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

The driving distance from San Juan Capistrano, CA to Long Beach, CA is about 40.5 miles (65.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 49m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 35.4 miles (57 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 38m 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
40.52 mi
00h 49m
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 San Juan Capistrano.

Flight Distance

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

Driving Distance

Road route
40.52 mi
Kilometers
65.21 km
Drive Time
00h 49m

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 49m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Long Beach
Wed, May 13, 1:20 PM PDT
Return by in San Juan Capistrano
Wed, May 13, 2:09 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave San Juan Capistrano
2026-05-13T12:31
Arrive Long Beach
Wed, May 13, 1:20 PM PDT
Route Timing
00h 49m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:49 AM to 10:49 AM PDT

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

Leave by
4:52 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in San Juan Capistrano
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 San Juan Capistrano
20.1 mi
00h 24m
To Long Beach
20.4 mi
00h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
68°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SW
Destination
63°F
Wednesday

Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny

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

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Camino Capistrano

    1.3 mi · 3 min · Camino Capistrano

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Junipero Serra Road

    1461 ft · 35 sec · Junipero Serra Road

  3. 3

    Take the ramp left toward I 5 North: Los Angeles

    1456 ft · 38 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway

    1 mi · 1 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 Juan Capistrano and Long Beach.

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
15 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
37 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
14.1 mi · 35%
San Diego Freeway
13.3 mi · 33%
Corona Del Mar Freeway
4.02 mi · 10%
East 7th Street
2.72 mi · 7%
CA 22 West
2.54 mi · 6%
Camino Capistrano
1.34 mi · 3%
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 49m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5.1 mi
35.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Costa Mesa
00h 24m from San Juan Capistrano
Leave By
4:52 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving San Juan Capistrano and Patchy Fog then Mostly 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 Juan Capistrano to Long Beach?

The road trip is about 40.5 miles (65.2 km) and usually takes 00h 49m 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 San Juan Capistrano and 20.4 miles from Long Beach.

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 5.1 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 4:52 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.25 one way or $16.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

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 7.4 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 San Juan Capistrano and Long Beach. Straight-line distance: 35.41 mi (56.99 km).

San Juan Capistrano

#1 San Juan Capistrano

City in Orange County, California, United States

Population35,810
Coordinates33.5016900, -117.6625500
Altitude37
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: Camino Capistrano (-117.662734, 33.501665)
End: E Ocean Boulevard (-118.189236, 33.766924)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 65 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 21m
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
1.43 gal
5.41 L · about $8.25
Round trip
$16.50
2.86 gal · 10.82 L
Estimated CO2
12.7 kg one way
Round trip: 25.4 kg / 56 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $8.25 $16.50
Mid-grade $6.07 $8.67 $17.35
Premium $6.24 $8.93 $17.85
Diesel $7.57 $10.82 $21.64

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 San Juan Capistrano and Long Beach. The current time is 12:31:11.

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.