How far is Lakewood, CA from San Diego, CA?
The driving distance from Lakewood, CA to San Diego, CA is about 107.5 miles (173 km), with a travel time of about 01h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 96.5 miles (155.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 22m 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 01h 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 Orange County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lakewood and San Diego.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakewood and San Diego.
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1
Start on Candlewood Street
17 m · 5 sec · Candlewood Street
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2
Turn right onto Clark Avenue
2365 ft · 1 min · Clark Avenue
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3
Turn left onto Del Amo Boulevard
2696 ft · 56 sec · Del Amo Boulevard
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4
Turn right onto Bellflower Boulevard
1 mi · 2 min · Bellflower Boulevard
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5
Turn left onto Carson Street
2674 ft · 55 sec · Carson Street
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6
Turn right onto Woodruff Avenue
2.1 mi · 4 min · Woodruff Avenue
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7
Take the ramp slight left toward I 405 South
909 ft · 24 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
2.3 mi · 3 min · San Diego Freeway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway
2.3 mi · 3 min · San Diego Freeway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway
893 ft · 12 sec · San Diego Freeway
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11
Keep slight left
10.3 mi · 12 min
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on Corona Del Mar Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · Corona Del Mar Freeway
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13
Continue on San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
10.3 mi · 12 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
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14
Take the exit slight right toward La Paz Road, Moulton Parkway
133 m · 6 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on CA 73 South: Moulton Parkway
2519 ft · 33 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on CA 73 South
3218 ft · 42 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
2.5 mi · 3 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
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18
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
67.8 mi · 1 hr 19 min · San Diego Freeway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Front Street, Civic Center, 2nd Avenue
1164 ft · 28 sec
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Front Street, Civic Center
592 ft · 15 sec
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21
Continue on Front Street
2662 ft · 2 min · Front Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Front Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lakewood 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.
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.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Lakewood 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 Lakewood to San Diego?
The road trip is about 107.5 miles (173 km) and usually takes 01h 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?
San Clemente is a useful midpoint, sitting about 53.3 miles from Lakewood and 54.3 miles from San Diego.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 96.5 miles (155.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 11 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 3:08 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.86 one way or $43.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 33.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Lakewood and Mostly Sunny near San Diego.
Stop Ideas Near San Clemente
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Blue Lantern Inn, A Four Sisters Inn
The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
Laguna Niguel City Hall
Doheny State Beach Campground
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to San Clemente.
San Clemente Pier station
San Juan Capistrano
Irvine Transportation Center
Oceanside Transit Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lakewood and San Diego. Straight-line distance: 96.52 mi (155.33 km).
#1 Lakewood
Lakewood is a community in California's Los Angeles County.
| Population | 78,119 |
| Coordinates | 33.8536300, -118.1339600 |
| Altitude | 14 |
| 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: 173 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $21.86 | $43.73 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $22.99 | $45.98 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $23.66 | $47.32 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $28.68 | $57.36 |
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.