How far is Imperial Beach, CA from Long Beach, CA?
The driving distance from Imperial Beach, CA to Long Beach, CA is about 117.8 miles (189.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 102.7 miles (165.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 56m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 58m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
The second most populous city in San Diego County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Imperial Beach and Long Beach.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Imperial Beach and Long Beach.
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1
Start on Palm Avenue
114 m · 16 sec · Palm Avenue
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2
Continue on Palm Avenue
1.3 mi · 3 min · Palm Avenue
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3
Take the exit straight toward I 5: San Diego
117 m · 9 sec
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4
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 North: San Diego
2667 ft · 1 min
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5
Merge slight left onto John J. Montgomery Freeway
10.4 mi · 11 min · John J. Montgomery Freeway
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6
Continue on San Diego Freeway
14.9 mi · 17 min · San Diego Freeway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway
36.3 mi · 43 min · San Diego Freeway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway
18.1 mi · 21 min · San Diego Freeway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
14.1 mi · 16 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
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10
Continue on Corona Del Mar Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · Corona Del Mar Freeway
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11
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
9.6 mi · 11 min · San Diego Freeway
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12
Keep slight left
2.7 mi · 3 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward CA 22 West: Long Beach
2.5 mi · 4 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on East 7th Street
2.7 mi · 7 min · East 7th Street
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15
Turn left onto Rose Avenue
1321 ft · 51 sec · Rose Avenue
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16
At the end of the road, turn right onto East 4th Street
1.1 km · 2 min · East 4th Street
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17
Turn left onto Alamitos Avenue
2029 ft · 1 min · Alamitos Avenue
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18
Turn right onto East Ocean Boulevard
1888 ft · 1 min · East Ocean Boulevard
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Ocean Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Imperial Beach and Long Beach.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
San Diego Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway
36.3 mi · 00h 43m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Partly Sunny leaving Imperial Beach 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 Imperial Beach to Long Beach?
The road trip is about 117.8 miles (189.6 km) and usually takes 01h 58m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Oceanside is a useful midpoint, sitting about 59.5 miles from Imperial Beach and 58.3 miles from Long Beach.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 102.7 miles (165.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:34 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.00 one way or $48.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Imperial Beach and Mostly Sunny near Long Beach.
Stop Ideas Near Oceanside
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort
San Clemente Business Licenses
City of San Clemente City Hall
Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Oceanside.
Oceanside Transit Center
Carlsbad Village station
Carlsbad Poinsettia, CA
Encinitas, CA
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Imperial Beach and Long Beach. Straight-line distance: 102.73 mi (165.33 km).
#1 Imperial Beach
City in California, USA
| Population | 27,325 |
| Coordinates | 32.5839400, -117.1130800 |
| Altitude | 6 |
| 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: 190 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $24.00 | $48.00 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $25.23 | $50.47 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $25.97 | $51.94 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $31.48 | $62.96 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.