Long Beach, California to Santa Cruz: Road Trip Guide & Distance

309.4 miles 497.9 km · straight line
366.8 miles actual route 590.3 km · driving distance
7h 1min estimated drive time
$35 - $43 estimated fuel cost
~1h 7min flight time
317° NW bearing direction

How far is Long Beach, California from Santa Cruz?

The distance from Long Beach, California to Santa Cruz is 309.4 miles (497.9 km) as the crow flies. Santa Cruz is located NW of Long Beach, California. By car, the driving distance is approximately 366.8 miles, taking about 7h 1min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 7min. Both are located in United States.

This is a solid day of driving. Be sure to take breaks every 2-3 hours to avoid driver fatigue, and plan your meals ahead of time. Since you'll be heading mostly West, pack a good pair of sunglasses if you plan to drive during the late afternoon to avoid the harsh sun glare.

Coordinates come from public place data for Long Beach, California and Santa Cruz. The driving distance uses an OSRM road-route result when route data is available. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Long Beach, California to Santa Cruz

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 7h 1min $35 - $43 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 7min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~8h 25min $29–$55* Budget
Train ~6h 40min $44–$128* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Long Beach, California & Santa Cruz

Quick Facts

Long Beach, California
33.77°N, 118.19°W
America/Los_Angeles
9m elevation
Santa Cruz
36.97°N, 122.03°W
America/Los_Angeles
9m elevation
Explore more routes from Santa Cruz

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 103 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 26 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 80.5 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM