How far is Fairbanks Ranch, CA from San Diego, CA?
The driving distance from Fairbanks Ranch, CA to San Diego, CA is about 24.7 miles (39.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 19.3 miles (31 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 05m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 32m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fairbanks Ranch and San Diego.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairbanks Ranch and San Diego.
-
1
Start on Circa del Sur
979 ft · 50 sec · Circa del Sur
-
2
At the end of the road, turn left onto San Dieguito Road
3.7 mi · 6 min · San Dieguito Road
-
3
At the end of the road, turn left onto El Camino Real
1.9 mi · 3 min · El Camino Real
-
4
Turn right onto Del Mar Heights Road
1 km · 1 min · Del Mar Heights Road
-
5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 5 South
1460 ft · 38 sec
-
6
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
17.1 mi · 20 min · San Diego Freeway
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward Front Street, Civic Center, 2nd Avenue
1164 ft · 28 sec
-
8
Keep slight right to continue on Front Street, Civic Center
592 ft · 15 sec
-
9
Continue on Front Street
2662 ft · 2 min · Front Street
-
10
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Front Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fairbanks Ranch and San Diego.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
San Diego Freeway
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
17.1 mi · 00h 20m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Fairbanks Ranch and Sunny near San Diego.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fairbanks Ranch to San Diego?
The road trip is about 24.7 miles (39.8 km) and usually takes 00h 32m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Del Mar is a useful midpoint, sitting about 12.3 miles from Fairbanks Ranch and 12.4 miles from San Diego.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 19.3 miles (31 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.4 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:24 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.45 one way or $10.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Fairbanks Ranch and Sunny near San Diego.
Stop Ideas Near Del Mar
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
1906 Lodge
Crown City Inn
Hotel del Coronado, Curio Collection by Hilton
San Diego County Administration Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Del Mar.
Solana Beach
Sorrento Valley station
Encinitas, CA
Carlsbad Poinsettia, CA
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fairbanks Ranch and San Diego. Straight-line distance: 19.27 mi (31.01 km).
#1 Fairbanks Ranch
Situated inland in San Diego County at an elevation of approximately 161 feet, this census-designated place occupies rolling terrain in Southern California.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 32.9939300, -117.1872600 |
| Altitude | 49 |
| 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: 40 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $5.45 | $10.89 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $5.65 | $11.31 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $5.82 | $11.64 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $7.32 | $14.64 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026