How far is Lake Forest, CA from Long Beach, CA?

The driving distance from Lake Forest, CA to Long Beach, CA is about 33 miles (53.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 45m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 29.9 miles (48.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 30m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
33.01 mi
00h 45m
Flight
29.91 mi
48.14 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lake Forest.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
29.91 mi
Kilometers
48.14 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
33.01 mi
Kilometers
53.13 km
Drive Time
00h 45m

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 00h 45m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Long Beach
Wed, Apr 22, 7:04 PM PDT
Return by in Lake Forest
Wed, Apr 22, 7:49 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lake Forest
2026-04-22T18:19
Arrive Long Beach
Wed, Apr 22, 7:04 PM PDT
Route Timing
00h 45m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:45 AM to 7:45 PM PDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:00 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Lake Forest
10:00 PM PDT
Flexible departure

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Fountain Valley
CA

A city in Orange County, California.

From Lake Forest
16.5 mi
00h 22m
To Long Beach
16.6 mi
00h 22m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
70°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph W
Destination
70°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Forest and Long Beach.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lake Forest and Long Beach.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    12 m · 4 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left

    42 m · 12 sec

  3. 3

    Turn right

    87 m · 26 sec

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Serrano Road

    65 m · 10 sec · Serrano Road

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Lake Forest Drive

    1.4 km · 1 min · Lake Forest Drive

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Jeronimo Road

    3014 ft · 57 sec · Jeronimo Road

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Bake Parkway

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Bake Parkway

  8. 8

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 5 North, I 405 North

    1599 ft · 23 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Bake Parkway

    1870 ft · 25 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    10.3 mi · 12 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway

    9.7 mi · 11 min · San Diego Freeway

  12. 12

    Keep slight left

    2.7 mi · 3 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 22 West: Long Beach

    2.5 mi · 4 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on East 7th Street

    2.7 mi · 7 min · East 7th Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Rose Avenue

    1321 ft · 51 sec · Rose Avenue

  16. 16

    At the end of the road, turn right onto East 4th Street

    1.1 km · 2 min · East 4th Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Alamitos Avenue

    2029 ft · 1 min · Alamitos Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn right onto East Ocean Boulevard

    1888 ft · 1 min · East Ocean Boulevard

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Ocean Boulevard

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Forest and Long Beach.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
19 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
57.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
San Diego Freeway
12.4 mi · 38%
Bake Parkway
11.7 mi · 35%
East 7th Street
2.72 mi · 8%
CA 22 West
2.54 mi · 8%
Lake Forest Drive
0.89 mi · 3%
East 4th Street
0.66 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Bake Parkway

Keep slight left

10.3 mi · 00h 12m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 45m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+3.1 mi
29.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Fountain Valley
00h 22m from Lake Forest
Leave By
7:00 PM PDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest to Long Beach?

The road trip is about 33 miles (53.1 km) and usually takes 00h 45m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Fountain Valley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16.5 miles from Lake Forest and 16.6 miles from Long Beach.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 29.9 miles (48.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.1 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:00 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.69 one way or $13.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Lake Forest and Mostly Sunny near Long Beach.

Stop Ideas Near Fountain Valley

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Fountain Valley and the surrounding midpoint area.
Newport Beach Municipal Operations
Scenic stop 5 mi away

Newport Beach Municipal Operations

Newport Beach , CA
592 Superior Ave, Newport Beach, CA 92663, United States
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews City government office,Government office,Park
City of Tustin Parks & Recreation
Meeting point 7.9 mi away

City of Tustin Parks & Recreation

Tustin , CA
300 Centennial Way, Tustin, CA 92780, United States
Rating 5.0/5 4 reviews City government office
bamboo house
Nearby stop 6.1 mi away

bamboo house

Garden Grove , CA
12242 Tamerlane Dr, Garden Grove, CA 92840, United States
Rating 4.9/5 20 reviews Hostel

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Fountain Valley.

RAIL

Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center

10 mi away
1000 East Santa Ana Boulevard
RAIL

Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center

12 mi away
2150 East Katella Avenue
RAIL

Irvine Transportation Center

18 mi away
15215 Barranca Parkway
RAIL

Fullerton Transportation Center

18 mi away
120 East Santa Fe Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lake Forest and Long Beach. Straight-line distance: 29.91 mi (48.14 km).

Lake Forest

#1 Lake Forest

A city in Orange County, California.

Population85,329
Coordinates33.6469700, -117.6892200
Altitude148
CountryUnited States
Long Beach

#2 Long Beach

The second most populous city in California, Long Beach is a major center for business, manufacturing, and tourism.

Population454,681
Coordinates33.7669600, -118.1892300
Altitude9
CountryUnited States
Start: (-117.688985, 33.646911)
End: E Ocean Boulevard (-118.189236, 33.766924)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 53 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 06m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 49m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 39m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 33m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 28m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 24m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.16 gal
4.41 L · about $6.69
Round trip
$13.38
2.32 gal · 8.82 L
Estimated CO2
10.3 kg one way
Round trip: 20.6 kg / 45 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $6.69 $13.38
Mid-grade $6.07 $7.04 $14.07
Premium $6.24 $7.24 $14.48
Diesel $7.57 $8.78 $17.56

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

There is no time difference between Lake Forest and Long Beach. The current time is 18:19:20.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.