How far is El Monte, CA from San Diego, CA?
The driving distance from El Monte, CA to San Diego, CA is about 120.2 miles (193.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 105.9 miles (170.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 47m 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 01h 53m.
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.
The most populous city in Orange County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between El Monte and San Diego.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between El Monte and San Diego.
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1
Start on Valley Boulevard
3 m · 1 sec
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2
Turn right onto Valley Boulevard
61 m · 12 sec · Valley Boulevard
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3
Turn left onto Peck Road
1.6 mi · 4 min · Peck Road
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4
Turn right onto Durfee Avenue
2651 ft · 1 min · Durfee Avenue
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5
Continue on Peck Road
1.3 km · 1 min · Peck Road
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6
Take the ramp slight right toward I 605 South
2114 ft · 54 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto San Gabriel River Freeway
6.4 mi · 7 min · San Gabriel River Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 South, I 5 North: Santa Ana, Los Angeles
909 ft · 22 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South: Santa Ana, Florence Avenue
871 ft · 21 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South: Santa Ana
1460 ft · 36 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
16.6 mi · 19 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1241 ft · 16 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
1.3 km · 57 sec
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14
Keep slight left
788 ft · 10 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South
981 ft · 13 sec
-
16
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 km · 54 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.2 km · 52 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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18
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Newport Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min
-
20
Turn right onto Newport Avenue
1943 ft · 44 sec · Newport Avenue
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21
Turn left onto Walnut Avenue
2.2 mi · 4 min · Walnut Avenue
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22
Turn left onto Jamboree Road
2595 ft · 38 sec · Jamboree Road
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23
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 South
1479 ft · 21 sec
-
24
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
5.5 mi · 6 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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25
Keep slight left to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 km · 56 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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26
Merge slight right onto San Diego Freeway
76.5 mi · 1 hr 29 min · San Diego Freeway
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27
Take the exit slight right toward Front Street, Civic Center, 2nd Avenue
1164 ft · 28 sec
-
28
Keep slight right to continue on Front Street, Civic Center
592 ft · 15 sec
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29
Continue on Front Street
2662 ft · 2 min · Front Street
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Front Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between El Monte and San Diego.
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
76.5 mi · 01h 29m
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.
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny leaving El Monte and Partly Sunny near San Diego.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from El Monte to San Diego?
The road trip is about 120.2 miles (193.4 km) and usually takes 01h 53m 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 Clemente is a useful midpoint, sitting about 59.5 miles from El Monte and 60.7 miles from San Diego.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 105.9 miles (170.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.3 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 2:42 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.46 one way or $48.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny around El Monte and Partly Sunny near San Diego.
Stop Ideas Near San Clemente
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
Laguna Niguel City Hall
Doheny State Beach Campground
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to San Clemente.
San Clemente Pier station
San Juan Capistrano
Irvine Transportation Center
Oceanside Transit Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between El Monte and San Diego. Straight-line distance: 105.9 mi (170.43 km).
#1 El Monte
The most populous city in Los Angeles County, California.
| Population | 112,344 |
| Coordinates | 34.0686200, -118.0275700 |
| Altitude | 91 |
| Country | United States |
#2 San Diego
The eighth most populous city in the United States and the center of the San Diego metropolitan area.
| Population | 1,422,420 |
| Coordinates | 32.7157100, -117.1647200 |
| Altitude | 20 |
| Country | United States |
End: Front Street (-117.164717, 32.71571)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 193 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 42m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $24.46 | $48.92 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $25.72 | $51.44 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $26.47 | $52.94 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $32.08 | $64.17 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.