How far is Lake Los Angeles, CA from Chula Vista, CA?
The driving distance from Lake Los Angeles, CA to Chula Vista, CA is about 170.3 miles (274 km), with a travel time of about 03h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 142.9 miles (229.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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 03h 03m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Riverside County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Los Angeles and Chula Vista.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Los Angeles and Chula Vista.
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1
Start on 169th Street East
3 m · 6 sec · 169th Street East
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2
Turn left onto Park Valley Avenue
97 m · 16 sec · Park Valley Avenue
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3
Turn right onto 170th Street East
5.1 mi · 7 min · 170th Street East
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4
Continue on 165th Street East
2.5 mi · 4 min · 165th Street East
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5
Turn left onto Pearblossom Highway
5.7 mi · 8 min · Pearblossom Highway
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6
Continue on Antelope Highway
20.5 mi · 28 min · Antelope Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right
1656 ft · 41 sec
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8
Continue on Barstow and Mojave Freeway
6.3 mi · 7 min · Barstow and Mojave Freeway
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9
Continue on Barstow Freeway
1095 ft · 13 sec · Barstow Freeway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Barstow Freeway
9.3 mi · 10 min · Barstow Freeway
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11
Continue on San Bernardino Freeway
5.6 mi · 6 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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12
Continue on Riverside Freeway
5.3 mi · 6 min · Riverside Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 215 South, CA 60 East: San Diego, Indio
5.1 mi · 6 min
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14
Keep slight right to continue on I 215, CA 60 Truck
2512 ft · 33 sec
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15
Keep slight right
36.3 mi · 41 min
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16
Continue on Avocado Highway
21.9 mi · 24 min · Avocado Highway
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17
Continue on Escondido Freeway
3.4 mi · 4 min · Escondido Freeway
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18
Keep slight right to continue on Escondido Freeway
8.7 mi · 10 min · Escondido Freeway
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19
Continue on Tony Gwynn Memorial Freeway
4.5 mi · 5 min · Tony Gwynn Memorial Freeway
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20
Continue on Escondido Freeway
3.1 mi · 4 min · Escondido Freeway
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21
Continue on Semper Fi Highway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Semper Fi Highway
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22
Continue on Escondido Freeway
12 mi · 14 min · Escondido Freeway
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23
Take the exit slight left toward I 5 South: National City, Chula Vista
1.3 km · 2 min
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24
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South: National City, Chula Vista
836 ft · 20 sec
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25
Merge slight left onto John J. Montgomery Freeway
1.8 mi · 2 min · John J. Montgomery Freeway
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26
Take the exit slight right toward Mile of Cars Way, Bay Marina Drive
983 ft · 26 sec
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27
Turn left onto Mile of Cars Way
2327 ft · 1 min · Mile of Cars Way
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28
Turn right onto National City Boulevard
1.6 km · 2 min · National City Boulevard
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29
Continue on Broadway
1.2 km · 1 min · Broadway
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30
Turn left onto F Street
2581 ft · 53 sec · F Street
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · F Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Los Angeles and Chula Vista.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 215
Keep slight right
36.3 mi · 00h 41m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Lake Los Angeles and Mostly Sunny near Chula Vista.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake Los Angeles to Chula Vista?
The road trip is about 170.3 miles (274 km) and usually takes 03h 03m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Romoland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 82.3 miles from Lake Los Angeles and 88 miles from Chula Vista.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 142.9 miles (229.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:54 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.67 one way or $69.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lake Los Angeles and Mostly Sunny near Chula Vista.
Stop Ideas Near Romoland
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Best Western Plus Diamond Valley Inn
Summerly Community Park - City of Lake Elsinore
H&R Block
City of Lake Elsinore
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Romoland.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Los Angeles and Chula Vista. Straight-line distance: 142.84 mi (229.88 km).
#1 Lake Los Angeles
Census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California, United States
| Population | 12,328 |
| Coordinates | 34.6124900, -117.8281200 |
| Altitude | 811 |
| 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: 274 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $34.67 | $69.34 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $36.46 | $72.91 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $37.52 | $75.04 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $45.48 | $90.96 |
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.