How far is Santa Monica, CA from Long Beach, CA?
The driving distance from Santa Monica, CA to Long Beach, CA is about 31.1 miles (50.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 24.6 miles (39.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 14m 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 37m.
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 Santa Monica and Long Beach.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Monica and Long Beach.
-
1
Start on Lincoln Boulevard
2464 ft · 1 min · Lincoln Boulevard
-
2
Turn left onto Olympic Boulevard
112 m · 9 sec · Olympic Boulevard
-
3
Take the ramp straight toward I 10 East: Santa Monica Freeway, Los Angeles
1351 ft · 35 sec
-
4
Merge slight left onto Santa Monica Freeway
2.8 mi · 3 min · Santa Monica Freeway
-
5
Take the exit slight right toward I 405 South: Long Beach
1411 ft · 34 sec
-
6
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
3.6 mi · 4 min · San Diego Freeway
-
7
Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway
18 mi · 21 min · San Diego Freeway
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 710 South: Long Beach
115 m · 9 sec
-
9
Continue on I 710 South: Long Beach
1624 ft · 40 sec
-
10
Merge slight left onto Long Beach Freeway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Long Beach Freeway
-
11
Continue on Seaside Freeway
2637 ft · 41 sec · Seaside Freeway
-
12
Take the exit slight left toward Downtown Long Beach, Convention Center, Aquarium
1821 ft · 38 sec
-
13
Continue on Shoreline Drive
1.3 mi · 2 min · Shoreline Drive
-
14
Turn left onto South Chestnut Place
923 ft · 30 sec · South Chestnut Place
-
15
Turn right onto West Ocean Boulevard
2661 ft · 2 min · West Ocean Boulevard
-
16
Continue on East Ocean Boulevard
533 ft · 22 sec · East Ocean Boulevard
-
17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Ocean Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Monica and Long Beach.
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
Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway
18 mi · 00h 21m
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 Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica to Long Beach?
The road trip is about 31.1 miles (50.1 km) and usually takes 00h 37m 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 15.5 miles from Santa Monica and 15.6 miles from Long Beach.
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 6.5 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 7:16 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.35 one way or $12.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny around Santa Monica and Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny near Long Beach.
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 Santa Monica and Long Beach. Straight-line distance: 24.58 mi (39.56 km).
#1 Santa Monica
A city in Los Angeles County, California.
| Population | 90,024 |
| Coordinates | 34.0194500, -118.4911900 |
| Altitude | 32 |
| 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: 50 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 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 | $6.35 | $12.69 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $6.67 | $13.35 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $6.87 | $13.73 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $8.32 | $16.65 |
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.