How far is Irvine, CA from San Carlos, CA?
The driving distance from Irvine, CA to San Carlos, CA is about 408.2 miles (656.9 km), with a travel time of about 07h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 363.9 miles (585.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 15h 22m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM PDT.
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 41m.
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.
Census-designated place in Kings County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Irvine and San Carlos.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Irvine and San Carlos.
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1
Start on San Diego Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · San Diego Freeway
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2
Take the exit slight right toward University Drive, Jeffrey Road
1456 ft · 21 sec
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3
Turn left onto Jeffrey Road
951 ft · 22 sec · Jeffrey Road
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 405 North: Los Angeles
1228 ft · 18 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
4.2 mi · 5 min · San Diego Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward CA 55 South, CA 55 North: Freeway
1254 ft · 16 sec
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7
Keep slight right to continue on CA 55 North
2685 ft · 35 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Costa Mesa Freeway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Costa Mesa Freeway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Costa Mesa Freeway
2136 ft · 28 sec · Costa Mesa Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 North: Santa Ana
1.1 km · 47 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
2756 ft · 36 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.7 mi · 2 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
9.4 mi · 11 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
18 mi · 21 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Golden State Freeway
25.5 mi · 30 min · Golden State Freeway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Golden State Freeway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
1.5 mi · 2 min
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18
Keep slight left
36.1 mi · 42 min
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19
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
22.3 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Westside Freeway
182.5 mi · 3 hr 16 min · Westside Freeway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward CA 152 West: Gilroy, Hollister, San Jose
1038 ft · 27 sec
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22
Continue straight
28.7 mi · 33 min
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23
Keep slight right
11.9 mi · 17 min
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24
Take the exit slight right toward US 101 North: San Jose
2466 ft · 1 min
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25
Merge slight left onto South Valley Freeway
19.9 mi · 23 min · South Valley Freeway
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26
Keep slight left
21.9 mi · 25 min
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27
Keep slight left
12.8 mi · 15 min
-
28
Take the exit slight right toward Holly Street
782 ft · 19 sec
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29
Keep slight left to continue on Holly Street
1085 ft · 26 sec
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30
Keep slight right to continue on Holly Street
769 ft · 19 sec
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31
Turn straight onto Holly Street
2714 ft · 1 min · Holly Street
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32
Turn left onto El Camino Real
681 ft · 26 sec · El Camino Real
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33
Turn right onto San Carlos Avenue
19 m · 1 sec · San Carlos Avenue
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · San Carlos Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Irvine and San Carlos.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Westside Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on Westside Freeway
183 mi · 03h 16m
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 Irvine and Sunny near San Carlos.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Irvine to San Carlos?
The road trip is about 408.2 miles (656.9 km) and usually takes 07h 41m 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?
Kettleman City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 204.1 miles from Irvine and 204.1 miles from San Carlos.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 363.9 miles (585.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.3 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 $83.07 one way or $166.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 128 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Irvine and Sunny near San Carlos.
Stop Ideas Near Kettleman City
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 Kettleman City.
Kettleman City, California
Lemoore, California
Corcoran station
Lemoore (Naval Air Station), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Irvine and San Carlos. Straight-line distance: 363.87 mi (585.6 km).
#1 Irvine
A city located in Orange County, California.
| Population | 283,700 |
| Coordinates | 33.6694600, -117.8231100 |
| Altitude | 17 |
| Country | United States |
#2 San Carlos
City in San Mateo County, California, USA
| Population | 29,641 |
| Coordinates | 37.5071600, -122.2605200 |
| Altitude | 10 |
| Country | United States |
End: San Carlos (-122.26052, 37.50716)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 657 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 13h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 10h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 08h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $83.07 | $166.15 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $87.35 | $174.70 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $89.90 | $179.80 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $108.96 | $217.93 |
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 14, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.