How far is Chula Vista, CA from Santa Monica, CA?
The driving distance from Chula Vista, CA to Santa Monica, CA is about 140.2 miles (225.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 125.2 miles (201.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 33m 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 46m.
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.
City in California, US
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chula Vista and Santa Monica.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chula Vista and Santa Monica.
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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
-
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 right to continue on San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
14.1 mi · 16 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
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13
Continue on Corona Del Mar Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · Corona Del Mar Freeway
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14
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
9.6 mi · 11 min · San Diego Freeway
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15
Keep slight left
32.9 mi · 38 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 10: Santa Monica, Los Angeles
861 ft · 21 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on I 10 West: Santa Monica
1.1 km · 1 min
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18
Merge slight left onto Santa Monica Freeway
2.6 mi · 3 min · Santa Monica Freeway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward CA 1 South: Lincoln Boulevard
1062 ft · 26 sec
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20
Turn straight onto Olympic Boulevard
146 m · 15 sec · Olympic Boulevard
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21
Turn right onto Lincoln Boulevard
2126 ft · 1 min · Lincoln Boulevard
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Lincoln Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chula Vista and Santa Monica.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Chula Vista and Sunny near Santa Monica.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chula Vista to Santa Monica?
The road trip is about 140.2 miles (225.7 km) and usually takes 02h 46m 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?
Dana Point is a useful midpoint, sitting about 70.2 miles from Chula Vista and 70.1 miles from Santa Monica.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 125.2 miles (201.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 15 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 12:56 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.56 one way or $57.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Chula Vista and Sunny near Santa Monica.
Stop Ideas Near Dana Point
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
City of Lake Forest
Laguna Niguel City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Dana Point.
San Juan Capistrano
San Clemente Pier station
Irvine Transportation Center
Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chula Vista and Santa Monica. Straight-line distance: 125.22 mi (201.52 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 Monica
A city in Los Angeles County, California.
| Population | 90,024 |
| Coordinates | 34.0194500, -118.4911900 |
| Altitude | 32 |
| Country | United States |
End: Santa Monica (-118.49119, 34.01945)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 226 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 44m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $28.56 | $57.11 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $30.03 | $60.05 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $30.90 | $61.81 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $37.46 | $74.91 |
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 · May 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.