How far is Long Beach, CA from Santa Monica, CA?
The driving distance from Long Beach, CA to Santa Monica, CA is about 30.8 miles (49.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 24.6 miles (39.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 21m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
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.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 40m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Los Angeles County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Long Beach and Santa Monica.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Long Beach and Santa Monica.
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1
Start on East Ocean Boulevard
1.2 km · 2 min · East Ocean Boulevard
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2
Turn right onto North Golden Avenue
126 m · 7 sec · North Golden Avenue
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3
Keep slight left to continue on I 710 North
761 ft · 19 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Shoreline Drive
2800 ft · 48 sec · Shoreline Drive
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5
Keep slight left to continue on I 710 North
1984 ft · 32 sec
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6
Merge slight right onto Seaside Freeway
2683 ft · 42 sec · Seaside Freeway
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7
Continue on Long Beach Freeway
2.3 mi · 3 min · Long Beach Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 405 North, I 405 South: Santa Monica, San Diego
697 ft · 11 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 405 North, I 710: Long Beach Freeway North, Santa Monica
855 ft · 21 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 405 North: Santa Monica
1348 ft · 33 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 405 North: Santa Monica
1500 ft · 37 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 405 North
1656 ft · 41 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
20.8 mi · 24 min · San Diego Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 10: Santa Monica, Los Angeles
861 ft · 21 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 10 West: Santa Monica
1.1 km · 1 min
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16
Merge slight left onto Santa Monica Freeway
2.6 mi · 3 min · Santa Monica Freeway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward CA 1 South: Lincoln Boulevard
1062 ft · 26 sec
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18
Turn straight onto Olympic Boulevard
146 m · 15 sec · Olympic Boulevard
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19
Turn right onto Lincoln Boulevard
2126 ft · 1 min · Lincoln Boulevard
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Lincoln Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Long Beach and Santa Monica.
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.
San Diego Freeway
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
20.8 mi · 00h 24m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny leaving Long Beach and Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny near Santa Monica.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Long Beach to Santa Monica?
The road trip is about 30.8 miles (49.6 km) and usually takes 00h 40m 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?
Lawndale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.4 miles from Long Beach and 15.4 miles from Santa Monica.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 24.6 miles (39.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.2 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:08 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.29 one way or $12.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny around Long Beach and Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny near Santa Monica.
Stop Ideas Near Lawndale
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Bell Gardens Inn Los Angeles
City of Beverly Hills Parking Lot
City of Los Angeles
Palos Verdes Estates City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lawndale.
El Segundo, CA
Torrance, CA
Westchester, CA
San Pedro (Catalina Terminal), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Long Beach and Santa Monica. Straight-line distance: 24.58 mi (39.56 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 Santa Monica
A city in Los Angeles County, California.
| Population | 90,024 |
| Coordinates | 34.0194500, -118.4911900 |
| Altitude | 32 |
| Country | United States |
End: Santa Monica (-118.49119, 34.01945)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 50 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $6.29 | $12.58 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $6.61 | $13.22 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $6.80 | $13.61 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $8.25 | $16.50 |
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 · Jun 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.