Origin
Villa Park, CA
Evening in Villa Park on Tuesday
Local time
7:43 PM
PDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Villa Park, CA to Long Beach, CA
Data updated 2 hours ago
Drive Time
38m
Distance
25.1 mi
40 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 35m
★
6 AM
0h 39m
8 AM
0h 45m
10 AM
0h 41m
12 PM
0h 40m
3 PM
0h 41m
5 PM
0h 45m
8 PM
0h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Villa Park, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Long Beach, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 25.1-mile drive from Villa Park, CA to Long Beach, CA takes about 38 minutes and is perfect for a single-day trip. You'll primarily navigate via the Garden Grove Freeway and East 7th Street, with a portion on CA 22. With a fuel cost estimated at $6, this route is budget-friendly. The drive focuses heavily on highway travel, making it an efficient way to get from the Pacific Coast region to another part of the Pacific Coast. It's a quick journey, ideal for those looking to minimize travel time between these two Southern California locations.
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
12.6 miles from Villa Park, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 16m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for about 74% of this 25.1-mile trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 12.7 miles, primarily on the Garden Grove Freeway. This means you'll spend a good portion of your 38-minute drive on faster-paced roads. While primarily highway, the route does incorporate some local street driving, particularly on East 7th Street as you approach Long Beach. The overall feel is one of efficient transit rather than scenic exploration.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Garden Grove Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 12.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden Grove Freeway and East 7th Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 25.1 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 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.6 miles (CA 55 / Costa Mesa Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
1.4 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Turn left toward CA 55 South: Newport Beach, Costa Mesa Freeway
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward CA 55 South: Newport Beach, Costa Mesa F...
5
1.6 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
CA 55 / Costa Mesa Freeway
Merge onto CA 55 / Costa Mesa Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
3.4 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the exit toward CA 22 West: Garden Grove Freeway, Long Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 13
Toward CA 22 West: Garden Grove Freeway, Long B...
7
18.2 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
CA 22
Take the exit onto CA 22 toward CA 22 West: Long Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 23
Toward CA 22 West: Long Beach
6
23.5 mi into trip
|
~33m in
|
Rose Avenue
Turn left onto Rose Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden Grove Freeway | 12.7 mi | 14m |
| East 7th Street | 2.7 mi | 6m |
| CA 22 | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| Costa Mesa Freeway | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| San Diego Freeway | 1.7 mi | 1m |
| East 4th Street | 0.7 mi | 2m |
| East Katella Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Villa Park Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Garden Grove Freeway
— 12.7 mi, about 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Villa Park, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on Center Street
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
Center Street
2
Turn right onto S18
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
Villa Park Road
3
Continue on S18
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Katella Avenue
4
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward CA 55 South: Newport Beach, Costa Mesa Freeway
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto CA 55
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Costa Mesa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 13
Toward CA 22 West: Garden Grove Freeway, Long Beach
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto CA 22
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Garden Grove Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on CA 22; I 405
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto CA 22
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
CA 22
Exit 23
Toward CA 22 West: Long Beach
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto East 7th Street
2.7 mi
·
6 min
·
East 7th Street
11
Turn left onto Rose Avenue
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
Rose Avenue
Use the left lane.
12
At end of road, turn right onto East 4th Street
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
East 4th Street
13
Turn left onto Alamitos Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Alamitos Avenue
Use the left lane.
14
Turn right onto East Ocean Boulevard
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Ocean Boulevard
Use the right lane.
15
Arrive at destination
East Ocean Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the short 38-minute duration and 25.1-mile distance, this trip offers a lot of flexibility. You won't need to worry about splitting the drive or extensive rest stops. Aiming to leave outside of peak commute hours will ensure the quickest travel time, though the $6 fuel cost remains constant. Keep an eye on traffic conditions as you approach Long Beach, as local street congestion can sometimes add unexpected delays. Since there are no designated stops, you can easily make this a point-to-point journey or add your own spontaneous detours.
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 12.6 miles from Villa Park, CA, or about 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 12.7 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 25.1 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 12.6 miles or 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 28m
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 Villa Park, 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 Villa Park, CA
This is one driving day of about 25.1 miles and 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Villa Park, 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 Garden Grove Freeway for about 12.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 12.6 mi from Villa Park, CA · 16m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
13 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 25.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 12.6 miles from Villa Park, 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
$5.77 one way
$11.54 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
9 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $5.94 | $11.89 |
| premium | $6.18 | $6.10 | $12.21 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $5.54 | $11.08 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 8.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.5 | 0 | $2.64 | $1.20 |
| Efficient EV | 6.3 | 0 | $2.20 | $1.00 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 10 | 0 | $3.51 | $1.61 |
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (67% 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
Evening in Long Beach on Tuesday
Local time
7:43 PM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Sunny
WNW 10 mph
0% chance
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
13 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
38m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Villa Park, CA to Long Beach, CA covers 25.1 miles and takes about 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden Grove Freeway, East 7th Street, CA 22. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 12.6 miles from Villa Park, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.77 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 11 significant decision points across 25.1 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 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.6 miles (CA 55 / Costa Mesa Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Villa Park, CA to Long Beach, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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