Origin
Costa Mesa, CA
Afternoon in Costa Mesa on Sunday
Local time
4:20 PM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Costa Mesa, CA to Long Beach, CA
Drive Time
33m
Distance
23.7 mi
38 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 31m
★
6 AM
0h 34m
8 AM
0h 39m
10 AM
0h 36m
12 PM
0h 35m
3 PM
0h 36m
5 PM
0h 39m
8 PM
0h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Costa Mesa, CA
Abhishek Navlakha
Long Beach, CA
Saidamir Mukhitdinov
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel between Costa Mesa and Long Beach, you are looking at a quick 23.7-mile connection along the Pacific Coast. You can expect to spend about 33 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect day trip that requires no overnight stay. With fuel costs estimated at just $3, it is an incredibly budget-friendly commute. The journey relies on a combination of the Costa Mesa Freeway and I-405 North to bridge these two Southern California cities. Because the entire route remains within the same Pacific Coast region, you will find a consistent atmosphere throughout the drive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
11.9 miles from Costa Mesa, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 16m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is best described as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight-line interstate cruise. While you will utilize I-405, the route lacks long, uninterrupted highway stretches, meaning you will need to stay alert for frequent transitions. There is no significant highway-only section to settle into, as the longest stretch on the Costa Mesa Freeway is effectively zero miles. Expect a dynamic experience that requires constant attention to navigation as you move through the local infrastructure. It is a practical, utilitarian drive that prioritizes efficiency over long-distance touring.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Costa Mesa Freeway is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Costa Mesa, CA to Long Beach, CA is easy. At 33m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Costa Mesa, CA to Long Beach, CA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Costa Mesa Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 405 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 405 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Corona Del Mar Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| San Diego Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| CA 22 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East 7th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Junipero Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Costa Mesa Freeway
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Costa Mesa, CA and Long Beach, CA.
1
Start on Newport Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
Newport Boulevard
2
Continue on Costa Mesa Freeway
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Costa Mesa Freeway
3
Take the exit slight right toward CA 73 North, I 405, CA 73 South: Long Beach, San Diego
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
CA 73 North, I 405, CA 73 South: Long Beach, San Diego
4
Keep slight left to continue on CA 73 North, I 405 North: Long Beach
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
CA 73 North, I 405 North: Long Beach
5
Merge slight left onto Corona Del Mar Freeway
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Corona Del Mar Freeway
6
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
9.6 mi
·
11 min
·
San Diego Freeway
7
Keep slight left
2.7 mi
·
3 min
8
Take the exit slight right toward CA 22 West: Long Beach
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
CA 22 West: Long Beach
9
Keep slight left to continue on East 7th Street
2.3 mi
·
5 min
·
East 7th Street
10
Turn left onto Junipero Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Junipero Avenue
11
Turn right
167 ft
·
5 sec
12
Turn straight onto East 3rd Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East 3rd Street
13
Turn left onto Cerritos Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Cerritos Avenue
14
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Ocean Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Ocean Boulevard
15
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, 33-minute hop, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule, but keep in mind that local traffic can impact your travel time. You do not need to worry about planning for multiple stops or refueling mid-trip given the minimal $3 fuel requirement. Aim to leave during off-peak hours to avoid the common congestion often found on I-405. Because the route is quite short and involves numerous turns, double-check your GPS navigation before you pull out of Costa Mesa to ensure you stay on the correct freeway interchanges.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 11.9 miles from Costa Mesa, CA, or about 16m into the drive.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 23.7 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 11.9 miles or 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Long Beach, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Costa Mesa, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Costa Mesa, CA
This is one driving day of about 23.7 miles and 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Costa Mesa, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 11.9 mi from Costa Mesa, CA · 16m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
12 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 23.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 11.9 miles from Costa Mesa, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Long Beach, CA
The final approach into Long Beach, CA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Long Beach, CA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.49 one way
$10.98 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
8 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $5.66 | $11.32 |
| premium | $6.24 | $5.83 | $11.65 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $5.27 | $10.53 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 8.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.1 | 0 | $2.49 | $1.14 |
| Efficient EV | 5.9 | 0 | $2.07 | $0.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 9.5 | 0 | $3.32 | $1.52 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Long Beach, CA
Afternoon in Long Beach on Sunday
Local time
4:20 PM
PDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
18 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
33m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Costa Mesa, CA to Long Beach, CA covers 23.7 miles and takes about 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Costa Mesa Freeway, I 405, I 405 North. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 11.9 miles from Costa Mesa, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.49 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Costa Mesa, CA to Long Beach, CA is easy. At 33m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Costa Mesa, CA to Long Beach, CA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Costa Mesa, CA to Long Beach, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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