The drive from Plymouth, CA to Long Beach, CA covers 409.2 miles and takes about 7h 48m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, I 405 Truck for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 250.2 miles on Westside Freeway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $94.05 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
204.6 miles from Plymouth, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 57m into the drive
.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 48m. Total distance: 409.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 48m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 7h 48m highway drive covering 409.2 miles, with most of the trip on Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck. The longest continuous stretch is about 250.2 miles on Westside Freeway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 35 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 250.2 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 25 miles in near CA 12; CA 88.
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 27 significant decision points across 409.2 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 25 miles (CA 12; CA 88): Lane positioning matters here; at 63.3 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 299.9 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 27 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
25 mi into trip|~35m in|CA 12; CA 88
At end of road, turn right onto CA 12; CA 88
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
63.3 mi into trip|~1h 26m in|I 5 / Westside Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Westside Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
299.9 mi into trip|~5h 39m 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
362.3 mi into trip|~6h 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
7
406.8 mi into trip|~7h 43m 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,...
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
250.2 mi
4h 28m
I 5 Truck
58.6 mi
1h 7m
I 405 Truck
23 mi
26m
CA 12
19.3 mi
27m
San Diego Freeway
18 mi
20m
CA 88
11.7 mi
16m
East Plymouth Highway
8 mi
10m
Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 250.2 mi, about 4h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plymouth, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on CA 49
200 ft·3 sec·CA 49
2
Continue on CA 49
2.4 mi·3 min·CA 49
3
Continue on CA 16
0.3 mi·27 sec·Jackson Road
4
Turn left onto CA 124
8.0 mi·10 min·East Plymouth Highway
Use the left lane.
5
Turn left onto CA 104; CA 124
0.1 mi·28 sec·Preston Avenue
6
At end of road, turn left onto CA 104; CA 124
345 ft·14 sec·East Main Street
7
Turn right onto CA 124
2.3 mi·3 min·South Church Street
8
At end of road, turn right onto CA 88
8.8 mi·11 min·CA 88
9
Enter roundabout onto CA 88
193 ft·3 sec·CA 88
10
Continue on CA 88
2.9 mi·4 min·CA 88
11
At end of road, turn right onto CA 12; CA 88
19 mi·27 min·CA 12; CA 88
Use the right lane.
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
13
Merge onto CA 99
1.3 mi·1 min·CA 99
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward CA 4
15
Merge onto CA 4
2.4 mi·2 min·Crosstown Freeway
16
Take the exit onto CA 4
0.4 mi·50 sec·CA 4
Toward I 5: Sacramento
17
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 4
0.7 mi·1 min·CA 4
Toward I 5 South
18
Merge onto I 5; CA 4
13 mi·14 min·Westside Freeway
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi·48 sec·Westside Freeway
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
237 mi·4 hr 13 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
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.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
23 mi·26 min·I 405 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
18 mi·20 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
377 ft·9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long BeachUse the slight right lane.
27
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·39 sec·this road
Exit 32BToward I 710 South: Long Beach
28
Merge onto I 710
2.4 mi·3 min·Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on I 710
0.5 mi·40 sec·Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, AquariumUse the slight left / straight lanes.
31
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·Shoreline Drive
32
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
0.2 mi·30 sec·South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
33
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·West Ocean Boulevard
34
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
0.1 mi·21 sec·East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
35
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
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 204.6 miles from Plymouth, CA, or about 3h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 250.2 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 90 miles or 1h 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 204.6 miles or 3h 57m 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 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 Plymouth, 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 Plymouth, CA
This is one driving day of about 409.2 miles and 7h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 90 miles from Plymouth, 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.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 250.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 204.6 mi from Plymouth, CA
· 3h 57m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 381
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 296.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$94.05 one way
$188.10 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg143 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$96.92
$193.84
premium
$6.18
$99.51
$199.03
diesel
$5.61
$90.35
$180.69
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$94
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$119–$144
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 143.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
122.8
1
$42.97
$19.64
Efficient EV
102.3
1
$35.81
$16.37
EV Truck/SUV
163.7
2
$57.29
$26.19
Gas CO2
143 kg
EV CO2
48 kg (66% 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
Plymouth, CA
Late night
in Plymouth on Saturday
Local time
1:01 AM
PDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Long Beach, CA
Late night
in Long Beach on Saturday
Local time
1:01 AM
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
10 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 48m 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 Plymouth, CA to Long Beach, CA covers 409.2 miles and takes about 7h 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. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 204.6 miles from Plymouth, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $94.05 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 27 significant decision points across 409.2 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 25 miles (CA 12; CA 88): Lane positioning matters here; at 63.3 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 299.9 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Plymouth, CA to Long Beach, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and César E. Chávez National Monument.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
