Traveling from Santa Paula to Long Beach is a straightforward 88.3-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 52 minutes. Because the route is entirely within the Pacific Coast region of California, you will experience a consistent coastal transition as you head toward the harbor. This drive is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, making an overnight stay unnecessary unless your schedule requires it. Budgeting approximately $20 for fuel should cover the trip comfortably, even with fluctuating gas prices. Since there are no mandatory stops required to complete the route, you have the flexibility to power through or take your time as you transition from the inland valley atmosphere of Santa Paula to the urban coastal environment of Long Beach.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.2 miles from Santa Paula, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 405 Truck
23 mi
26m
San Diego Freeway
18 mi
20m
Golden State Freeway
13.3 mi
15m
West Telegraph Road
12.7 mi
16m
East Telegraph Road
6.9 mi
9m
Henry Mayo Drive
4.3 mi
5m
Long Beach Freeway
2.4 mi
3m
Ventura Street
2.2 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 405 Truck
— 23 mi, about 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Paula, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on East Main Street
0.5 mi·1 min·East Main Street
2
Continue on East Main Street
110 ft·5 sec·East Main Street
3
Turn left onto East Telegraph Road
0.5 mi·1 min·East Telegraph Road
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto South Hallock Drive
0.1 mi·22 sec·South Hallock Drive
Use the right lane.
5
Turn left onto CA 126
6.3 mi·8 min·East Telegraph Road
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on CA 126
2.2 mi·4 min·Ventura Street
7
Continue on CA 126
13 mi·16 min·West Telegraph Road
8
Continue on CA 126
4.3 mi·5 min·Henry Mayo Drive
9
Turn straight onto CA 126
1.2 mi·1 min·Korean War Veterans' Memorial Highway
10
Take the exit onto CA 126
0.2 mi·19 sec·CA 126
Toward I 5 South: Los Angeles
11
Continue on I 5
0.5 mi·1 min·Golden State Freeway
12
Merge onto I 5; CA 126
8.7 mi·10 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
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.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
23 mi·26 min·I 405 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
18 mi·20 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
377 ft·9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long BeachUse the slight right lane.
18
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·39 sec·this road
Exit 32BToward I 710 South: Long Beach
19
Merge onto I 710
2.4 mi·3 min·Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 710
0.5 mi·40 sec·Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, AquariumUse the slight left / straight lanes.
22
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·Shoreline Drive
23
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
0.2 mi·30 sec·South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
24
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·West Ocean Boulevard
25
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
0.1 mi·21 sec·East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
26
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
To ensure the smoothest experience, plan your departure to avoid the heaviest peak-hour traffic common on the I-405 and Golden State corridors. Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of total flexibility regarding your departure time, though traveling outside of rush hour will make the 1 hour and 52-minute duration much more predictable. Keep your fuel gauge in mind before hitting the dense freeway sections, as stopping for gas in heavy traffic can add unnecessary time to your arrival. A great strategy for this specific 88.3-mile route is to check real-time traffic apps just before you leave Santa Paula, as the freeway conditions can shift rapidly. By staying alert to the flow on the San Diego Freeway, you can easily manage the transition into Long Beach without any stress.
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 44.2 miles from Santa Paula, CA, or about 58m 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 19 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.2 miles or 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 33m
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 Paula, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Santa Paula, CA
This is one driving day of about 88.3 miles and 1h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Santa Paula, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 85.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.2 mi into trip|~2m in|CA 126 / East Telegraph Road
Turn left onto CA 126 / East Telegraph Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
37.4 mi into trip|~50m in|I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
41.4 mi into trip|~55m 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
41.7 mi into trip|~55m 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
85.9 mi into trip|~1h 47m 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,...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.30 one way
$40.59 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$20.91
$41.83
premium
$6.18
$21.47
$42.95
diesel
$5.61
$19.50
$38.99
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.5
0
$9.27
$4.24
Efficient EV
22.1
0
$7.73
$3.53
EV Truck/SUV
35.3
0
$12.36
$5.65
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Santa Paula, CA
Morning
in Santa Paula on Saturday
Local time
11:15 AM
PDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Long Beach, CA
Morning
in Long Beach on Saturday
Local time
11:15 AM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
SSW 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 8:38AM PDT until April 16 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Eureka CA
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 8:38AM PDT until April 16 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Eureka CA
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
21 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
1h 52m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 54.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This highway-focused drive relies heavily on major arteries, including the I-405 Truck route, the San Diego Freeway, and the Golden State Freeway. With 65% of the trip spent on highways, expect a steady, fast-paced experience rather than a slow, winding backroad excursion. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 23 miles on the I-405 Truck, which serves as the primary backbone of your transit. The road personality shifts from the quieter, regional corridors near Santa Paula into the high-traffic intensity of the Southern California freeway system. Be prepared for a functional, commuter-style drive that prioritizes speed and efficiency as you navigate toward the coast.
65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 23 mi on I 405 Truck.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 1.2 miles in near CA 126 / East Telegraph Road.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 88.3 miles you will encounter 16 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 1.2 miles (CA 126 / East Telegraph Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 37.4 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 41.4 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Top landmarks
•RMS Queen Mary — retired British ocean liner
•Terminal Island — island in Los Angeles County, California, United States
•Aquarium of the Pacific — public aquarium in Long Beach, California
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 52m. Total distance: 88.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (65%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 23 miles on I 405 Truck. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Long Beach, CA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles (CA 126 / East Telegraph Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 37.4 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 41.4 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Long Beach, CA before heading back.
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.
