You're standing at the Pike in Long Beach, looking at the Queen Mary, and you realize you have dinner reservations in Downtown LA in an hour. You pull out your phone. You're wondering exactly how far is Los Angeles from Long Beach CA, but "far" is a loaded word in Southern California.
Mileage is easy. Math doesn't lie. But in LA, we don't measure distance in miles. We measure it in minutes, podcasts, and how much patience you have left for the guy in the Prius cutting you off.
Technically, the distance is about 20 to 25 miles depending on your starting point. If you’re going from Long Beach City Hall to Grand Central Market in DTLA, it’s roughly 24 miles.
On a Sunday morning at 6:00 AM? You’ll breeze through it in 25 minutes. On a Tuesday at 5:15 PM? Pack a snack. You’re looking at 75 to 90 minutes of your life disappearing into the red brake lights of the Long Beach Freeway.
The Three Main Routes Everyone Takes
Most people default to the 710 Freeway. It’s the straight shot. It was built specifically to connect the Port of Long Beach to the rest of the world. Because of that, it is essentially a conveyor belt for semi-trucks. You are sandwiched between massive shipping containers. It’s loud, the pavement is a bit beat up from the weight of the cargo, and it’s the most direct 22-mile stretch you’ll find.
Then there’s the 110 Freeway. This is the "scenic" route, if you consider the Harbor Freeway scenic. It’s about 25 miles. The 110 is famous for its ExpressLanes. If you have a transponder and don’t mind paying a few bucks, you can bypass the absolute worst of the congestion near the 105 interchange.
Honestly, the 110 feels tighter. The lanes are narrower. It feels like a legacy freeway because, well, parts of it are.
Don't forget the 405 to the 110 transition. This is the "I live in East Long Beach" route. You hop on the 405 North, realize you hate it, and cut over to the 110. It adds a mile or two, making the trip closer to 27 miles.
Google Maps might tell you it's faster, but the 405 is a fickle beast. It’s the busiest freeway in the country for a reason.
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Why the 710 is a Different Kind of Drive
If you choose the 710, you aren't just driving; you're navigating an industrial corridor. The distance from Long Beach to LA via the 710 takes you through cities like Compton, Lynwood, and Bell Gardens.
It’s flat. It’s gray. It’s efficient.
But here is the thing about the 710: when a truck breaks down near the 91 interchange, the entire system collapses. Because there aren't many "easy" exits that don't dump you into heavy industrial surface streets, you're often stuck.
I’ve seen that 20-mile drive turn into a two-hour ordeal because of a single tipped container.
Taking the Blue Line: Distance by Rail
Maybe you don't want to drive. Good choice.
The A Line (formerly the Blue Line) is the light rail that connects downtown Long Beach to 7th Street/Metro Center in Los Angeles.
The track is about 22 miles long.
The Metro A Line is the workhorse of the LA Metro system. It’s one of the longest light rail lines in the US. It takes about 50 to 60 minutes to go end-to-end.
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Is it faster than driving? During rush hour, absolutely. During the "off-hours," the train is actually slower than a car. But you get to read a book or stare out the window at the Watts Towers instead of gripping your steering wheel in a silent rage.
The "Secret" Surface Street Strategy
When the freeways are "deep red" on the map, some locals try the surface street gamble.
Atlantic Boulevard runs almost the entire way.
It’s a fascinating drive. You see the "real" LA and Long Beach—the taco stands, the old signage, the local tire shops. But is it faster? Rarely. You’re dealing with traffic lights every block.
It’s about 22 miles of stop-and-go. Use this only if the freeways are literally closed due to an accident. Otherwise, you're just adding stress to your brakes.
Neighborhood to Neighborhood Variations
- Belmont Shore to Silver Lake: This is the long one. You’re looking at 32 miles. You have to cross the 10 or the 101. This can easily take 2 hours in the afternoon.
- Downtown Long Beach to USC: This is a straight shot up the 110. About 21 miles. Very manageable for students or fans heading to a game.
- Long Beach Airport (LGB) to LAX: People ask this a lot. It’s about 21 miles via the 405. Don't do this during morning rush hour if you have a flight to catch.
Why Time of Day Destroys the "How Far" Question
In most parts of the world, 20 miles is 20 minutes. Not here.
The morning commute (6:30 AM – 10:00 AM) flows toward Los Angeles. If you’re leaving Long Beach, expect the 710 and 110 to be clogged from the 91 freeway all the way into the city.
The afternoon commute (3:00 PM – 7:30 PM) is the reverse. Everyone is fleeing LA for the coast. The 110 South becomes a parking lot starting at the 10 freeway.
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If you have to make the trip, 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM is your "golden window." That’s when the 20-mile distance actually feels like 20 miles.
Fact-Checking the "Los Angeles" Destination
People say "Los Angeles" but often mean a specific spot. LA is huge.
If you are going to the Staples Center (Crypto.com Arena), you are looking at 23 miles.
If you are going to Hollywood, add another 6 to 8 miles of brutal city traffic. Suddenly, that 20-mile trip is a 30-mile trek that takes twice as long.
Long Beach itself is no small town. It's the 7th largest city in California. It has its own identity.
Sometimes people forget that Long Beach is in Los Angeles County, but it’s its own ecosystem. The Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach sit side-by-side, creating a massive industrial footprint that dictates how the roads in this 20-mile gap are maintained and used.
Actionable Advice for the Long Beach to LA Commute
If you're planning this trip, don't just wing it.
- Check the 110 ExpressLanes: If you have a FasTrak transponder, the 110 is almost always the superior choice. The tolls fluctuate based on traffic density, but saving 40 minutes for $8 is usually a winning trade.
- Use the A Line for Events: Going to a Dodgers game or a concert at LA Live? Take the train. Parking in DTLA is $40 or more, and the stress of the 110 after a game is soul-crushing.
- Waze is Your Religion: Do not trust your gut. A 20-mile drive in LA can change in three minutes because of a stalled car on the 710. Let the algorithm find the side streets for you.
- The "Bridge" Factor: If you are coming from the Port side of Long Beach, the Gerald Desmond Bridge replacement (the Long Beach International Gateway) has made exiting the city much smoother, but it still feeds into the same freeway bottlenecks.
The bottom line? How far is Los Angeles from Long Beach CA? It's exactly 24.2 miles from city center to city center.
But it’s also a journey through the heart of the American shipping industry, a test of your car's cooling system, and a perfect opportunity to catch up on a two-hour podcast.
Plan for 30 minutes, expect 60, and don't be surprised if it takes 90. That’s just life in the Southland.
Next Steps:
Before you head out, download the LA Metro Tap app if you plan on taking the train, or ensure your FasTrak account is funded if you're hitting the 110. If you’re driving the 710, double-check your tire pressure; those potholes near the rail yards are no joke.