How far is Santa Barbara, CA from Long Beach, CA?
The driving distance from Santa Barbara, CA to Long Beach, CA is about 115.8 miles (186.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 97.4 miles (156.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 54m 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 01h 57m.
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.
Community in California, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Santa Barbara and Long Beach.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Barbara and Long Beach.
-
1
Start on Anacapa Street
1573 ft · 1 min · Anacapa Street
-
2
Turn left onto East Haley Street
1033 ft · 41 sec · East Haley Street
-
3
Turn right onto Garden Street
1104 ft · 43 sec · Garden Street
-
4
Take the ramp left toward US 101 South
1014 ft · 25 sec
-
5
Merge slight left onto El Camino Real
12.2 mi · 14 min · El Camino Real
-
6
Continue on Ventura Freeway
65.2 mi · 1 hr 15 min · Ventura Freeway
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 405 North, I 405 South: Sacramento, Santa Monica
758 ft · 19 sec
-
8
Keep slight right to continue on I 405 South: San Diego Freeway, Santa Monica
1584 ft · 39 sec
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on I 405 South: San Diego Freeway
553 ft · 14 sec
-
10
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
13.3 mi · 15 min · San Diego Freeway
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway
18 mi · 21 min · San Diego Freeway
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward I 710 South: Long Beach
115 m · 9 sec
-
13
Continue on I 710 South: Long Beach
1624 ft · 40 sec
-
14
Merge slight left onto Long Beach Freeway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Long Beach Freeway
-
15
Continue on Seaside Freeway
2637 ft · 41 sec · Seaside Freeway
-
16
Take the exit slight left toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, Aquarium
1821 ft · 38 sec
-
17
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi · 2 min · Shoreline Drive
-
18
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
923 ft · 30 sec · South Chestnut Place
-
19
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
2661 ft · 2 min · West Ocean Boulevard
-
20
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
533 ft · 22 sec · East Ocean Boulevard
-
21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Ocean Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Barbara and Long 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.
Ventura Freeway
Continue on Ventura Freeway
65.2 mi · 01h 15m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Santa Barbara and 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 Santa Barbara to Long Beach?
The road trip is about 115.8 miles (186.4 km) and usually takes 01h 57m 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?
Westlake Village is a useful midpoint, sitting about 57.8 miles from Santa Barbara and 58 miles from Long Beach.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 97.4 miles (156.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.4 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 2:36 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.60 one way or $47.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 36.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Santa Barbara and Mostly Sunny near Long Beach.
Stop Ideas Near Westlake Village
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Bella Capri Inn & Suites
Homewood Suites by Hilton Agoura Hills
City of Thousand Oaks
Westlake Village Planning
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Westlake Village.
Moorpark
Simi Valley
Camarillo station
Chatsworth station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Santa Barbara and Long Beach. Straight-line distance: 97.44 mi (156.82 km).
#1 Santa Barbara
The most populous city in Santa Barbara County, California.
| Population | 90,254 |
| Coordinates | 34.4208300, -119.6981900 |
| Altitude | 15 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: E Ocean Boulevard (-118.189236, 33.766924)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 186 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $23.60 | $47.19 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $24.81 | $49.62 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $25.53 | $51.07 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $30.95 | $61.90 |
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 · Apr 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.