How far is La Quinta, CA from San Diego, CA?
The driving distance from La Quinta, CA to San Diego, CA is about 133.4 miles (214.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 82 miles (132 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 23m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 41m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
The most populous city in southwestern Riverside County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between La Quinta and San Diego.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Quinta and San Diego.
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1
Start on Calle Chihuahua
584 ft · 26 sec · Calle Chihuahua
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2
Turn left onto Eisenhower Drive
1 km · 1 min · Eisenhower Drive
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Eisenhower Drive
31 m · 3 sec · Eisenhower Drive
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4
Exit the roundabout onto Eisenhower Drive
1230 ft · 30 sec · Eisenhower Drive
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Eisenhower Drive
44 m · 4 sec · Eisenhower Drive
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6
Exit the roundabout onto Eisenhower Drive
552 ft · 16 sec · Eisenhower Drive
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7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Eisenhower Drive
33 m · 3 sec · Eisenhower Drive
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8
Exit the roundabout onto Eisenhower Drive
1.8 mi · 3 min · Eisenhower Drive
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9
Turn left onto Washington Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · Washington Street
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10
Turn left onto Deputy Bruce Lee Memorial Highway
1862 ft · 35 sec · Deputy Bruce Lee Memorial Highway
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11
Continue on East Palm Canyon Drive
5.3 mi · 9 min · East Palm Canyon Drive
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12
Turn left onto Pines To Palms Highway
24.2 mi · 33 min · Pines To Palms Highway
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13
Turn left onto Kenworthy Bautista Road
4.3 mi · 6 min · Kenworthy Bautista Road
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14
Continue on Cahuilla Road
16.3 mi · 24 min · Cahuilla Road
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15
At the end of the road, turn right
14 mi · 20 min
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16
Continue on Temecula Parkway
3.9 mi · 6 min · Temecula Parkway
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17
Take the ramp left toward I 15 South: San Diego
2352 ft · 59 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto Escondido Freeway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Escondido Freeway
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19
Continue on Avocado Highway
21.9 mi · 24 min · Avocado Highway
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20
Continue on Escondido Freeway
3.4 mi · 4 min · Escondido Freeway
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21
Keep slight right to continue on Escondido Freeway
8.7 mi · 10 min · Escondido Freeway
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22
Continue on Tony Gwynn Memorial Freeway
4.5 mi · 5 min · Tony Gwynn Memorial Freeway
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23
Continue on Escondido Freeway
3.1 mi · 4 min · Escondido Freeway
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24
Continue on Semper Fi Highway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Semper Fi Highway
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25
Take the exit slight right toward CA 163 South
1.2 km · 52 sec
-
26
Continue on Cabrillo Freeway
8.2 mi · 9 min · Cabrillo Freeway
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27
Continue on Cabrillo Parkway
1.5 mi · 2 min · Cabrillo Parkway
-
28
Continue on Cabrillo Parkway
1.3 km · 1 min · Cabrillo Parkway
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29
Continue on 10th Avenue
1507 ft · 42 sec · 10th Avenue
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30
Turn right onto Broadway
2811 ft · 1 min · Broadway
-
31
Turn left onto Front Street
8 m · 1 sec · Front Street
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Front Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between La Quinta and San Diego.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Pines To Palms Highway
Turn left onto Pines To Palms Highway
24.2 mi · 00h 33m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving La Quinta and Mostly 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 Quinta to San Diego?
The road trip is about 133.4 miles (214.7 km) and usually takes 02h 41m 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?
Temecula is a useful midpoint, sitting about 65.2 miles from La Quinta and 68.2 miles from San Diego.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 82 miles (132 km), while the road route adds roughly 51.4 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 1:06 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.17 one way or $54.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around La Quinta and Mostly Sunny near San Diego.
Stop Ideas Near Temecula
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 Temecula.
Sun City, California
Hemet (West Florida Ave), California
Hemet (Devonshire Ave), California
Perris, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between La Quinta and San Diego. Straight-line distance: 82.03 mi (132.02 km).
#1 La Quinta
Town in Riverside County, California, United States
| Population | 23,694 |
| Coordinates | 33.6633600, -116.3100100 |
| Altitude | 41 |
| 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: 215 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 54m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $27.17 | $54.34 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $28.57 | $57.14 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $29.40 | $58.81 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $35.64 | $71.28 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.