How far is Los Angeles, CA from Imperial Beach, CA?
The driving distance from Los Angeles, CA to Imperial Beach, CA is about 134 miles (215.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 120.6 miles (194.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 22m 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 41m.
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.
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Los Angeles and Imperial Beach.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles and Imperial Beach.
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1
Start on West 1st Street
21 m · 10 sec · West 1st Street
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2
Turn left onto North Main Street
1465 ft · 35 sec · North Main Street
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3
Turn right onto East Aliso Street
103 m · 13 sec · East Aliso Street
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4
Take the ramp straight toward US 101 South, I 10 East, I 5 South
776 ft · 19 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
28.8 mi · 34 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1241 ft · 16 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
1.3 km · 57 sec
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8
Keep slight left
788 ft · 10 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South
981 ft · 13 sec
-
10
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 km · 54 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.2 km · 52 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Newport Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min
-
14
Turn right onto Newport Avenue
1943 ft · 44 sec · Newport Avenue
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15
Turn left onto Walnut Avenue
2.2 mi · 4 min · Walnut Avenue
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16
Turn left onto Jamboree Road
2595 ft · 38 sec · Jamboree Road
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 South
1479 ft · 21 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
5.5 mi · 6 min · Santa Ana Freeway
-
19
Keep slight left to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 km · 56 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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20
Merge slight right onto San Diego Freeway
77.6 mi · 1 hr 31 min · San Diego Freeway
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21
Continue on John J. Montgomery Freeway
10.8 mi · 12 min · John J. Montgomery Freeway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward CA 75: Palm Avenue
1986 ft · 53 sec
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23
Turn right onto Palm Avenue
1.4 mi · 3 min · Palm Avenue
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Palm Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Los Angeles and Imperial 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
Merge slight right onto San Diego Freeway
77.6 mi · 01h 31m
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.
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny leaving Los Angeles and Partly Sunny near Imperial Beach.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Los Angeles to Imperial Beach?
The road trip is about 134 miles (215.7 km) and usually takes 02h 41m 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 67 miles from Los Angeles and 66.9 miles from Imperial Beach.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 120.6 miles (194.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.4 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 1:08 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.29 one way or $54.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny around Los Angeles and Partly Sunny near Imperial Beach.
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
Laguna Niguel City Hall
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 Los Angeles and Imperial Beach. Straight-line distance: 120.63 mi (194.14 km).
#1 Los Angeles
The second most populous city in the United States and the center of the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
| Population | 3,970,219 |
| Coordinates | 34.0522300, -118.2436800 |
| Altitude | 89 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Imperial Beach
City in California, USA
| Population | 27,325 |
| Coordinates | 32.5839400, -117.1130800 |
| Altitude | 6 |
| Country | United States |
End: Imperial Beach (-117.11308, 32.58394)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 216 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 54m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $27.29 | $54.57 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $28.69 | $57.38 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $29.53 | $59.06 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $35.79 | $71.58 |
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.