How far is Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA from Long Beach, CA?
The driving distance from Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA to Long Beach, CA is about 345.8 miles (556.5 km), with a travel time of about 05h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 285.6 miles (459.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 51m 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 05h 55m.
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 Kern County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Long Beach.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Long Beach.
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1
Start on Ocean Avenue
25 m · 10 sec · Ocean Avenue
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2
Continue on Ocean Avenue
1.1 km · 2 min · Ocean Avenue
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3
Turn left onto Cabrillo Highway
4 mi · 5 min · Cabrillo Highway
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4
Keep slight right to continue on CA 68: North Fremont Street, Salinas
16 mi · 21 min
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5
Turn right onto East Blanco Road
1.6 mi · 2 min · East Blanco Road
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6
Continue on South Sanborn Road
1.2 km · 59 sec · South Sanborn Road
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7
Take the exit right
1061 ft · 26 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto El Camino Real
94.6 mi · 1 hr 49 min · El Camino Real
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9
Take the exit slight right toward CA 46 East: Fresno, Bakersfield
968 ft · 30 sec
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10
Turn left
24.5 mi · 29 min
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11
Merge slight left
1.4 mi · 2 min
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12
Turn slight right
149 m · 6 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Antelope Road
5.3 mi · 7 min · Antelope Road
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14
Continue on Paso Robles Highway
32.3 mi · 39 min · Paso Robles Highway
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15
Take the exit slight right
2047 ft · 25 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
56.8 mi · 1 hr 1 min · Westside Freeway
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17
Keep slight right
58.4 mi · 1 hr 7 min
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Golden State Freeway
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19
Keep slight right to continue on I 405 South
1354 ft · 18 sec
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20
Keep slight right
23 mi · 26 min
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21
Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway
18 mi · 21 min · San Diego Freeway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward I 710 South: Long Beach
115 m · 9 sec
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23
Continue on I 710 South: Long Beach
1624 ft · 40 sec
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24
Merge slight left onto Long Beach Freeway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Long Beach Freeway
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25
Continue on Seaside Freeway
2637 ft · 41 sec · Seaside Freeway
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26
Take the exit slight left toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, Aquarium
1821 ft · 38 sec
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27
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi · 2 min · Shoreline Drive
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28
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
923 ft · 30 sec · South Chestnut Place
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29
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
2661 ft · 2 min · West Ocean Boulevard
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30
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
533 ft · 22 sec · East Ocean Boulevard
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Ocean Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Long Beach.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
El Camino Real
Merge slight left onto El Camino Real
94.6 mi · 01h 49m
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 Carmel-by-the-Sea and Mostly Sunny near Long Beach.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carmel-by-the-Sea to Long Beach?
The road trip is about 345.8 miles (556.5 km) and usually takes 05h 55m 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?
Lost Hills is a useful midpoint, sitting about 174 miles from Carmel-by-the-Sea and 171.7 miles from Long Beach.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 285.6 miles (459.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 60.2 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 5:08 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $70.38 one way or $140.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 108.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Carmel-by-the-Sea and Mostly Sunny near Long Beach.
Stop Ideas Near Lost Hills
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 Lost Hills.
Wasco station
Kettleman City, California
Corcoran station
Bakersfield
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Long Beach. Straight-line distance: 285.61 mi (459.65 km).
#1 Carmel-by-the-Sea
City in Monterey County, California
| Population | 3,744 |
| Coordinates | 36.5552400, -121.9232900 |
| Altitude | 68 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: E Ocean Boulevard (-118.189236, 33.766924)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 557 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 56m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $70.38 | $140.76 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $74.01 | $148.01 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $76.16 | $152.33 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $92.32 | $184.63 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.