How far is La Jolla, CA from San Diego, CA?
The driving distance from La Jolla, CA to San Diego, CA is about 12.7 miles (20.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 11.1 miles (17.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 38m 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 19m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in San Diego County, California, United States
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 La Jolla and San Diego.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Jolla and San Diego.
-
1
Start on the route
77 m · 20 sec
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto Herschel Avenue
48 m · 8 sec · Herschel Avenue
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3
Turn right onto Prospect Street
1228 ft · 25 sec · Prospect Street
-
4
Continue on Prospect Place
1044 ft · 29 sec · Prospect Place
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5
Turn left onto Torrey Pines Road
1.6 km · 2 min · Torrey Pines Road
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6
Continue on La Jolla Parkway
1.2 mi · 1 min · La Jolla Parkway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 South: Downtown
2291 ft · 30 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
8.7 mi · 10 min · San Diego Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward Front Street, Civic Center, 2nd Avenue
1164 ft · 28 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Front Street, Civic Center
592 ft · 15 sec
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11
Continue on Front Street
2662 ft · 2 min · Front Street
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Front Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between La Jolla and San Diego.
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.
San Diego Freeway
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
8.72 mi · 00h 10m
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 La Jolla and Sunny near San Diego.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from La Jolla to San Diego?
The road trip is about 12.7 miles (20.4 km) and usually takes 00h 19m 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?
Coronado is a useful midpoint, sitting about 6.3 miles from La Jolla and 6.3 miles from San Diego.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 11.1 miles (17.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 1.6 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 7:52 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.82 one way or $5.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around La Jolla and Sunny near San Diego.
Stop Ideas Near Coronado
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
El Primero Boutique Hotel
Crown City Inn
L'Auberge Del Mar
San Diego County Administration Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Coronado.
Santa Fe Depot
Old Town Transit Center
Sorrento Valley station
Solana Beach
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between La Jolla and San Diego. Straight-line distance: 11.09 mi (17.85 km).
#1 La Jolla
Located along the Pacific coastline in San Diego County, this hilly community sits at a mean elevation of approximately 105 feet and features rugged ocean bluffs alongside sandy beaches.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 32.8472700, -117.2742000 |
| Altitude | 32 |
| 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: 20 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $2.82 | $5.63 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $2.92 | $5.85 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $3.01 | $6.02 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $3.79 | $7.57 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026