How far is Mendota, CA from San Diego, CA?
The driving distance from Mendota, CA to San Diego, CA is about 361.9 miles (582.5 km), with a travel time of about 05h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 333.4 miles (536.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 16m 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 05h 38m.
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.
City in California, United States of America
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 Mendota and San Diego.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mendota and San Diego.
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1
Start on Quince Street
38 m · 11 sec · Quince Street
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2
Turn left onto 7th Street
1833 ft · 1 min · 7th Street
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto Derrick Avenue
21.9 mi · 30 min · Derrick Avenue
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4
Take the ramp left
1144 ft · 28 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
127.4 mi · 2 hr 17 min · Westside Freeway
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6
Keep slight right
58.4 mi · 1 hr 7 min
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Golden State Freeway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 405 South
1354 ft · 18 sec
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9
Keep slight left
24.7 mi · 29 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Golden State Freeway
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11
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
25.7 mi · 30 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1241 ft · 16 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
1.3 km · 57 sec
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14
Keep slight left
788 ft · 10 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South
981 ft · 13 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 km · 54 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.2 km · 52 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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18
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Newport Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min
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20
Turn right onto Newport Avenue
1943 ft · 44 sec · Newport Avenue
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21
Turn left onto Walnut Avenue
2.2 mi · 4 min · Walnut Avenue
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22
Turn left onto Jamboree Road
2595 ft · 38 sec · Jamboree Road
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23
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 South
1479 ft · 21 sec
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24
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
5.5 mi · 6 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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25
Keep slight left to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 km · 56 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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26
Merge slight right onto San Diego Freeway
76.5 mi · 1 hr 29 min · San Diego Freeway
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27
Take the exit slight right toward Front Street, Civic Center, 2nd Avenue
1164 ft · 28 sec
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28
Keep slight right to continue on Front Street, Civic Center
592 ft · 15 sec
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29
Continue on Front Street
2662 ft · 2 min · Front Street
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Front Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mendota and San Diego.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Westside Freeway
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
127 mi · 02h 17m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Mendota 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 Mendota to San Diego?
The road trip is about 361.9 miles (582.5 km) and usually takes 05h 38m 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?
Lebec is a useful midpoint, sitting about 178.1 miles from Mendota and 183.8 miles from San Diego.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 333.4 miles (536.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.5 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 5:44 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $73.67 one way or $147.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 113.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Mendota and Mostly Sunny near San Diego.
Stop Ideas Near Lebec
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 Lebec.
Fillmore, California
Tehachapi, California
Santa Paula, California
Santa Clarita-Newhall, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Mendota and San Diego. Straight-line distance: 333.41 mi (536.57 km).
#1 Mendota
City in Illinois, United States
| Population | 12,427 |
| Coordinates | 36.7535600, -120.3815600 |
| Altitude | 53 |
| 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: 583 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 12h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $73.67 | $147.34 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $77.46 | $154.93 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $79.72 | $159.45 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $96.63 | $193.26 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.