Uber vs Lyft Prices in Long Beach, CA
Compare base fares from $1.50 • Per-mile rates from $1.30 • Updated 2026
Avg. Ride Cost
$73
Service Tiers
8
Airport Rides
1 routes
Cheapest Option
Lyft
Save ~$0.40/ride
How much does an Uber or Lyft cost in Long Beach, CA? UberX base fares in Long Beach start at $1.65 plus $1.35/mile and $0.26/minute. Lyft starts at $1.50 plus $1.30/mile and $0.24/minute. Standard taxi fares begin at $2.85 with $2.70/mile. Based on current rate cards, Lyft offers the lowest base fare in Long Beach. Actual prices vary with distance, time of day, and surge demand. Compare all options below to find the cheapest ride for your specific route.
Long Beach Rideshare & Taxi Rate Table
| Service | Base Fare | Per Mile | Per Min | Booking Fee | Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UberX | $1.65 | $1.35 | $0.26 | $2.30 | $6.50 |
| Uber Comfort | $2.80 | $1.80 | $0.35 | $2.30 | $9.00 |
| UberXL | $3.00 | $2.40 | $0.42 | $2.30 | $10.00 |
| Uber Black | $8.00 | $3.55 | $0.65 | $0.00 | $15.00 |
| Lyft Standard | $1.50 | $1.30 | $0.24 | $2.35 | $6.25 |
| Lyft XL | $3.00 | $2.30 | $0.40 | $2.35 | $9.50 |
| Lyft Lux | $8.00 | $3.40 | $0.55 | $0.00 | $15.00 |
| Taxi | $2.85 | $2.70 | $0.33 | $0.00 | $6.50 |
Rates based on publicly available rate cards from Uber, Lyft, and local taxi authorities. Actual fares include distance, time, surge multipliers, and fees. Last updated April 2026.
Peak Pricing & Surge Multipliers in Long Beach
Uber and Lyft use surge (dynamic) pricing during high-demand periods. The table below shows typical surge multipliers for Long Beach by time of day. A 1.5x multiplier means your fare is 50% higher than the standard rate.
| Service | Standard | Morning Rush | Evening Rush | Late Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UberX | 1x | 1.4x | 1.5x | 1.15x |
| Lyft Standard | 1x | 1.4x | 1.5x | 1.15x |
| Taxi | 1x | 1x | 1x | 1x |
Surge multipliers are estimates based on typical demand patterns. Actual surge pricing varies in real time. Morning rush: 7–9 AM, Evening rush: 4–7 PM, Late night: 11 PM–4 AM.
Is Uber or Lyft Cheaper in Long Beach?
Lyft is currently cheaper for base fares in Long Beach. Lyft Standard has a base fare of $1.50 compared to UberX's $1.65 — a difference of $0.15 per ride before distance and time charges. However, per-mile rates tell a more complete story: UberX charges $1.35/mile while Lyft charges $1.30/mile. This means Lyft is cheaper for longer rides in Long Beach. Prices also vary with time of day and surge demand — always compare both apps before booking.
Uber & Lyft Price Per Mile in Long Beach
The Uber price per mile in Long Beach is $1.35/mile for UberX, with a base fare of $1.65 and a per-minute charge of $0.26/min. Lyft's per-mile rate in Long Beach is $1.30/mile with a base fare of $1.50.
Lyft charges less per mile in Long Beach — ideal for longer trips where the per-mile rate dominates the fare. Always compare both apps before booking, since surge pricing can reverse which service is cheaper at any given moment. For a full national comparison, see our Uber price per mile guide.
Rideshare Guide for Long Beach
Local Tips for Riders in Long Beach
- •Long Beach is technically part of LA County but has a distinct vibe and its own rideshare ecosystem. Drivers circulate between LB, Lakewood, and south LA.
- •The Pike and Shoreline Drive waterfront area have the best driver supply, especially during events at the Convention Center.
- •Belmont Shore (2nd Street) is the neighborhood nightlife spot — decent driver supply but it surges after midnight on weekends.
- •Long Beach to LAX is only 20 miles but can take 60+ minutes during rush hour. Use the Green Line or FlyAway bus when possible.
Best Time to Ride
Between 10 AM and noon on weekdays, after the LA commuter traffic clears the 710 and 405 freeways.
Avoid Surge Pricing
After events at the Long Beach Convention Center, walk north to Broadway or east to Alamitos Avenue — the Convention Center exits onto a narrow stretch of Seaside Way that gets gridlocked.
Neighborhood Rideshare Guide
Downtown Long Beach and the waterfront have the highest driver density. Belmont Shore and Naples are well-served. North Long Beach, the Westside, and Bixby Knolls have moderate coverage. Signal Hill (surrounded by LB) has limited service.
Alternative Transportation
Long Beach Transit runs extensive bus routes. The Metro A Line (Blue Line) light rail connects downtown Long Beach to downtown LA. Passport shuttle routes serve downtown and waterfront areas for free. Long Beach bike-share has stations along the coast.
Cost vs. Other Options
A rideshare from LGB to downtown is just $8-$12. The Metro A Line from Long Beach to downtown LA is $1.75. Monthly Metro passes are $100 — a strong value for LA-bound commuters.
Events That Trigger Surge Pricing in Long Beach
Grand Prix of Long Beach (April) shuts down downtown streets and creates massive surge for an entire weekend.Long Beach Convention Center events (trade shows, expos) create multi-day surge along Seaside Way.Queen Mary events and waterfront concerts surge the entire Queensway Bay area.
Airport Pickup Tip
Long Beach Airport (LGB) is tiny and easy — rideshare pickup is right outside the terminal. Rides to downtown LB are just $8-$12. Many Long Beach residents use LAX, which is $25-$40 by rideshare.
Airport Rides from Long Beach
Rideshare in Long Beach
Long Beach is a major city in California, with a population of approximately 466,742. Uber, Lyft, and taxi services are widely available throughout the metropolitan area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Uber or Lyft cheaper in Long Beach?
In Long Beach, Lyft is typically 3-8% cheaper than Uber for standard rides, though prices vary by time of day and demand. During surge pricing events, either service could be cheaper. We recommend comparing both before booking.
How much does an Uber cost in Long Beach?
UberX rides in Long Beach typically start with a base fare of $1.50-$2.55, plus $1.20-$1.75 per mile and $0.22-$0.35 per minute. A typical 5-mile ride costs approximately $10-$18 depending on traffic and demand.
Are taxis cheaper than Uber in Long Beach?
In Long Beach, Uber and Lyft are generally 15-30% cheaper than taxis for most rides. However, taxis don't have surge pricing, so during peak demand periods (concerts, sporting events, holidays), taxis may actually be the better deal.
What rideshare options are available in Long Beach?
Long Beach has Uber (UberX, Comfort, XL, Black), Lyft (Standard, XL, Lux), and local taxi services. All rideshare services are available through their respective apps. Some areas may also have local rideshare alternatives.
When is the cheapest time to get an Uber in Long Beach?
The cheapest times for rideshare in Long Beach are typically mid-morning (10am-12pm) and mid-afternoon (2pm-4pm) on weekdays. Avoid rush hours (7-9am, 5-7pm) and late night (12am-3am on weekends) when surge pricing is most common.
Do Uber and Lyft operate 24/7 in Long Beach?
Yes, both Uber and Lyft operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in Long Beach. However, wait times may be longer during very late/early hours (3am-5am) due to fewer available drivers.
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Disclaimer: Prices shown are estimates based on publicly available rate data and may differ from actual fares. Actual prices vary based on real-time demand, traffic conditions, promotions, and other factors. RideWise is not affiliated with Uber, Lyft, or any taxi company.