Origin
Pasadena, CA
Afternoon in Pasadena on Sunday
Local time
1:35 PM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pasadena, CA to Long Beach, CA
Drive Time
44m
Distance
29.6 mi
48 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 41m
★
6 AM
0h 45m
8 AM
0h 52m
10 AM
0h 47m
12 PM
0h 46m
3 PM
0h 48m
5 PM
0h 52m
8 PM
0h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pasadena, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Long Beach, CA
Saidamir Mukhitdinov
Trip Overview
Traveling from Pasadena to Long Beach covers a direct 29.6-mile path across the Pacific Coast region. You can easily complete this drive in about 44 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of approximately $4, the journey is both efficient and budget-friendly. You will navigate primarily via the Long Beach Freeway, complemented by short stretches on Fremont Avenue and South Fair Oaks Avenue. Because the total duration is under an hour, there is no need to worry about overnight lodging, allowing you maximum flexibility for your itinerary. This route offers a straightforward transition between these two Southern California hubs.
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
14.8 miles from Pasadena, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 24m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 71% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. The core of your commute is a 20.6-mile stretch on the Long Beach Freeway, which serves as the backbone of the journey. You will start with brief segments on local roads like South Fair Oaks Avenue and Fremont Avenue before merging into the faster-paced highway environment. Expect a consistent, functional drive that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic detours. Being behind the wheel here is all about steady progress, as you transition from the inland Pasadena area toward the coastal environment of Long Beach.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Long Beach Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 20.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Long Beach Freeway and Fremont Avenue. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 66 Hist / East Colorado Boulevard.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 29.6 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 66 Hist / East Colorado Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles (South Fair Oaks Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles (Columbia Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 66 Hist / East Colorado Boulevard
At end of road, turn right onto US 66 Hist / East Colorado Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
South Fair Oaks Avenue
Turn left onto South Fair Oaks Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
Columbia Street
Turn right onto Columbia Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
27.1 mi into trip
|
~39m 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,...
6
29 mi into trip
|
~42m in
|
West Ocean Boulevard
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Towns Along This Route
Between Pasadena, CA and Long Beach, CA, road signs point toward Convention Center and Aquarium.
Convention Center
27.1 mi in
|
~39m
Aquarium
27.1 mi in
|
~39m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Long Beach Freeway | 20.6 mi | 25m |
| Fremont Avenue | 3.3 mi | 7m |
| South Fair Oaks Avenue | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Shoreline Drive | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| West Valley Boulevard | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West Ocean Boulevard | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Seaside Freeway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| East Colorado Boulevard | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Long Beach Freeway
— 20.6 mi, about 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pasadena, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on East Holly Street
73 ft
·
5 sec
·
East Holly Street
2
Turn right onto North Garfield Avenue
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
North Garfield Avenue
3
At end of road, turn right onto US 66 Hist
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
East Colorado Boulevard
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left onto South Fair Oaks Avenue
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
South Fair Oaks Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto Columbia Street
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
Columbia Street
Use the none lane.
6
Turn left onto Fremont Avenue
3.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Fremont Avenue
Use the none lane.
7
Turn right onto West Valley Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Valley Boulevard
Use the right lane.
8
Turn left onto I 710
21 mi
·
25 min
·
Long Beach Freeway
Use the left lane.
9
Continue on I 710
0.5 mi
·
40 sec
·
Seaside Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, Aquarium
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
11
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Shoreline Drive
Use the none lane.
12
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
13
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Ocean Boulevard
Use the none lane.
14
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
15
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 29.6-mile excursion, you have plenty of scheduling freedom to depart whenever fits your plans best. Given the heavy reliance on the Long Beach Freeway, keep in mind that traffic flow can fluctuate significantly during peak commuting hours. You won't need to plan for any formal stops, as the duration is manageable without a break. To ensure a smooth experience, verify your fuel levels before heading out to stay within your $4 budget. A helpful tip for this specific route is to monitor real-time traffic reports for the Long Beach Freeway before you leave, as this single stretch accounts for the vast majority of your travel time.
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 14.8 miles from Pasadena, CA, or about 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 20.6 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 29.6 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 14.8 miles or 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 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 Pasadena, 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 Pasadena, CA
This is one driving day of about 29.6 miles and 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Pasadena, 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.
The longest stretch is on Long Beach Freeway for about 20.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 14.8 mi from Pasadena, CA · 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
15 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 29.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 14.8 miles from Pasadena, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.85 one way
$13.71 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
10 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $7.07 | $14.14 |
| premium | $6.24 | $7.28 | $14.55 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $6.58 | $13.15 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.9 | 0 | $3.11 | $1.42 |
| Efficient EV | 7.4 | 0 | $2.59 | $1.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11.8 | 0 | $4.14 | $1.89 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Long Beach, CA
Afternoon in Long Beach on Sunday
Local time
1:35 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.
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
3 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
44m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Pasadena, CA to Long Beach, CA covers 29.6 miles and takes about 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Long Beach Freeway, Fremont Avenue, South Fair Oaks Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 14.8 miles from Pasadena, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.85 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 29.6 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 66 Hist / East Colorado Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles (South Fair Oaks Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles (Columbia Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Between Pasadena, CA and Long Beach, CA, road signs point toward Convention Center and Aquarium.
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