How far is Thermal, CA from Long Beach, CA?
The driving distance from Thermal, CA to Long Beach, CA is about 139.6 miles (224.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 118.1 miles (190.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 24m 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 42m.
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 fifth most populous city in Riverside County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Thermal and Long Beach.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thermal and Long Beach.
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1
Start on Grapefruit Boulevard
1609 ft · 36 sec · Grapefruit Boulevard
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2
Turn left onto Palm Street
653 ft · 36 sec · Palm Street
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3
Turn left onto Airport Boulevard
1.1 km · 1 min · Airport Boulevard
-
4
Take the ramp right toward CA 86 N: CA 86 N
896 ft · 25 sec
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5
Merge slight left
6.6 mi · 8 min
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6
Merge slight right onto Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
32.6 mi · 35 min · Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
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7
Continue on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
17.9 mi · 19 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
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8
Take the exit slight left toward CA 60 West: Riverside
1022 ft · 13 sec
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9
Continue on Moreno Valley Freeway
2677 ft · 33 sec · Moreno Valley Freeway
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10
Continue on Moreno Valley Expressway
2 mi · 2 min · Moreno Valley Expressway
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11
Continue on Moreno Valley Freeway
16 mi · 20 min · Moreno Valley Freeway
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12
Merge slight left onto Escondido Freeway
3.9 mi · 5 min · Escondido Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward CA 91 West: Riverside, Beach Cities
1.5 mi · 3 min
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14
Merge slight left onto Riverside Freeway
13.4 mi · 16 min · Riverside Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Main Street
1526 ft · 20 sec
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16
Continue straight
16.7 mi · 19 min
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17
Keep slight left to continue on Costa Mesa Freeway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Costa Mesa Freeway
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward CA 22 West: Garden Grove Freeway, Long Beach
2569 ft · 40 sec
-
19
Merge slight left onto Garden Grove Freeway
12.7 mi · 15 min · Garden Grove Freeway
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20
Continue on San Diego Freeway
1.7 mi · 2 min · San Diego Freeway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward CA 22 West: Long Beach
2.5 mi · 4 min
-
22
Keep slight left to continue on East 7th Street
2.7 mi · 7 min · East 7th Street
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23
Turn left onto Rose Avenue
1321 ft · 51 sec · Rose Avenue
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24
At the end of the road, turn right onto East 4th Street
1.1 km · 2 min · East 4th Street
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25
Turn left onto Alamitos Avenue
2029 ft · 1 min · Alamitos Avenue
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26
Turn right onto East Ocean Boulevard
1888 ft · 1 min · East Ocean Boulevard
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Ocean Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Thermal 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.
Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
Merge slight right onto Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
32.6 mi · 00h 35m
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.
Sunny leaving Thermal and Sunny near Long Beach.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Thermal to Long Beach?
The road trip is about 139.6 miles (224.7 km) and usually takes 02h 42m 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?
Moreno Valley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 69.7 miles from Thermal and 70 miles from Long Beach.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 118.1 miles (190.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:06 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.87 one way or $61.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Thermal and Sunny near Long Beach.
Stop Ideas Near Moreno Valley
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Khyra Beaucrest Ranch
Bear Springs Hotel
San Bernardino County Land Use
City of Perris
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Moreno Valley.
Moreno Valley, California
Riverside–Downtown
Perris, California
San Bernardino Santa Fe Depot
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Thermal and Long Beach. Straight-line distance: 118.14 mi (190.13 km).
#1 Thermal
Situated within Riverside County's Coachella Valley near the Salton Sea, this desert community lies at an elevation of approximately 118 feet below sea level.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 33.6403000, -116.1394500 |
| Altitude | -36 |
| 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 (-118.189233, 33.766923)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 225 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 59m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 44m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $30.87 | $61.73 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $32.04 | $64.08 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $32.98 | $65.95 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $41.48 | $82.95 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026