How far is Chula Vista, CA from Van Nuys, CA?
The driving distance from Chula Vista, CA to Van Nuys, CA is about 146.5 miles (235.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 132.7 miles (213.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 55m 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 57m.
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 Orange County, California, United States
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 Van Nuys.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chula Vista and Van Nuys.
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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
10.7 mi · 13 min · Golden State Freeway
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26
Take the exit slight right toward CA 134 West: Ventura Freeway, Ventura
1842 ft · 24 sec
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27
Merge slight right onto Ventura Freeway
2950 ft · 38 sec · Ventura Freeway
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28
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Ventura Freeway
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29
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.2 km · 53 sec · Ventura Freeway
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30
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
6.1 mi · 7 min · Ventura Freeway
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31
Take the exit slight right toward Van Nuys Boulevard
1004 ft · 27 sec
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32
Turn right onto Van Nuys Boulevard
2 mi · 5 min · Van Nuys Boulevard
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33
Turn left onto Victory Boulevard
22 m · 2 sec · Victory Boulevard
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Victory Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chula Vista and Van Nuys.
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 Van Nuys.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chula Vista to Van Nuys?
The road trip is about 146.5 miles (235.7 km) and usually takes 02h 57m 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?
San Juan Capistrano is a useful midpoint, sitting about 73.3 miles from Chula Vista and 73.2 miles from Van Nuys.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 132.7 miles (213.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:34 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.83 one way or $59.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Chula Vista and Sunny near Van Nuys.
Stop Ideas Near San Juan Capistrano
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 San Juan Capistrano.
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 Van Nuys. Straight-line distance: 132.72 mi (213.59 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 Van Nuys
Located in the central San Fernando Valley, this Los Angeles neighborhood is a densely populated area.
| Population | 136,443 |
| Coordinates | 34.18667, -118.44897 |
| Altitude | - |
| Country | United States |
End: Van Nuys (-118.44897, 34.18667)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 236 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $29.83 | $59.65 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $31.36 | $62.72 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $32.28 | $64.55 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $39.12 | $78.24 |
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 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.