
I 5 Truck
58.6 mi
1h 7m
I 405 Truck
23 mi
26m
Saint Helena Highway South
21.7 mi
25m
CA 175
19.7 mi
29m
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
19.2 mi
22m
San Diego Freeway
18 mi
20m
William Elton Brown Freeway
17 mi
18m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 224.4 mi, about 4h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nice, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on CA 20
1.4 mi·2 min·CA 20
2
Enter roundabout onto Nice-Lucerne Cutoff Road
237 ft·13 sec·Nice-Lucerne Cutoff Road
3
Continue on Nice-Lucerne Cutoff Road
2.6 mi·3 min·Nice-Lucerne Cutoff Road
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·12 sec
5
Merge onto CA 29
17 mi·21 min·CA 29
6
Turn right onto CA 175
6.9 mi·10 min·CA 175
7
Turn slight right onto CA 175
13 mi·19 min·CA 175
8
Turn right onto CA 29
16 mi·24 min·Calistoga Street
9
Continue on CA 29
1.0 mi·1 min·Lincoln Avenue
10
Turn left onto CA 29; CA 128
6.8 mi·7 min·Saint Helena Highway
11
Continue on CA 29; CA 128
2.4 mi·2 min·Main Street
12
Continue on CA 29; CA 128
22 mi·25 min·Saint Helena Highway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on CA 12; CA 29
1.3 mi·1 min·Napa–Vallejo Highway
14
Continue on CA 29
4.0 mi·4 min·Broadway Street
15
Continue on CA 29
1.8 mi·2 min·Sonoma Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on CA 29
1.1 mi·1 min·Sonoma Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn left onto Redwood Street
0.3 mi·44 sec·Redwood Street
Use the left / uturn lanes.
18
Turn right onto US 40 Hist
1.1 mi·1 min·Broadway Street
19
Turn slight left onto US 40 Hist
0.7 mi·1 min·Alameda Street
20
Turn left onto Curtola Parkway
7.1 mi·9 min·Curtola Parkway
Use the straight lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 780
0.7 mi·46 sec·I 780
Exit 7BToward I 680 South: Martinez, San Jose
22
Continue on I 680
8.0 mi·9 min·Benicia-Martinez Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
4.8 mi·5 min·Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on I 680
1.4 mi·1 min·Donald D Doyle Highway
25
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
13 mi·15 min·Donald D Doyle Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 30AToward I 580 East: Livermore, StocktonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 580 East: Livermore, StocktonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 580: StocktonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Merge onto I 580
1.4 mi·1 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
30
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
18 mi·20 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
11 mi·11 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
32
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
5.9 mi·6 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
33
Merge onto I 5
224 mi·4 hr·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
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.
37
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
23 mi·26 min·I 405 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
18 mi·20 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Take the exit
377 ft·9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long BeachUse the slight right lane.
40
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·39 sec·this road
Exit 32BToward I 710 South: Long Beach
41
Merge onto I 710
2.4 mi·3 min·Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Continue on I 710
0.5 mi·40 sec·Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
43
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, AquariumUse the slight left / straight lanes.
44
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·Shoreline Drive
45
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
0.2 mi·30 sec·South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
46
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·West Ocean Boulevard
47
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
0.1 mi·21 sec·East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
48
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
For this 505.9-mile drive, planning for two days is highly recommended. Aim to start early on your first day to cover a substantial portion, perhaps around 250-300 miles, before finding a comfortable place to stop for the night. With only two planned stops, ensure they are strategically chosen for fuel and rest. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 224.4-mile stretch on Westside Freeway, as services can sometimes be spaced out on long highway segments. The $116 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a buffer for unexpected detours or price fluctuations.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 252.9 miles from Nice, CA, or about 5h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 224.4 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 111 miles or 2h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 252.9 miles or 5h 5m 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 252.9 miles or 5h 5m
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 8h 36m
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 Nice, 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 Nice, CA
Aim for roughly 253 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Long Beach, CA
Aim for roughly 253 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 111 miles from Nice, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 224.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 252.9 mi from Nice, CA
· 5h 5m into the drive
The midpoint is around 262.4 miles from Nice, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Overnight split
Hotel stop
For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 262 miles or 4.4 hours on the road.
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.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Long Beach, 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
National Memorial
On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two s...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 108.6
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of American civilians on the WWII home front. Discover how diverse communities lived, worked, and interacted. Many faces, many stories, many truths...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
Free
near mile 108.6
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 488.6
Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park celebrates America’s maritime heritage on the Pacific Coast. Our 50-acre park has grown around Aquatic Park Cove, a protected area...
21 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 126.7
Walk among old growth coast redwoods, cooling their roots in the fresh water of Redwood Creek and lifting their crowns to reach the sun and fog. Federally protected as a National Monument since 1908,...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
$15
near mile 108.6
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...
28 mi from route
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 416.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$116.28 one way
$232.55 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg177 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$119.82
$239.65
premium
$6.18
$123.03
$246.06
diesel
$5.61
$111.70
$223.39
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$116
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$246–$356
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 177 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $53 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
151.8
1
$53.12
$24.28
Efficient EV
126.5
1
$44.27
$20.24
EV Truck/SUV
202.4
2
$70.83
$32.38
Gas CO2
177 kg
EV CO2
59 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 data refreshed 4 days ago
Origin
Nice, CA
Afternoon
in Nice on Tuesday
Local time
3:36 PM
PDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Long Beach, CA
Afternoon
in Long Beach on Tuesday
Local time
3:36 PM
PDT
Current temp
74°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
31 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
9h 48m 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 Nice, CA to Long Beach, CA covers 505.9 miles and takes about 9h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, I 405 Truck. 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 253 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 252.9 miles from Nice, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $116.28 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 32 significant decision points across 505.9 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 106.4 miles (I 780): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 134.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 135 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Nice, CA and Long Beach, CA, road signs point toward San Jose and Stockton.
