How far is San Clemente, CA from Long Beach, CA?

The driving distance from San Clemente, CA to Long Beach, CA is about 47.3 miles (76.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 54m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 40.7 miles (65.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 49m 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
47.37 mi
00h 54m
Flight
40.69 mi
65.48 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from San Clemente.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
40.69 mi
Kilometers
65.48 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
47.37 mi
Kilometers
76.23 km
Drive Time
00h 54m

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 54m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Long Beach
Tue, May 12, 5:21 PM PDT
Return by in San Clemente
Tue, May 12, 6:16 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave San Clemente
2026-05-12T16:27
Arrive Long Beach
Tue, May 12, 5:21 PM PDT
Route Timing
00h 54m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:55 AM to 10:55 AM PDT

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

Leave by
4:40 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in San Clemente
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
San Joaquin Hills
CA

Census designated place

From San Clemente
23.7 mi
00h 27m
To Long Beach
23.7 mi
00h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
San Clemente Weather
CA
Live fallback forecast
68°F
Tuesday
Using San Juan Capistrano as the closest live forecast in the Orange County weather hub.

Partly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph S
Destination
64°F
Tuesday

Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South El Camino Real

    116 m · 21 sec · South El Camino Real

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Avenida Presidio

    159 m · 16 sec · Avenida Presidio

  3. 3

    Take the ramp left toward I 5 North: Los Angeles

    1139 ft · 30 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway

    9.7 mi · 11 min · San Diego Freeway

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

    14.1 mi · 16 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

  6. 6

    Continue on Corona Del Mar Freeway

    4 mi · 5 min · Corona Del Mar Freeway

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway

    9.6 mi · 11 min · San Diego Freeway

  8. 8

    Keep slight left

    2.7 mi · 3 min

  9. 9

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

    2.5 mi · 4 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on East 7th Street

    2.7 mi · 7 min · East 7th Street

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Rose Avenue

    1321 ft · 51 sec · Rose Avenue

  12. 12

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

    1.1 km · 2 min · East 4th Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Alamitos Avenue

    2029 ft · 1 min · Alamitos Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn right onto East Ocean Boulevard

    1888 ft · 1 min · East Ocean Boulevard

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Ocean Boulevard

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
15 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
31.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
San Diego Freeway
22 mi · 46%
San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
14.1 mi · 30%
Corona Del Mar Freeway
4.02 mi · 8%
East 7th Street
2.72 mi · 6%
CA 22 West
2.54 mi · 5%
East 4th Street
0.66 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

Keep slight right to continue on San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

14.1 mi · 00h 16m

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 54m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+6.6 mi
40.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
San Joaquin Hills
00h 27m from San Clemente
Leave By
4:40 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving San Clemente and Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny near Long Beach.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 47.3 miles (76.2 km) and usually takes 00h 54m 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 Joaquin Hills is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.7 miles from San Clemente and 23.7 miles from Long Beach.

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

The direct path is about 40.7 miles (65.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.6 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 4:40 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.63 one way or $19.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around San Clemente and Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny near Long Beach.

Stop Ideas Near San Joaquin Hills

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 San Joaquin Hills and the surrounding midpoint area.
Miraval Life in Balance Spa at Monarch Beach Resort
Stay option 13.6 mi away

Miraval Life in Balance Spa at Monarch Beach Resort

Dana Point , CA
1 Monarch Beach Resort N a, Dana Point, CA 92629, United States
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Spa,Day spa,Massage spa,Massage therapist,Resort hotel,Spa and health club
Newport Beach Municipal Operations
Scenic stop 4.1 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 Lake Forest
Practical stop 10.7 mi away

City of Lake Forest

San Joaquin Hills
Rating 4.8/5 12 reviews Government office,Service establishment
City of Tustin Parks & Recreation
Meeting point 7.5 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

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to San Joaquin Hills.

Transit stop coverage is not ready for this midpoint yet.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between San Clemente and Long Beach. Straight-line distance: 40.69 mi (65.48 km).

San Clemente

#1 San Clemente

The most populous city in Orange County, California.

Population64,551
Coordinates33.4269700, -117.6119900
Altitude71
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: South El Camino Real (-117.612039, 33.426937)
End: E Ocean Boulevard (-118.189236, 33.766924)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 76 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 34m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 11m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 56m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 47m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 40m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 35m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.67 gal
6.33 L · about $9.63
Round trip
$19.27
3.34 gal · 12.66 L
Estimated CO2
14.8 kg one way
Round trip: 29.7 kg / 65 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $9.63 $19.27
Mid-grade $6.07 $10.13 $20.26
Premium $6.24 $10.43 $20.85
Diesel $7.57 $12.64 $25.27

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 · May 12, 2026

There is no time difference between San Clemente and Long Beach. The current time is 16:27:03.

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.