How far is Chula Vista, CA from Seal Beach, CA?

The driving distance from Chula Vista, CA to Seal Beach, CA is about 108 miles (173.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 10m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 96.3 miles (155 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 21m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
108.03 mi
02h 10m
Flight
96.29 mi
154.97 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Chula Vista.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
96.29 mi
Kilometers
154.97 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
108.03 mi
Kilometers
173.85 km
Drive Time
02h 10m

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 10m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Seal Beach
Sun, Apr 19, 3:27 AM PDT
Return by in Chula Vista
Sun, Apr 19, 5:38 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chula Vista
2026-04-19T01:16
Arrive Seal Beach
Sun, Apr 19, 3:27 AM PDT
Route Timing
02h 10m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:11 AM to 12:11 PM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:08 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Chula Vista
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Oceanside
CA

The second most populous city in San Diego County, California.

From Chula Vista
54.1 mi
01h 05m
To Seal Beach
54 mi
01h 05m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
70°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph NW
Destination
Seal Beach Weather
CA
Live fallback forecast
72°F
Sunday
Using Rossmoor as the closest live forecast in the Orange County weather hub.

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 15 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Chula Vista and Seal Beach.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chula Vista and Seal Beach.

  1. 1

    Start on F Street

    16 m · 3 sec · F Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 4th Avenue

    1.5 km · 2 min · 4th Avenue

  3. 3

    Continue on Highland Avenue

    146 m · 11 sec · Highland Avenue

  4. 4

    Take the ramp right toward CA 54 East

    1007 ft · 25 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto South Bay Freeway

    1592 ft · 19 sec · South Bay Freeway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 805

    958 ft · 23 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 805 North

    1.4 km · 2 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Jacob Dekema Freeway

    18.7 mi · 21 min · Jacob Dekema Freeway

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    1.3 km · 56 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight right onto San Diego Freeway

    35.4 mi · 42 min · San Diego Freeway

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway

    18.1 mi · 21 min · San Diego Freeway

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

    14.1 mi · 16 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

  13. 13

    Continue on Corona Del Mar Freeway

    4 mi · 5 min · Corona Del Mar Freeway

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway

    8.3 mi · 10 min · San Diego Freeway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward Westminster Boulevard

    2246 ft · 1 min

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Westminster Boulevard

    3.3 mi · 5 min · Westminster Boulevard

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Seal Beach Boulevard

    1.7 mi · 3 min · Seal Beach Boulevard

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Pacific Coast Highway

    2498 ft · 57 sec · Pacific Coast Highway

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Main Street

    1310 ft · 33 sec · Main Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Chula Vista and Seal Beach.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
20 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
4 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
18.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
San Diego Freeway
61.7 mi · 57%
Jacob Dekema Freeway
19.5 mi · 18%
San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
14.1 mi · 13%
Corona Del Mar Freeway
4.02 mi · 4%
Westminster Boulevard
3.7 mi · 3%
Seal Beach Boulevard
1.71 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 10m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.7 mi
96.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Oceanside
01h 05m from Chula Vista
Leave By
2:08 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Chula Vista and Mostly Sunny near Seal Beach.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Chula Vista to Seal Beach?

The road trip is about 108 miles (173.8 km) and usually takes 02h 10m 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?

Oceanside is a useful midpoint, sitting about 54.1 miles from Chula Vista and 54 miles from Seal Beach.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 96.3 miles (155 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 2:08 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.98 one way or $43.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 33.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Chula Vista and Mostly Sunny near Seal Beach.

Stop Ideas Near Oceanside

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Oceanside and the surrounding midpoint area.
Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort
Stay option 12.7 mi away

Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort

Carlsbad , CA
3075 Carlsbad Blvd #2906, Carlsbad, CA 92008, United States
Rating 4.5/5 1,778 reviews Resort hotel,Indoor lodging
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 12.4 mi away

San Clemente Business Licenses

San Clemente , CA
910 Calle Negocio # 100, San Clemente, CA 92673, United States
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews City government office
City of San Clemente City Hall
Nearby stop 12.4 mi away

City of San Clemente City Hall

San Clemente , CA
910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, CA 92673, United States
Rating 3.7/5 3 reviews Corporate office,City or town hall
Carlsbad Village Inn
Stay option 12.6 mi away

Carlsbad Village Inn

Carlsbad , CA
1006 Carlsbad Village Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92008, United States
Rating 3.8/5 1,043 reviews Motel,Hotel

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Oceanside.

RAIL

Oceanside Transit Center

235 South Tremont Street
RAIL

Carlsbad Village station

5 mi away
2775 State Street
RAIL

Carlsbad Poinsettia, CA

11 mi away
6511 Avenida Encinas
RAIL

Encinitas, CA

18 mi away
25 East D Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Chula Vista and Seal Beach. Straight-line distance: 96.29 mi (154.97 km).

Chula Vista

#1 Chula Vista

The second most populous city in San Diego County, California.

Population272,979
Coordinates32.6400500, -117.0842000
Altitude21
CountryUnited States
Seal Beach

#2 Seal Beach

City in Organg County, California, United States

Population23,887
Coordinates33.7414100, -118.1047900
Altitude4
CountryUnited States
Start: Chula Vista (-117.0842, 32.64005)
End: Seal Beach (-118.10479, 33.74141)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 174 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 35m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 42m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 09m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 48m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 32m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 20m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.81 gal
14.43 L · about $21.98
Round trip
$43.96
7.62 gal · 28.86 L
Estimated CO2
33.9 kg one way
Round trip: 67.7 kg / 149 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $21.98 $43.96
Mid-grade $6.07 $23.11 $46.22
Premium $6.24 $23.79 $47.57
Diesel $7.57 $28.83 $57.66

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Chula Vista and Seal Beach. The current time is 01:16:25.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.