Trip from South Oroville, CA to Long Beach, CA

Data updated 3 hours ago

Drive Time

8h 53m

Distance

474.6 mi

764 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$109

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min

4 AM

8h 45m ★

6 AM

8h 53m

8 AM

9h 9m

10 AM

8h 59m

12 PM

8h 57m

3 PM

9h 0m

5 PM

9h 8m

8 PM

8h 48m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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South Oroville, CA

Stephen Leonardi

city in Los Angeles County, California, United States

Long Beach, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 474.6-mile journey from South Oroville, CA, to Long Beach, CA, is a significant undertaking, estimated to take 8 hours and 53 minutes of driving time. Given the duration, it's highly recommended to split this drive over two days to avoid fatigue. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 95% of it on major roads, and will likely cost around $109 for fuel. You'll be traversing the Pacific Coast region throughout this trip, making it a continuous experience within California. With just two planned stops, you'll spend a considerable amount of time on the road, so preparing for a long haul is key.

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

237.3 miles from South Oroville, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 27m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, with 95% of the route utilizing major highways. The main roads you'll follow include Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, and CA 70. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a considerable 303.7 miles on the Westside Freeway, indicating long periods of consistent driving. This route offers a profile best described as a highway-centric experience, meaning you'll be covering distance efficiently rather than on winding scenic byways.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 30 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 303.7 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 31.5 miles in near CA 70.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 474.6 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 31.5 miles (CA 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 128.7 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 365.3 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 21 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

31.5 mi into trip | ~41m in | CA 70

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 70

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

128.7 mi into trip | ~2h 30m 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.

365.3 mi into trip | ~6h 44m 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.

427.7 mi into trip | ~7h 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

472.2 mi into trip | ~8h 48m 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	303.7 mi	5h 28m
I 5 Truck	58.6 mi	1h 7m
CA 70	40.7 mi	48m
I 405 Truck	23 mi	26m
San Diego Freeway	18 mi	20m
Golden State Highway	7.7 mi	8m
Bernie Richter Memorial Highway	4.9 mi	5m
E Street	4.2 mi	5m

Longest stretch: Westside Freeway — 303.7 mi, about 5h 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between South Oroville, CA and Long Beach, CA.

Start on Elgin Street

369 ft · 18 sec · Elgin Street

Turn right onto Lincoln Street

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Lincoln Street

Continue on Lincoln Boulevard

2.1 mi · 3 min · Lincoln Boulevard

Turn right onto Ophir Road

1.6 mi · 2 min · Ophir Road

Turn left onto CA 70

11 mi · 12 min · CA 70

Continue on CA 70

11 mi · 12 min · CA 70

Continue on CA 70

1.5 mi · 3 min · CA 70

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto 5th Street

0.2 mi · 31 sec · 5th Street

Turn left onto CA 70

4.2 mi · 5 min · E Street

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 70

18 mi · 20 min · CA 70

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto CA 99

4.9 mi · 5 min · Bernie Richter Memorial Highway

Continue on CA 99

7.7 mi · 8 min · Golden State Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 5

66 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Westside Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

0.8 mi · 48 sec · Westside Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

237 mi · 4 hr 13 min · Westside Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck

58 mi · 1 hr 6 min · I 5 Truck

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

4.1 mi · 4 min · Golden State Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck

23 mi · 26 min · I 405 Truck

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 405

18 mi · 20 min · San Diego Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

377 ft · 9 sec

Toward I 710 South: Long Beach Use the slight right lane.

Continue on this road

0.3 mi · 39 sec · this road

Exit 32B Toward I 710 South: Long Beach

Merge onto I 710

2.4 mi · 3 min · Long Beach Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 710

0.5 mi · 40 sec · Seaside Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec

Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, Aquarium Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Continue on Shoreline Drive

1.3 mi · 2 min · Shoreline Drive

Turn left onto South Chestnut Place

0.2 mi · 30 sec · South Chestnut Place

Use the left / uturn lanes.

Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Ocean Boulevard

Continue on East Ocean Boulevard

0.1 mi · 21 sec · East Ocean Boulevard

Use the left lane.

Arrive at destination

East Ocean Boulevard

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 474.6-mile drive, plan for an early morning departure to maximize daylight and minimize traffic, especially as you approach the Los Angeles area. Splitting the drive over two days is strongly advised, with a good stopping point around the halfway mark to break up the 8 hours and 53 minutes of estimated travel. Be mindful of the longest stretch of 303.7 miles; ensure you have ample fuel before embarking on this segment. With an estimated fuel cost of $109, budgeting for gas is essential, and checking your tire pressure before you leave can also improve fuel efficiency on this predominantly highway route.

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 237.3 miles from South Oroville, CA, or about 4h 27m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 303.7 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 104 miles or 2h 3m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 237.3 miles or 4h 27m 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 237.3 miles or 4h 27m

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 7h 40m

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 South Oroville, 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 South Oroville, CA

Aim for roughly 237 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Long Beach, CA

Aim for roughly 237 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 104 miles from South Oroville, 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 303.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 237.3 mi from South Oroville, CA · 4h 27m into the drive

county seat of Fresno County, California, United States

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Fresno, CA

237 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Fresno, CA

Popular next leg

Fresno, CA to Long Beach, CA

242.8 mi · 4h 35m

Overnight Options

Night 1

Fresno, CA

237 mi · about 4.4h in

A practical overnight split lands near Fresno, CA after about 237 miles or 4.4 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Stockton, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 104 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Modesto, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 237.3 miles from South Oroville, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 303.7 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 237 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.

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 441.9

View on nps.gov

César E. Chávez National Monument

National Monument

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 ~70 min detour Free near mile 360

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$109.08 one way

$218.17 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 166 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$6.02	$112.41	$224.82
premium	$6.18	$115.42	$230.83
diesel	$5.61	$104.79	$209.57

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$109

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$239–$349

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 166.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $50 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	142.4	1	$49.83	$22.78
Efficient EV	118.7	1	$41.53	$18.98
EV Truck/SUV	189.8	2	$66.44	$30.37

Gas CO2

166 kg

EV CO2

56 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 data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

South Oroville, CA

Evening in South Oroville on Tuesday

Local time

7:48 PM

PDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Long Beach, CA

Evening in Long Beach on Tuesday

Local time

7:48 PM

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.

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

6 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

8h 53m 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 South Oroville, CA to Long Beach, CA covers 474.6 miles and takes about 8h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, CA 70. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

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 237 miles on day one.

The midpoint is about 237.3 miles from South Oroville, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $109.08 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.

The route from South Oroville, CA to Long Beach, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Trip from South Oroville, CA to Long Beach, CA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Overnight Options

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Long Beach, CA

National Parks Near This Route

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

César E. Chávez National Monument

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

South Oroville, CA

Long Beach, CA

Same local time

6 degrees warmer at arrival

8h 53m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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