How far is Long Beach, CA from San Juan Capistrano, CA?

The driving distance from Long Beach, CA to San Juan Capistrano, CA is about 40.2 miles (64.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 55m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 35.4 miles (57 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 51m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
40.23 mi
00h 55m
Flight
35.41 mi
56.99 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Long Beach.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
35.41 mi
Kilometers
56.99 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
40.23 mi
Kilometers
64.74 km
Drive Time
00h 55m

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 55m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in San Juan Capistrano
Wed, May 13, 2:35 PM PDT
Return by in Long Beach
Wed, May 13, 3:31 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Long Beach
2026-05-13T13:40
Arrive San Juan Capistrano
Wed, May 13, 2:35 PM PDT
Route Timing
00h 55m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:56 AM to 10:56 AM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:38 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Long Beach
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Costa Mesa
CA

The most populous city in Orange County, California.

From Long Beach
20.1 mi
00h 27m
To San Juan Capistrano
20.1 mi
00h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
63°F
Wednesday

Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SSW
Destination
68°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Long Beach and San Juan Capistrano.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Long Beach and San Juan Capistrano.

  1. 1

    Start on East Ocean Boulevard

    9 m · 3 sec · East Ocean Boulevard

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Long Beach Boulevard

    129 m · 19 sec · Long Beach Boulevard

  3. 3

    Turn right onto East 1st Street

    2093 ft · 1 min · East 1st Street

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Alamitos Avenue

    979 ft · 38 sec · Alamitos Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn right onto East 3rd Street

    1.5 km · 3 min · East 3rd Street

  6. 6

    Turn sharp left onto Junipero Avenue

    2637 ft · 2 min · Junipero Avenue

  7. 7

    Turn right onto East 7th Street

    3.3 mi · 8 min · East 7th Street

  8. 8

    Continue on Garden Grove Freeway

    1.2 km · 1 min · Garden Grove Freeway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight left toward I 405 South, CA 22 East

    1.1 km · 47 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway

    2 mi · 2 min · San Diego Freeway

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway

    893 ft · 12 sec · San Diego Freeway

  12. 12

    Keep slight left

    10.3 mi · 12 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on Corona Del Mar Freeway

    4 mi · 5 min · Corona Del Mar Freeway

  14. 14

    Continue on San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

    10.3 mi · 12 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward La Paz Road, Moulton Parkway

    133 m · 6 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on CA 73 South: Moulton Parkway

    2519 ft · 33 sec

  17. 17

    Keep slight left to continue on CA 73 South

    3218 ft · 42 sec

  18. 18

    Merge slight left onto San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

    2.5 mi · 3 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

  19. 19

    Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway

    2.6 mi · 3 min · San Diego Freeway

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 74: Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano

    1042 ft · 33 sec

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Ortega Highway

    135 m · 19 sec · Ortega Highway

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Old Mission Road

    875 ft · 41 sec · Old Mission Road

  23. 23

    Turn left onto Camino Capistrano

    24 m · 3 sec · Camino Capistrano

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Camino Capistrano

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Long Beach and San Juan Capistrano.

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
24 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
59.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
San Diego Freeway
15 mi · 37%
San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
12.8 mi · 32%
Corona Del Mar Freeway
4 mi · 10%
East 7th Street
3.25 mi · 8%
CA 73 South
1.09 mi · 3%
East 3rd Street
0.96 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

Continue on San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

10.3 mi · 00h 12m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 55m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.8 mi
35.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Costa Mesa
00h 27m from Long Beach
Leave By
4:38 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny leaving Long Beach and Mostly Sunny near San Juan Capistrano.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Long Beach to San Juan Capistrano?

The road trip is about 40.2 miles (64.7 km) and usually takes 00h 55m 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?

Costa Mesa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.1 miles from Long Beach and 20.1 miles from San Juan Capistrano.

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

The direct path is about 35.4 miles (57 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.8 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 4:38 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.19 one way or $16.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny around Long Beach and Mostly Sunny near San Juan Capistrano.

Stop Ideas Near Costa Mesa

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 Costa Mesa and the surrounding midpoint area.
Newport Beach Municipal Operations
Scenic stop 4 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 6 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 7.3 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 Costa Mesa.

RAIL

Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center

14 mi away
1000 East Santa Ana Boulevard
RAIL

Irvine Transportation Center

15 mi away
15215 Barranca Parkway
RAIL

Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center

18 mi away
2150 East Katella Avenue
RAIL

Fullerton Transportation Center

25 mi away
120 East Santa Fe Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Long Beach and San Juan Capistrano. Straight-line distance: 35.41 mi (56.99 km).

Long Beach

#1 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
San Juan Capistrano

#2 San Juan Capistrano

City in Orange County, California, United States

Population35,810
Coordinates33.5016900, -117.6625500
Altitude37
CountryUnited States
Start: Long Beach (-118.18923, 33.76696)
End: San Juan Capistrano (-117.66255, 33.50169)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 65 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 20m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 00m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 48m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 40m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 34m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 30m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.42 gal
5.37 L · about $8.19
Round trip
$16.38
2.84 gal · 10.74 L
Estimated CO2
12.6 kg one way
Round trip: 25.2 kg / 56 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $8.19 $16.38
Mid-grade $6.07 $8.61 $17.23
Premium $6.24 $8.87 $17.73
Diesel $7.57 $10.75 $21.49

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 · May 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Long Beach and San Juan Capistrano. The current time is 13:40:06.

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.