How far is Chula Vista, CA from Alhambra, CA?
The driving distance from Chula Vista, CA to Alhambra, CA is about 128.9 miles (207.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 117.2 miles (188.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 14m 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 37m.
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.
The most populous city in Orange County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chula Vista and Alhambra.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chula Vista and Alhambra.
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1
Start on F Street
16 m · 3 sec · F Street
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2
Turn left onto 4th Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · 4th Avenue
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3
Continue on Highland Avenue
146 m · 11 sec · Highland Avenue
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4
Take the ramp right toward CA 54 East
1007 ft · 25 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto South Bay Freeway
1592 ft · 19 sec · South Bay Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 805
958 ft · 23 sec
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 805 North
1.4 km · 2 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Jacob Dekema Freeway
18.7 mi · 21 min · Jacob Dekema Freeway
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9
Keep slight left
1.3 km · 56 sec
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10
Merge slight right onto San Diego Freeway
35.4 mi · 42 min · San Diego Freeway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway
18.1 mi · 21 min · San Diego Freeway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway
7.4 mi · 9 min · San Diego Freeway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Bake Parkway
1.6 mi · 2 min
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14
Keep slight right
6 mi · 7 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Jamboree Road
1266 ft · 17 sec
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16
Continue straight
527 ft · 11 sec
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17
Turn right onto Jamboree Road
760 ft · 18 sec · Jamboree Road
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18
Turn left onto El Camino Real
2.2 mi · 5 min · El Camino Real
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19
Turn left onto Newport Avenue
109 m · 14 sec · Newport Avenue
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20
Take the ramp right toward I 5 North: Los Angeles
1127 ft · 17 sec
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21
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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22
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.7 mi · 2 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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23
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
9.4 mi · 11 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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24
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
15.7 mi · 18 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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25
Take the exit slight left toward I 710 North: Pasadena
2151 ft · 41 sec
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26
Merge slight right onto Long Beach Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Long Beach Freeway
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27
Turn right onto West Valley Boulevard
2826 ft · 1 min · West Valley Boulevard
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28
Turn left onto South Fremont Avenue
909 ft · 23 sec · South Fremont Avenue
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29
Turn right onto East Mission Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · East Mission Road
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30
Turn left onto South Atlantic Boulevard
2486 ft · 1 min · South Atlantic Boulevard
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31
Turn right onto West Main Street
2708 ft · 1 min · West Main Street
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32
Turn left onto North Garfield Avenue
19 m · 2 sec · North Garfield Avenue
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Garfield Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chula Vista and Alhambra.
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
35.4 mi · 00h 42m
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.
Sunny leaving Chula Vista and Sunny near Alhambra.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chula Vista to Alhambra?
The road trip is about 128.9 miles (207.4 km) and usually takes 02h 37m 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 64.5 miles from Chula Vista and 64.4 miles from Alhambra.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 117.2 miles (188.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.7 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 1:16 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.25 one way or $52.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Chula Vista and Sunny near Alhambra.
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
Laguna Niguel City Hall
Doheny State Beach Campground
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 Chula Vista and Alhambra. Straight-line distance: 117.18 mi (188.58 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Alhambra
A city in Los Angeles County, California.
| Population | 83,261 |
| Coordinates | 34.0952900, -118.1270100 |
| Altitude | 150 |
| Country | United States |
End: Alhambra (-118.12701, 34.09529)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 207 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 50m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $26.25 | $52.50 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $27.60 | $55.20 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $28.41 | $56.81 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $34.43 | $68.86 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.