How far is Long Beach, CA from La Mesa, CA?
The driving distance from Long Beach, CA to La Mesa, CA is about 109 miles (175.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 96.4 miles (155.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 32m 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 02h 16m.
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 most populous city in Orange 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 Long Beach and La Mesa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Long Beach and La Mesa.
-
1
Start on East Ocean Boulevard
9 m · 3 sec · East Ocean Boulevard
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2
Turn right onto Long Beach Boulevard
129 m · 19 sec · Long Beach Boulevard
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3
Turn right onto East 1st Street
2093 ft · 1 min · East 1st Street
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4
At the end of the road, turn left onto Alamitos Avenue
979 ft · 38 sec · Alamitos Avenue
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5
Turn right onto East 3rd Street
1.5 km · 3 min · East 3rd Street
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6
Turn sharp left onto Junipero Avenue
2637 ft · 2 min · Junipero Avenue
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7
Turn right onto East 7th Street
3.3 mi · 8 min · East 7th Street
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8
Continue on Garden Grove Freeway
1.2 km · 1 min · Garden Grove Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight left toward I 405 South, CA 22 East
1.1 km · 47 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
2 mi · 2 min · San Diego Freeway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway
893 ft · 12 sec · San Diego Freeway
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12
Keep slight left
10.3 mi · 12 min
-
13
Keep slight right to continue on Corona Del Mar Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · Corona Del Mar Freeway
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14
Continue on San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
10.3 mi · 12 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
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15
Take the exit slight right toward La Paz Road, Moulton Parkway
133 m · 6 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on CA 73 South: Moulton Parkway
2519 ft · 33 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on CA 73 South
3218 ft · 42 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
2.5 mi · 3 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
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19
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
53.7 mi · 1 hr 3 min · San Diego Freeway
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20
Take the exit slight left
1.3 km · 55 sec
-
21
Continue on Jacob Dekema Freeway
10 mi · 11 min · Jacob Dekema Freeway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward I 8: Beaches, El Centro
1014 ft · 25 sec
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23
Keep slight left to continue on I 8 East: El Centro
1 km · 1 min
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24
Merge slight left onto Mission Valley Freeway
6 mi · 7 min · Mission Valley Freeway
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25
Take the exit slight right toward Spring Street, Downtown
2036 ft · 28 sec
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26
Turn straight onto Spring Street
554 ft · 11 sec · Spring Street
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27
Turn slight right
56 m · 7 sec
-
28
Turn slight right onto University Avenue
74 m · 7 sec · University Avenue
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29
Turn right
11 m · 3 sec
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Long Beach and La Mesa.
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
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
53.7 mi · 01h 03m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Long Beach and Mostly Sunny near La Mesa.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Long Beach to La Mesa?
The road trip is about 109 miles (175.4 km) and usually takes 02h 16m 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?
San Clemente is a useful midpoint, sitting about 54.5 miles from Long Beach and 54.5 miles from La Mesa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 96.4 miles (155.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:58 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.21 one way or $44.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 34.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Long Beach and Mostly Sunny near La Mesa.
Stop Ideas Near San Clemente
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Blue Lantern Inn, A Four Sisters Inn
The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
CITY HALL, City of San Juan Capistrano
Doheny State Beach Campground
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to San Clemente.
San Clemente Pier station
San Juan Capistrano
Irvine Transportation Center
Oceanside Transit Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Long Beach and La Mesa. Straight-line distance: 96.46 mi (155.23 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 La Mesa
The most populous city in San Diego County, California.
| Population | 59,724 |
| Coordinates | 32.7678300, -117.0230800 |
| Altitude | 161 |
| Country | United States |
End: La Mesa (-117.02308, 32.76783)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 175 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $22.21 | $44.42 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $23.35 | $46.71 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $24.04 | $48.07 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $29.13 | $58.27 |
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.