How far is Chula Vista, CA from Tulare, CA?
The driving distance from Chula Vista, CA to Tulare, CA is about 300.9 miles (484.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 278.2 miles (447.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 34m 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 05h 47m.
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.
City in California, USA
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 Tulare.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chula Vista and Tulare.
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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 left to continue on Golden State Freeway
27.4 mi · 30 min · Golden State Freeway
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31
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
6 mi · 7 min · Golden State Freeway
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32
Continue on Golden State Highway
54.5 mi · 58 min · Golden State Highway
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33
Take the exit slight right toward CA 137: Tulare Avenue
1255 ft · 31 sec
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34
Turn left onto East Tulare Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · East Tulare Avenue
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35
Turn left onto South J Street
16 m · 1 sec · South J Street
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36
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South J Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chula Vista and Tulare.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Golden State Highway
Continue on Golden State Highway
54.5 mi · 00h 58m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Chula Vista and Mostly Sunny near Tulare.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chula Vista to Tulare?
The road trip is about 300.9 miles (484.2 km) and usually takes 05h 47m 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?
San Fernando is a useful midpoint, sitting about 150.6 miles from Chula Vista and 150.2 miles from Tulare.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 278.2 miles (447.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.7 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:26 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $61.27 one way or $122.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 94.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Chula Vista and Mostly Sunny near Tulare.
Stop Ideas Near San Fernando
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 San Fernando.
Van Nuys station
Burbank Airport–South station
Santa Clarita-Newhall, California
Chatsworth station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chula Vista and Tulare. Straight-line distance: 278.19 mi (447.7 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 Tulare
The most populous city in Tulare County, California.
| Population | 66,797 |
| Coordinates | 36.2077300, -119.3473400 |
| Altitude | 88 |
| Country | United States |
End: Tulare (-119.34734, 36.20773)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 484 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $61.27 | $122.53 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $64.42 | $128.84 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $66.30 | $132.60 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $80.36 | $160.72 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.