How far is Imperial Beach, CA from Chula Vista, CA?
The driving distance from Imperial Beach, CA to Chula Vista, CA is about 6.3 miles (10.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 4.2 miles (6.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 24m 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 12m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Imperial Beach and Chula Vista.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Imperial Beach and Chula Vista.
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1
Start on Palm Avenue
114 m · 16 sec · Palm Avenue
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2
Continue on Palm Avenue
1.3 mi · 3 min · Palm Avenue
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3
Take the exit straight toward I 5: San Diego
117 m · 9 sec
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4
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 North: San Diego
2667 ft · 1 min
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5
Merge slight left onto John J. Montgomery Freeway
2.6 mi · 3 min · John J. Montgomery Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward H Street
1097 ft · 31 sec
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7
Turn right onto H Street
1982 ft · 45 sec · H Street
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8
Turn left onto Broadway
2651 ft · 51 sec · Broadway
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9
Turn right onto F Street
2581 ft · 53 sec · F Street
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10
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · F Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Imperial Beach and Chula Vista.
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.
John J. Montgomery Freeway
Merge slight left onto John J. Montgomery Freeway
2.63 mi · 00h 03m
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 Imperial Beach and Sunny near Chula Vista.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Imperial Beach to Chula Vista?
The road trip is about 6.3 miles (10.2 km) and usually takes 00h 12m 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?
Bonita is a useful midpoint, sitting about 3.1 miles from Imperial Beach and 3.2 miles from Chula Vista.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 4.2 miles (6.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.1 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 8:06 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.27 one way or $2.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Imperial Beach and Sunny near Chula Vista.
Stop Ideas Near Bonita
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
El Primero Boutique Hotel
Crown City Inn
Coronado Beach Resort
San Diego County Administration Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Bonita.
Santa Fe Depot
Old Town Transit Center
Sorrento Valley station
Solana Beach
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Imperial Beach and Chula Vista. Straight-line distance: 4.23 mi (6.8 km).
#1 Imperial Beach
City in California, USA
| Population | 27,325 |
| Coordinates | 32.5839400, -117.1130800 |
| Altitude | 6 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: F Street (-117.084196, 32.640039)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 10 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $1.27 | $2.54 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $1.33 | $2.67 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $1.37 | $2.75 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $1.66 | $3.33 |
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 · Apr 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.