How far is Fullerton, CA from San Diego, CA?
The driving distance from Fullerton, CA to San Diego, CA is about 99.5 miles (160.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 91.1 miles (146.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 12m 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 36m.
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fullerton and San Diego.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fullerton and San Diego.
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1
Start on West Commonwealth Avenue
95 m · 13 sec · West Commonwealth Avenue
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2
Turn right onto South Harbor Boulevard
1.2 mi · 2 min · South Harbor Boulevard
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3
Turn left onto CA 91 East: Riverside Freeway, Anaheim Boulevard, Lemon Street
1380 ft · 33 sec
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4
Continue on CA 91 East
1793 ft · 48 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Riverside Freeway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Riverside Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward CA 57 North, CA 57 South: Pomona, Santa Ana
940 ft · 23 sec
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7
Keep slight right to continue on CA 57 South: Santa Ana
1998 ft · 49 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Orange Freeway
4.4 mi · 5 min · Orange Freeway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South: Santa Ana
1.1 mi · 1 min
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10
Keep slight left
788 ft · 10 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South
981 ft · 13 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 km · 54 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.2 km · 52 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Newport Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min
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16
Turn right onto Newport Avenue
1943 ft · 44 sec · Newport Avenue
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17
Turn left onto Walnut Avenue
2.2 mi · 4 min · Walnut Avenue
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18
Turn left onto Jamboree Road
2595 ft · 38 sec · Jamboree Road
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19
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 South
1479 ft · 21 sec
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20
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
5.5 mi · 6 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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21
Keep slight left to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 km · 56 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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22
Merge slight right onto San Diego Freeway
76.5 mi · 1 hr 29 min · San Diego Freeway
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23
Take the exit slight right toward Front Street, Civic Center, 2nd Avenue
1164 ft · 28 sec
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24
Keep slight right to continue on Front Street, Civic Center
592 ft · 15 sec
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25
Continue on Front Street
2662 ft · 2 min · Front Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Front Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fullerton 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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Fullerton and Slight Chance Rain Showers near San Diego.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fullerton to San Diego?
The road trip is about 99.5 miles (160.2 km) and usually takes 01h 36m 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 50.3 miles from Fullerton and 49.3 miles from San Diego.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 91.1 miles (146.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:18 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.25 one way or $40.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Fullerton and Slight Chance Rain Showers 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
Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa
CITY HALL, City of San Juan Capistrano
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 Fullerton and San Diego. Straight-line distance: 91.07 mi (146.56 km).
#1 Fullerton
The eighth most populous city in Orange County, California.
| Population | 139,921 |
| Coordinates | 33.8702900, -117.9253400 |
| Altitude | 50 |
| 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: 160 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $20.25 | $40.50 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $21.29 | $42.58 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $21.91 | $43.83 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $26.56 | $53.12 |
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 04, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.