How far is Chula Vista, CA from Santa Clarita, CA?
The driving distance from Chula Vista, CA to Santa Clarita, CA is about 160.1 miles (257.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 147.3 miles (237.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 26m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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 03h 13m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 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 Chula Vista and Santa Clarita.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chula Vista and Santa Clarita.
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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
4.8 mi · 5 min
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29
Take the exit slight right toward Lyons Avenue, Pico Canyon Road
878 ft · 21 sec
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30
Keep slight right to continue on Lyons Avenue, Newhall, William S. Hart Park, The Master's University
149 m · 12 sec
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31
Turn straight onto Lyons Avenue
1604 ft · 36 sec · Lyons Avenue
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32
Turn left onto Wiley Canyon Road
1.1 mi · 3 min · Wiley Canyon Road
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33
Turn right onto Orchard Village Road
936 ft · 25 sec · Orchard Village Road
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34
Turn left onto 16th Street
1674 ft · 46 sec · 16th Street
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35
Turn left onto Newhall Avenue
137 m · 20 sec · Newhall Avenue
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36
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Newhall Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chula Vista and Santa Clarita.
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 longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Chula Vista and Mostly Sunny near Santa Clarita.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chula Vista to Santa Clarita?
The road trip is about 160.1 miles (257.7 km) and usually takes 03h 13m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Mission Viejo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.1 miles from Chula Vista and 80 miles from Santa Clarita.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 147.3 miles (237.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.8 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:34 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.59 one way or $65.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Chula Vista and Mostly Sunny near Santa Clarita.
Stop Ideas Near Mission Viejo
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
Newport Beach Municipal Operations
City of Lake Forest
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mission Viejo.
San Juan Capistrano
Irvine Transportation Center
San Clemente Pier station
Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chula Vista and Santa Clarita. Straight-line distance: 147.32 mi (237.09 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 Santa Clarita
The second most populous city in Los Angeles County, California.
| Population | 209,990 |
| Coordinates | 34.3916600, -118.5425900 |
| Altitude | 368 |
| Country | United States |
End: Santa Clarita (-118.54259, 34.39166)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 258 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $32.59 | $65.19 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $34.27 | $68.55 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $35.27 | $70.55 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $42.75 | $85.51 |
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.