How far is Chula Vista, CA from San Diego, CA?
The driving distance from Chula Vista, CA to San Diego, CA is about 9.8 miles (15.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 7 miles (11.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 31m 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 15m.
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 most populous city in San Diego County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chula Vista and San Diego.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chula Vista and San Diego.
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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
1711 ft · 42 sec · Highland Avenue
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4
Take the ramp sharp left toward CA 54 West
1394 ft · 34 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto South Bay Freeway
1366 ft · 17 sec · South Bay Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 North, a
2787 ft · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left onto John J. Montgomery Freeway
4.9 mi · 5 min · John J. Montgomery Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward CA 94 East: J Street, Martin Luther king Junior Freeway
992 ft · 24 sec
-
9
Continue on 19th Street
544 ft · 16 sec · 19th Street
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10
Turn left onto Island Avenue
2441 ft · 53 sec · Island Avenue
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11
Turn right onto North 11th Avenue
1925 ft · 48 sec · North 11th Avenue
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12
Turn left onto Broadway
3091 ft · 1 min · Broadway
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13
Turn left onto Front Street
8 m · 1 sec · Front Street
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Front Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chula Vista 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.
John J. Montgomery Freeway
Merge slight left onto John J. Montgomery Freeway
4.85 mi · 00h 05m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Chula Vista 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 Chula Vista to San Diego?
The road trip is about 9.8 miles (15.7 km) and usually takes 00h 15m 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?
National City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 4.4 miles from Chula Vista and 5.3 miles from San Diego.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 7 miles (11.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.8 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:58 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.02 one way or $4.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 3.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Chula Vista and Mostly Sunny near San Diego.
Stop Ideas Near National City
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 National City.
Santa Fe Depot
Old Town Transit Center
Sorrento Valley station
Solana Beach
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chula Vista and San Diego. Straight-line distance: 7.02 mi (11.29 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 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: 16 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $2.02 | $4.04 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $2.12 | $4.25 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $2.19 | $4.37 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $2.65 | $5.30 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.