How far is Castaic, CA from San Diego, CA?
The driving distance from Castaic, CA to San Diego, CA is about 166.3 miles (267.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 148.5 miles (239 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 57m 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 58m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
A city located in Orange County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Castaic and San Diego.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Castaic and San Diego.
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1
Start on Castaic Oak Lane
19 m · 7 sec · Castaic Oak Lane
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2
Turn right onto Parker Road
996 ft · 31 sec · Parker Road
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3
Take the ramp right toward I 5 South: Los Angeles
1139 ft · 28 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Golden State Freeway
12.5 mi · 14 min · Golden State Freeway
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5
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Golden State Freeway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on I 405 South
1354 ft · 18 sec
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7
Keep slight left
24.7 mi · 29 min
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Golden State Freeway
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9
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
25.7 mi · 30 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1241 ft · 16 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
1.3 km · 57 sec
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12
Keep slight left
788 ft · 10 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South
981 ft · 13 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 km · 54 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.2 km · 52 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Newport Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min
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18
Turn right onto Newport Avenue
1943 ft · 44 sec · Newport Avenue
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19
Turn left onto Walnut Avenue
2.2 mi · 4 min · Walnut Avenue
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20
Turn left onto Jamboree Road
2595 ft · 38 sec · Jamboree Road
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21
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 South
1479 ft · 21 sec
-
22
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
5.5 mi · 6 min · Santa Ana Freeway
-
23
Keep slight left to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 km · 56 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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24
Merge slight right onto San Diego Freeway
76.5 mi · 1 hr 29 min · San Diego Freeway
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25
Take the exit slight right toward Front Street, Civic Center, 2nd Avenue
1164 ft · 28 sec
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26
Keep slight right to continue on Front Street, Civic Center
592 ft · 15 sec
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27
Continue on Front Street
2662 ft · 2 min · Front Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Front Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Castaic and San Diego.
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
76.5 mi · 01h 29m
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.
Clear leaving Castaic and Sunny near San Diego.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Castaic to San Diego?
The road trip is about 166.3 miles (267.6 km) and usually takes 02h 58m 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?
Irvine is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.4 miles from Castaic and 85.9 miles from San Diego.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 148.5 miles (239 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.8 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 12:32 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.75 one way or $73.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Clear around Castaic and Sunny near San Diego.
Stop Ideas Near Irvine
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Miraval Life in Balance Spa at Monarch Beach Resort
Newport Beach Municipal Operations
City of Lake Forest
City of Tustin Parks & Recreation
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Irvine.
Irvine Transportation Center
Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center
Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center
Fullerton Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Castaic and San Diego. Straight-line distance: 148.49 mi (238.97 km).
#1 Castaic
Situated in the northwestern portion of Los Angeles County, this unincorporated area rests at an elevation of 1,227 feet within the rugged terrain of the Sierra Pelona Mountains.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 34.4888800, -118.6228700 |
| Altitude | 374 |
| 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: 268 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 19m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $36.75 | $73.50 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $38.15 | $76.30 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $39.26 | $78.53 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $49.38 | $98.77 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026