How far is Alpine, CA from San Diego, CA?
The driving distance from Alpine, CA to San Diego, CA is about 29.1 miles (46.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 24.5 miles (39.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 35m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The second most populous city in San Diego County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Alpine and San Diego.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alpine and San Diego.
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1
Start on the route
43 m · 13 sec
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2
Turn left onto Alpine Boulevard
1.2 km · 2 min · Alpine Boulevard
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3
Turn right onto Tavern Road
1406 ft · 43 sec · Tavern Road
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4
Take the ramp left toward I 8 West: San Diego
1759 ft · 43 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Kumeyaay Highway
8.6 mi · 9 min · Kumeyaay Highway
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6
Continue on Mission Valley Freeway
6.8 mi · 8 min · Mission Valley Freeway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward CA 125
1075 ft · 20 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on CA 125 South
1 km · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left
1.7 mi · 2 min
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10
Take the exit slight left toward CA 94 West
2173 ft · 53 sec
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11
Merge slight right onto Martin Luther King Junior Freeway
8.5 mi · 9 min · Martin Luther King Junior Freeway
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12
Turn right onto 16th Street
757 ft · 24 sec · 16th Street
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13
Turn left onto Broadway
1.4 km · 2 min · Broadway
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14
Turn left onto Front Street
8 m · 1 sec · Front Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Front Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Alpine and San Diego.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Kumeyaay Highway
Merge slight left onto Kumeyaay Highway
8.63 mi · 00h 09m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Sunny leaving Alpine and Mostly Sunny near San Diego.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Alpine to San Diego?
The road trip is about 29.1 miles (46.9 km) and usually takes 00h 35m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
El Cajon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14.6 miles from Alpine and 14.6 miles from San Diego.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 24.5 miles (39.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.6 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:18 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.94 one way or $11.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Alpine and Mostly Sunny near San Diego.
Stop Ideas Near El Cajon
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
El Primero Boutique Hotel
Crown City Inn
Coronado Beach Resort
San Diego County Administration Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to El Cajon.
Santa Fe Depot
Old Town Transit Center
Sorrento Valley station
Solana Beach
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Alpine and San Diego. Straight-line distance: 24.56 mi (39.53 km).
#1 Alpine
Census-designated place in San Diego County, California, United States
| Population | 14,236 |
| Coordinates | 32.8350500, -116.7664100 |
| Altitude | 559 |
| Country | United States |
#2 San Diego
The eighth most populous city in the United States and the center of the San Diego metropolitan area.
| Population | 1,422,420 |
| Coordinates | 32.7157100, -117.1647200 |
| Altitude | 20 |
| Country | United States |
End: Front Street (-117.164717, 32.71571)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 47 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $5.94 | $11.88 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $6.25 | $12.50 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $6.43 | $12.86 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $7.79 | $15.59 |
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 · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.