How far is Chula Vista, CA from San Rafael, CA?
The driving distance from Chula Vista, CA to San Rafael, CA is about 518.7 miles (834.7 km), with a travel time of about 09h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 479.5 miles (771.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 19h 35m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 09h 47m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Place in Kern 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 Chula Vista and San Rafael.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chula Vista and San Rafael.
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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
18 mi · 21 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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25
Keep slight right to continue on Golden State Freeway
25.5 mi · 30 min · Golden State Freeway
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26
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Golden State Freeway
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27
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
1.5 mi · 2 min
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28
Keep slight left
36.1 mi · 42 min
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29
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
22.3 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway
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30
Keep slight right to continue on Westside Freeway
225.6 mi · 4 hr 2 min · Westside Freeway
-
31
Keep slight left to continue on William Elton Brown Freeway
15.9 mi · 17 min · William Elton Brown Freeway
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32
Keep slight right to continue on William Elton Brown Freeway
1.1 mi · 1 min · William Elton Brown Freeway
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33
Merge slight left onto Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
18 mi · 21 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
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34
Keep slight right to continue on Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
11.6 mi · 13 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
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35
Keep slight right to continue on MacArthur Freeway
8.3 mi · 10 min · MacArthur Freeway
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36
Keep slight left to continue on MacArthur Freeway
8.3 mi · 10 min · MacArthur Freeway
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37
Continue on Eastshore Freeway
3.3 mi · 4 min · Eastshore Freeway
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38
Keep slight right to continue on John T. Knox Freeway
12.9 mi · 17 min · John T. Knox Freeway
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39
Keep slight left to continue on US 101 North: San Rafeal
1.1 km · 54 sec
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40
Merge slight left onto Redwood Highway
2148 ft · 33 sec · Redwood Highway
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41
Take the exit slight right toward Central San Rafael
1526 ft · 39 sec
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42
Continue on Irwin Street
654 ft · 21 sec · Irwin Street
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43
Turn left onto Fourth Street
3034 ft · 1 min · Fourth Street
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44
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Fourth Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chula Vista and San Rafael.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Westside Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on Westside Freeway
226 mi · 04h 02m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Sunny leaving Chula Vista and Mostly Sunny near San Rafael.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chula Vista to San Rafael?
The road trip is about 518.7 miles (834.7 km) and usually takes 09h 47m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Buttonwillow is a useful midpoint, sitting about 259.4 miles from Chula Vista and 259.2 miles from San Rafael.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 479.5 miles (771.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.2 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 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM PDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $105.57 one way or $211.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 162.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Chula Vista and Mostly Sunny near San Rafael.
Stop Ideas Near Buttonwillow
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Buttonwillow.
Wasco station
Bakersfield
Corcoran station
Kettleman City, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chula Vista and San Rafael. Straight-line distance: 479.51 mi (771.69 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 Rafael
The most populous city in Marin County, California.
| Population | 58,528 |
| Coordinates | 37.9735300, -122.5310900 |
| Altitude | 13 |
| Country | United States |
End: San Rafael (-122.53109, 37.97353)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 835 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 17h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 12h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 10h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 08h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 07h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 06h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $105.57 | $211.15 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $111.01 | $222.02 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $114.25 | $228.49 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $138.48 | $276.95 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.