How far is Hayward, CA from San Diego, CA?
Fastest route
The distance from Hayward, California, to San Diego, California is approximately 477 miles (768 kilometers). The estimated travel time is 7 hours and 23 minutes via I-5 S. Here are some tips and directions to help you navigate the route.
Directions
- Get on I-580 E in Castro Valley from Foothill Blvd, A St, and Redwood Rd.
- Head southwest toward Mission Blvd, then turn right onto Mission Blvd.
- Continue onto Foothill Blvd and pass by Wells Fargo Bank (on the left).
- Turn right to merge onto I-580 E toward Stockton.
- Keep left to stay on I-580 E, following signs for Interstate 580/Interstate 5 S/Fresno/Los Angeles.
- Keep left to stay on I-5 S, following signs for CA-60 E/Interstate 5 S/Soto St/Santa Ana.
- Use the right 3 lanes to take the I-5 S exit toward Downtown.
- Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 17 for Front St toward Civic Ctr.
- Keep left at the fork and follow signs for 2nd Ave.
- Drive to Fourth Ave and turn right onto Fourth Ave.
Tips & Suggestions
- 🚗 Plan your journey and departure time to avoid heavy traffic.
- 🛣️ Keep your GPS or map application handy to stay on track.
- ⛽ Make sure to fill up your gas tank before hitting the road.
- 🍴 Pack some snacks and water for the journey to stay refreshed.
- 🚦 Observe speed limits and traffic regulations for a safe trip.
- 🚙 Take breaks during the long drive to stretch and rest.
- 📱 Notify someone about your travel plans for safety purposes.
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 07h 31m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Place in Kern County California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Hayward and San Diego.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hayward and San Diego.
-
1
Start on Mission Boulevard
71 m · 9 sec · Mission Boulevard
-
2
Turn right
55 m · 15 sec
-
3
Turn slight right onto Jackson Street
73 m · 7 sec · Jackson Street
-
4
Continue on Foothill Boulevard
2503 ft · 1 min · Foothill Boulevard
-
5
Turn right onto A Street
1.2 km · 1 min · A Street
-
6
Continue on Redwood Road
2669 ft · 59 sec · Redwood Road
-
7
Take the ramp right toward I 580 East: Stockton
1451 ft · 37 sec
-
8
Merge slight left onto Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
10.4 mi · 12 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
17.8 mi · 21 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on William Elton Brown Freeway
11.1 mi · 12 min · William Elton Brown Freeway
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on William Elton Brown Freeway
5.9 mi · 6 min · William Elton Brown Freeway
-
12
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
224.4 mi · 4 hr · Westside Freeway
-
13
Keep slight right
58.4 mi · 1 hr 7 min
-
14
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Golden State Freeway
-
15
Keep slight right to continue on I 405 South
1354 ft · 18 sec
-
16
Keep slight left
24.7 mi · 29 min
-
17
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Golden State Freeway
-
18
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
25.7 mi · 30 min · Santa Ana Freeway
-
19
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1241 ft · 16 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
-
20
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
1.3 km · 57 sec
-
21
Keep slight left
788 ft · 10 sec
-
22
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South
981 ft · 13 sec
-
23
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 km · 54 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
-
24
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.2 km · 52 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
-
25
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway
-
26
Take the exit slight right toward Newport Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min
-
27
Turn right onto Newport Avenue
1943 ft · 44 sec · Newport Avenue
-
28
Turn left onto Walnut Avenue
2.2 mi · 4 min · Walnut Avenue
-
29
Turn left onto Jamboree Road
2595 ft · 38 sec · Jamboree Road
-
30
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 South
1479 ft · 21 sec
-
31
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
5.5 mi · 6 min · Santa Ana Freeway
-
32
Keep slight left to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 km · 56 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
-
33
Merge slight right onto San Diego Freeway
76.5 mi · 1 hr 29 min · San Diego Freeway
-
34
Take the exit slight right toward Front Street, Civic Center, 2nd Avenue
1164 ft · 28 sec
-
35
Keep slight right to continue on Front Street, Civic Center
592 ft · 15 sec
-
36
Continue on Front Street
2662 ft · 2 min · Front Street
-
37
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Front Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Hayward and San Diego.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Westside Freeway
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
224 mi · 04h 00m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Sunny leaving Hayward 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 Hayward to San Diego?
The road trip is about 484.2 miles (779.2 km) and usually takes 07h 31m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Buttonwillow is a useful midpoint, sitting about 239 miles from Hayward and 245.1 miles from San Diego.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 440.5 miles (708.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.7 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 7:30 AM PDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $98.59 one way or $197.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 151.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Hayward and Partly Sunny near San Diego.
Stop Ideas Near Buttonwillow
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 Buttonwillow.
Wasco station
Bakersfield
Corcoran station
Kettleman City, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Hayward and San Diego. Straight-line distance: 440.5 mi (708.91 km).
#1 Hayward
The seventh most populous city in Alameda County, California.
| Population | 157,966 |
| Coordinates | 37.6688200, -122.0808000 |
| Altitude | 34 |
| 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: 779 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 16h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 12h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 09h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 08h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 06h 55m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 06h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $98.59 | $197.18 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $103.67 | $207.34 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $106.69 | $213.39 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $129.32 | $258.64 |
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 · 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.