How far is Long Beach, CA from Ridgecrest, CA?
The driving distance from Long Beach, CA to Ridgecrest, CA is about 176.1 miles (283.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 131.5 miles (211.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 03h 33m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Long Beach and Ridgecrest.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Long Beach and Ridgecrest.
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1
Start on East Ocean Boulevard
1.2 km · 2 min · East Ocean Boulevard
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2
Turn right onto North Golden Avenue
126 m · 7 sec · North Golden Avenue
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3
Keep slight left to continue on I 710 North
761 ft · 19 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Shoreline Drive
2800 ft · 48 sec · Shoreline Drive
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5
Keep slight left to continue on I 710 North
1984 ft · 32 sec
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6
Merge slight right onto Seaside Freeway
2683 ft · 42 sec · Seaside Freeway
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7
Continue on Long Beach Freeway
2.3 mi · 3 min · Long Beach Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 405 North, I 405 South: Santa Monica, San Diego
697 ft · 11 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 405 North, I 710: Long Beach Freeway North, Santa Monica
855 ft · 21 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 405 North: Santa Monica
1348 ft · 33 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 405 North: Santa Monica
1500 ft · 37 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 405 North
1656 ft · 41 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
40.8 mi · 47 min · San Diego Freeway
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14
Merge slight right
1.6 mi · 2 min
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15
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
1.5 mi · 2 min
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16
Keep slight right to continue on CA 14 North: Palmdale, Lancaster
45.7 mi · 53 min
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17
Keep slight left to continue on Aerospace Highway
19.1 mi · 20 min · Aerospace Highway
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18
Continue on Sierra Highway
4.7 mi · 6 min · Sierra Highway
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19
Turn right onto Aerospace Highway
20 mi · 23 min · Aerospace Highway
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20
Continue on Midland Trail
1729 ft · 23 sec · Midland Trail
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21
Turn right onto Redrock Randsburg Road
12.1 mi · 17 min · Redrock Randsburg Road
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22
Continue on Garlock Road
8.4 mi · 12 min · Garlock Road
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23
At the end of the road, turn left onto Blue Star Memorial Highway
9.8 mi · 11 min · Blue Star Memorial Highway
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24
Turn slight right onto South China Lake Boulevard
6.1 mi · 9 min · South China Lake Boulevard
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25
Turn left onto West Ridgecrest Boulevard
127 m · 26 sec · West Ridgecrest Boulevard
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26
Continue on West Ridgecrest Boulevard
23 m · 3 sec · West Ridgecrest Boulevard
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Ridgecrest Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Long Beach and Ridgecrest.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
CA 14 North
Keep slight right to continue on CA 14 North: Palmdale, Lancaster
45.7 mi · 00h 53m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Long Beach and Sunny near Ridgecrest.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Long Beach to Ridgecrest?
The road trip is about 176.1 miles (283.4 km) and usually takes 03h 33m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Desert View Highlands is a useful midpoint, sitting about 88.1 miles from Long Beach and 88 miles from Ridgecrest.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 131.5 miles (211.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:54 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.83 one way or $71.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Long Beach and Sunny near Ridgecrest.
Stop Ideas Near Desert View Highlands
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Desert View Highlands.
Palmdale (Amtrak Thruway), California
Lancaster, California
Littlerock, California
La Crescenta, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Long Beach and Ridgecrest. Straight-line distance: 131.54 mi (211.69 km).
#1 Long Beach
The second most populous city in California, Long Beach is a major center for business, manufacturing, and tourism.
| Population | 454,681 |
| Coordinates | 33.7669600, -118.1892300 |
| Altitude | 9 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ridgecrest
City in California
| Population | 29,135 |
| Coordinates | 35.6224600, -117.6709000 |
| Altitude | 698 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ridgecrest (-117.6709, 35.62246)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 283 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $35.83 | $71.65 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $37.67 | $75.34 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $38.77 | $77.54 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $46.99 | $93.98 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in California · Apr 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.