How far is Altadena, CA from Chula Vista, CA?
The driving distance from Altadena, CA to Chula Vista, CA is about 144 miles (231.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 122.9 miles (197.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 22m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 41m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 most populous city in Orange 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 Altadena and Chula Vista.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altadena and Chula Vista.
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1
Start on North Lake Avenue
2.6 mi · 6 min · North Lake Avenue
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2
Turn right onto East Maple Street
12 m · 1 sec · East Maple Street
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3
Take the ramp slight left toward I 210 West: San Fernando
1227 ft · 32 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Foothill Freeway
2074 ft · 27 sec · Foothill Freeway
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5
Keep slight left to continue on Ventura Freeway
1810 ft · 24 sec · Ventura Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward Del Mar Boulevard, California Boulevard
1.3 km · 2 min
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7
Merge slight left onto Long Beach Freeway
3218 ft · 52 sec · Long Beach Freeway
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8
Continue on South Saint John Avenue
1975 ft · 41 sec · South Saint John Avenue
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9
Turn straight onto South Pasadena Avenue
2358 ft · 56 sec · South Pasadena Avenue
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10
At the end of the road, turn left onto Columbia Street
53 m · 8 sec · Columbia Street
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11
Turn right onto Fremont Avenue
3.3 mi · 8 min · Fremont Avenue
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12
Turn right onto West Valley Boulevard
3146 ft · 1 min · West Valley Boulevard
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13
Turn left onto Long Beach Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · Long Beach Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight left toward I 5 South: Santa Ana
1984 ft · 48 sec
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15
Merge slight right onto Santa Ana Freeway
23.5 mi · 27 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1241 ft · 16 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
1.3 km · 57 sec
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18
Keep slight left
788 ft · 10 sec
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19
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South
981 ft · 13 sec
-
20
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 km · 54 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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21
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.2 km · 52 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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22
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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23
Take the exit slight right toward Newport Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min
-
24
Turn right onto Newport Avenue
1943 ft · 44 sec · Newport Avenue
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25
Turn left onto Walnut Avenue
2.2 mi · 4 min · Walnut Avenue
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26
Turn left onto Jamboree Road
2595 ft · 38 sec · Jamboree Road
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27
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 South
1479 ft · 21 sec
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28
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
5.5 mi · 6 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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29
Keep slight left to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 km · 56 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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30
Merge slight right onto San Diego Freeway
62.4 mi · 1 hr 13 min · San Diego Freeway
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31
Take the exit slight left
1.3 km · 55 sec
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32
Continue on Jacob Dekema Freeway
18.6 mi · 21 min · Jacob Dekema Freeway
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33
Take the exit slight right toward CA 54 East, CA 54 West
1234 ft · 30 sec
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34
Keep slight right to continue on CA 54 West
1631 ft · 40 sec
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35
Merge slight left onto South Bay Freeway
2230 ft · 27 sec · South Bay Freeway
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36
Take the exit slight right toward Highland Avenue, 4th Avenue
1451 ft · 44 sec
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37
Turn left onto Highland Avenue
1711 ft · 31 sec · Highland Avenue
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38
Continue on 4th Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · 4th Avenue
-
39
Turn right onto F Street
98 m · 34 sec · F Street
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40
Continue on F Street
83 m · 5 sec · F Street
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41
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · F Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Altadena and Chula Vista.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
San Diego Freeway
Merge slight right onto San Diego Freeway
62.4 mi · 01h 13m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny leaving Altadena and Mostly Sunny near Chula Vista.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Altadena to Chula Vista?
The road trip is about 144 miles (231.7 km) and usually takes 02h 41m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
San Clemente is a useful midpoint, sitting about 68.3 miles from Altadena and 75.6 miles from Chula Vista.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 122.9 miles (197.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:08 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.31 one way or $58.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Altadena and Mostly Sunny near Chula Vista.
Stop Ideas Near San Clemente
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Blue Lantern Inn, A Four Sisters Inn
The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
City of Lake Forest
Laguna Niguel City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to San Clemente.
San Clemente Pier station
San Juan Capistrano
Irvine Transportation Center
Oceanside Transit Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Altadena and Chula Vista. Straight-line distance: 122.92 mi (197.82 km).
#1 Altadena
Census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California, United States
| Population | 42,777 |
| Coordinates | 34.1897300, -118.1311800 |
| Altitude | 414 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Chula Vista
The second most populous city in San Diego County, California.
| Population | 272,979 |
| Coordinates | 32.6400500, -117.0842000 |
| Altitude | 21 |
| Country | United States |
End: F Street (-117.084196, 32.640039)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 232 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 35m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $29.31 | $58.61 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $30.82 | $61.63 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $31.71 | $63.43 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $38.44 | $76.88 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.