This 236.7-mile drive from Templeton, CA to Long Beach, CA will take approximately 4 hours and 35 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-5 Truck and Westside Freeway, this route is a straightforward, highway-focused journey. With a fuel cost estimated at $54, it's an economical option for a single-day trip. The drive is best suited for one day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. You'll be traveling within the Pacific Coast region for the entire trip, making for a consistent experience.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
118.4 miles from Templeton, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 16m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 35m. Total distance: 236.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for 80% of this route, predominantly on I-5 Truck and Westside Freeway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 58.6 miles on I-5 Truck, offering a good period of consistent cruising. While largely highway, there are sections on Paso Robles Highway that may offer a slightly different feel. This route generally maintains a steady pace, making it a practical choice for covering distance efficiently without significant scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 5 Truck is the longest continuous segment at about 58.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 Truck and Westside Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 127.4 miles in near I 5 Truck.
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 21 significant decision points across 236.7 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 127.4 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 185.8 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 189.9 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.
6
127.4 mi into trip|~2h 26m 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.
6
185.8 mi into trip|~3h 33m 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
189.9 mi into trip|~3h 38m 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
190.1 mi into trip|~3h 38m 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
234.3 mi into trip|~4h 30m 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 5 Truck
58.6 mi
1h 7m
Westside Freeway
56.8 mi
1h
Paso Robles Highway
32.3 mi
38m
CA 46
24.4 mi
28m
I 405 Truck
23 mi
26m
San Diego Freeway
18 mi
20m
Antelope Road
5.3 mi
6m
El Camino Real
5.1 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 5 Truck
— 58.6 mi, about 1h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Templeton, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on this road
160 ft·17 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto South Main Street
1.2 mi·2 min·South Main Street
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward US 101 North
4
Merge onto US 101
5.1 mi·5 min·El Camino Real
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward CA 46 East: Fresno, Bakersfield
6
Turn right onto CA 46
24 mi·28 min·CA 46
7
Merge onto CA 41; CA 46
1.4 mi·1 min·CA 41; CA 46
8
Turn slight right
490 ft·6 sec
9
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 46
5.3 mi·6 min·Antelope Road
10
Continue on CA 46
32 mi·38 min·Paso Robles Highway
Use the slight left lane.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·24 sec
12
Merge onto I 5
57 mi·1 hr·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
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.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
23 mi·26 min·I 405 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
18 mi·20 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
377 ft·9 sec
Toward I 710 South: Long BeachUse the slight right lane.
19
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·39 sec·this road
Exit 32BToward I 710 South: Long Beach
20
Merge onto I 710
2.4 mi·3 min·Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 710
0.5 mi·40 sec·Seaside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, AquariumUse the slight left / straight lanes.
23
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·Shoreline Drive
24
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
0.2 mi·30 sec·South Chestnut Place
Use the left / uturn lanes.
25
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·West Ocean Boulevard
26
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
0.1 mi·21 sec·East Ocean Boulevard
Use the left lane.
27
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
Consider an early morning departure from Templeton to maximize your daylight hours and potentially avoid some traffic as you approach Long Beach. With a total duration of under five hours, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day with just one planned stop. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 58.6-mile stretch on I-5 Truck, as services might be less frequent. This relatively short drive offers flexibility; however, planning your fuel and rest stops strategically will ensure a smooth journey.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 118.4 miles from Templeton, CA, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.6 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 52 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.4 miles or 2h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 43m
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 Templeton, 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 Templeton, CA
This is one driving day of about 236.7 miles and 4h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Templeton, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 5 Truck for about 58.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 118.4 mi from Templeton, CA
· 2h 16m into the drive
The midpoint is around 120.1 miles from Templeton, 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.
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 207.1
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
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 132.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.40 one way
$108.81 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$56.06
$112.12
premium
$6.18
$57.56
$115.13
diesel
$5.61
$52.26
$104.52
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71
0
$24.85
$11.36
Efficient EV
59.2
0
$20.71
$9.47
EV Truck/SUV
94.7
1
$33.14
$15.15
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Templeton, CA
Afternoon
in Templeton on Thursday
Local time
4:44 PM
PDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Long Beach, CA
Afternoon
in Long Beach on Thursday
Local time
4:44 PM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
SSW 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive 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
26 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
4h 35m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Templeton, CA to Long Beach, CA covers 236.7 miles and takes about 4h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5 Truck, Westside Freeway, Paso Robles Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 118.4 miles from Templeton, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $54.40 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break 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 21 significant decision points across 236.7 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 127.4 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 185.8 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 189.9 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Templeton, CA to Long Beach, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
