How far is Inglewood, CA from San Diego, CA?

Fastest route

The route from Inglewood, California to San Diego, California is approximately 125 miles and takes about 1 hour and 44 minutes via I-405 S and I-5 S. The route has tolls.

Directions

To get from Inglewood to San Diego, follow these steps:

  1. Get on I-405 S: Head west on Manchester Ave toward S La Brea Ave. Pass by 7-Eleven (on the right in 0.5 mi). Turn left onto La Cienega Blvd. Turn left to merge onto I-405 S.

  2. Continue on I-405 S: Stay on I-405 S.

  3. Take CA-73 S and I-5 S: Use the right 3 lanes to take the exit toward CA-73 S (this section of the road has tolls). Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 17 for Front St toward Civic Ctr. Keep left at the fork, follow signs for 2nd Ave.

  4. Drive to Fourth Ave: Turn right onto Fourth Ave.

Tips & Suggestions

  • 🛣️ Make sure to check the current traffic conditions before you start your journey to account for any delays or congestion.
  • 💰 Keep in mind that this route has tolls, so make sure you have the necessary payment method or alternative route planned.
  • 📍 Follow the signs for I-405 S and I-5 S to stay on the correct highways.
  • 🚗 Stay alert and follow the road signs for exits and merges to ensure you stay on the correct path.
  • ⏱️ Consider using a navigation app or GPS device to help guide you along the way.
  • 📞 Have important contact numbers handy, such as roadside assistance or emergency services, in case you encounter any issues during your journey.
  • 📝 It's always a good idea to have a printed or digital copy of these directions with you for easy reference during the trip.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
124.51 mi
01h 55m
Flight
110.08 mi
177.15 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Inglewood.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
110.08 mi
Kilometers
177.15 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
124.51 mi
Kilometers
200.38 km
Drive Time
01h 55m

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 55m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in San Diego
Thu, Apr 16, 7:44 PM PDT
Return by in Inglewood
Thu, Apr 16, 9:40 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Inglewood
2026-04-16T17:48
Arrive San Diego
Thu, Apr 16, 7:44 PM PDT
Route Timing
01h 55m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:56 AM to 11:56 AM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:38 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Inglewood
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
San Clemente
CA

The most populous city in Orange County, California.

From Inglewood
61.6 mi
00h 58m
To San Diego
62.9 mi
00h 58m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
70°F
Thursday

Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S
Destination
70°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 15 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Inglewood and San Diego.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Inglewood and San Diego.

  1. 1

    Start on East Manchester Boulevard

    19 m · 8 sec · East Manchester Boulevard

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South La Brea Avenue

    1878 ft · 40 sec · South La Brea Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto South La Brea Avenue

    1.3 km · 1 min · South La Brea Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue on Hawthorne Boulevard

    4.2 mi · 7 min · Hawthorne Boulevard

  5. 5

    Take the ramp right toward I 405 South: Long Beach

    723 ft · 20 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway

    18.3 mi · 21 min · San Diego Freeway

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway

    2.3 mi · 3 min · San Diego Freeway

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway

    893 ft · 12 sec · San Diego Freeway

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    10.3 mi · 12 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on Corona Del Mar Freeway

    4 mi · 5 min · Corona Del Mar Freeway

  11. 11

    Continue on San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

    10.3 mi · 12 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward La Paz Road, Moulton Parkway

    133 m · 6 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on CA 73 South: Moulton Parkway

    2519 ft · 33 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on CA 73 South

    3218 ft · 42 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

    2.5 mi · 3 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway

    67.8 mi · 1 hr 19 min · San Diego Freeway

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward Front Street, Civic Center, 2nd Avenue

    1164 ft · 28 sec

  18. 18

    Keep slight right to continue on Front Street, Civic Center

    592 ft · 15 sec

  19. 19

    Continue on Front Street

    2662 ft · 2 min · Front Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Front Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Inglewood and San Diego.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
20 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
San Diego Freeway
98.8 mi · 79%
San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
12.8 mi · 10%
Hawthorne Boulevard
4.22 mi · 3%
Corona Del Mar Freeway
4 mi · 3%
South La Brea Avenue
1.15 mi · 1%
CA 73 South
1.09 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

San Diego Freeway

Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway

67.8 mi · 01h 19m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 55m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14.5 mi
110 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
San Clemente
00h 58m from Inglewood
Leave By
2:38 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny leaving Inglewood 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 Inglewood to San Diego?

The road trip is about 124.5 miles (200.4 km) and usually takes 01h 55m 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 61.6 miles from Inglewood and 62.9 miles from San Diego.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 110 miles (177.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.5 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 2:38 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.33 one way or $50.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny around Inglewood 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.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around San Clemente and the surrounding midpoint area.
Blue Lantern Inn, A Four Sisters Inn
Coffee break 3.4 mi away

Blue Lantern Inn, A Four Sisters Inn

Dana Point , CA
34343 Street of the Blue Lantern, Dana Point, CA 92629, United States
Rating 4.7/5 233 reviews Hotel,Bed & breakfast,Lodge
The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
Stay option 4.4 mi away

The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel

Dana Point , CA
One Ritz Carlton Dr, Dana Point, CA 92629, United States
Rating 4.6/5 2,544 reviews Hotel,Meeting planning service,Wedding venue
City of Lake Forest
Practical stop 14 mi away

City of Lake Forest

San Clemente
Rating 4.8/5 12 reviews Government office,Service establishment
Laguna Niguel City Hall
Meeting point 6.2 mi away

Laguna Niguel City Hall

Laguna Niguel , CA
30111 Crown Valley Pkwy, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677, United States
Rating 4.4/5 7 reviews City or town hall,City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to San Clemente.

RAIL

San Clemente Pier station

1 mi away
Avenida del Mar and Avenida Victoria
RAIL

San Juan Capistrano

10 mi away
26701 Verdugo Street
RAIL

Irvine Transportation Center

31 mi away
15215 Barranca Parkway
RAIL

Oceanside Transit Center

34 mi away
235 South Tremont Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Inglewood and San Diego. Straight-line distance: 110.08 mi (177.15 km).

Inglewood

#1 Inglewood

The most populous city in Los Angeles County, California.

Population107,203
Coordinates33.9616800, -118.3531300
Altitude40
CountryUnited States
San Diego

#2 San Diego

The eighth most populous city in the United States and the center of the San Diego metropolitan area.

Population1,422,420
Coordinates32.7157100, -117.1647200
Altitude20
CountryUnited States
Start: East Manchester Boulevard (-118.35313, 33.961775)
End: Front Street (-117.164717, 32.71571)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 200 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 08m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 06m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 29m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 04m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 46m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.39 gal
16.63 L · about $25.33
Round trip
$50.65
8.78 gal · 33.26 L
Estimated CO2
39 kg one way
Round trip: 78 kg / 172 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $25.33 $50.65
Mid-grade $6.07 $26.63 $53.26
Premium $6.24 $27.41 $54.81
Diesel $7.57 $33.22 $66.44

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

There is no time difference between Inglewood and San Diego. The current time is 17:48:46.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.