Origin
Santa Clarita, CA
Afternoon in Santa Clarita on Sunday
Local time
12:28 PM
PDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Santa Clarita, CA to Long Beach, CA
Drive Time
1h 11m
Distance
55.9 mi
90 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
Santa Clarita, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Long Beach, CA
Saidamir Mukhitdinov
Trip Overview
Traveling from Santa Clarita to Long Beach is a straightforward 55.9-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 11 minutes. Because this trip stays within the Pacific Coast region of California, you can easily complete the drive in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $13 on fuel for the trip, making it an affordable commute between these two areas. You will primarily utilize the Golden State Freeway and the San Diego Freeway to navigate the distance. Since the route is entirely highway-focused, it serves as a highly efficient connection rather than a leisurely sightseeing tour.
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
27.9 miles from Santa Clarita, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 36m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is defined by its high-speed, interstate-heavy nature, with 88% of your time spent on major highways. You will find yourself primarily on the I-405 Truck route and the San Diego Freeway, which feature a significant 23-mile uninterrupted stretch. Expect a consistent, fast-paced rhythm as you navigate these primary arteries through the Southern California landscape. The character of the road is strictly functional, prioritizing speed and directness over winding scenic paths. It is a classic interstate experience that requires focus as you transition between the Golden State Freeway and the coastal highway system.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 405 Truck is the longest continuous segment at about 23 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 405 Truck and San Diego Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.9 miles in near CA 14 / Antelope Valley Freeway.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 55.9 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 4.9 miles (CA 14 / Antelope Valley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 9 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
4.9 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
CA 14 / Antelope Valley Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 14 / Antelope Valley Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
5.9 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
9 mi into trip
|
~14m 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
6
9.3 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
I 405 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
53.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m 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 |
|---|---|---|
| I 405 Truck | 23 mi | 26m |
| San Diego Freeway | 18 mi | 20m |
| Golden State Freeway | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Long Beach Freeway | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Antelope Valley Freeway | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Newhall Avenue | 2 mi | 4m |
| Shoreline Drive | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Orchard Village Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 405 Truck
— 23 mi, about 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Clarita, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on Newhall Avenue
451 ft
·
21 sec
·
Newhall Avenue
2
Turn right onto 16th Street
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
16th Street
3
Turn left onto Orchard Village Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Orchard Village Road
Use the none lane.
4
Turn left onto Lyons Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Lyons Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto Newhall Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Newhall Avenue
Use the none lane.
6
Enter roundabout onto Newhall Avenue
73 ft
·
2 sec
·
Newhall Avenue
7
Continue on Newhall Avenue
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Newhall Avenue
Use the none lane.
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 2
Toward CA 14 South: Los Angeles
9
Merge onto CA 14
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Antelope Valley Freeway
10
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 14
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Antelope Valley Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 5
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the none lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
·
I 5 Truck
Exit 158
Toward I 405 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
23 mi
·
26 min
·
I 405 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
18 mi
·
20 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
377 ft
·
9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long Beach
Use the slight right lane.
17
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
this road
Exit 32B
Toward I 710 South: Long Beach
18
Merge onto I 710
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Long Beach Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 710
0.5 mi
·
40 sec
·
Seaside Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, Aquarium
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
21
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Shoreline Drive
Use the none lane.
22
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
23
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Ocean Boulevard
Use the none lane.
24
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
25
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given that this route is a relatively quick 1-hour and 11-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, because the route relies so heavily on major Southern California freeways, you should check real-time traffic conditions before heading out to avoid peak congestion. Since there are zero official stops planned, make sure your fuel tank is ready for the $13 estimated expenditure before you merge onto the I-405. Use the direct nature of this 55.9-mile trip to your advantage by planning your arrival in Long Beach with precision. If you prefer a smoother experience, try timing your departure to avoid the typical morning or evening rush hours common on these high-traffic corridors.
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 27.9 miles from Santa Clarita, CA, or about 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 23 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 55.9 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 27.9 miles or 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 58m
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 Santa Clarita, 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 Santa Clarita, CA
This is one driving day of about 55.9 miles and 1h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Santa Clarita, 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 I 405 Truck for about 23 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 27.9 mi from Santa Clarita, CA · 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
28 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 55.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 27.9 miles from Santa Clarita, 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
$12.95 one way
$25.89 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $13.35 | $26.70 |
| premium | $6.24 | $13.74 | $27.48 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $12.42 | $24.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.8 | 0 | $5.87 | $2.68 |
| Efficient EV | 14 | 0 | $4.89 | $2.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.4 | 0 | $7.83 | $3.58 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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
12:28 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
2 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
1h 11m 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 Santa Clarita, CA to Long Beach, CA covers 55.9 miles and takes about 1h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 405 Truck, San Diego Freeway, Golden State Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 27.9 miles from Santa Clarita, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.95 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 is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 55.9 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 4.9 miles (CA 14 / Antelope Valley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 9 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Santa Clarita, CA to Long Beach, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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