How far is Mojave, CA from San Diego, CA?
The driving distance from Mojave, CA to San Diego, CA is about 213.9 miles (344.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 171.5 miles (276 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 32m 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 46m.
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 San Bernardino County, California, United States
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 Mojave and San Diego.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mojave and San Diego.
-
1
Start on Sierra Highway
3.7 mi · 5 min · Sierra Highway
-
2
Continue on Aerospace Highway
15.7 mi · 17 min · Aerospace Highway
-
3
Continue on Antelope Valley Freeway
13.7 mi · 15 min · Antelope Valley Freeway
-
4
Take the exit slight right toward CA 138 East: Palmdale Boulevard
1056 ft · 30 sec
-
5
Keep slight left to continue on CA 138 East: Palmdale Boulevard
59 m · 10 sec
-
6
Turn left onto West Palmdale Boulevard
1.1 mi · 1 min · West Palmdale Boulevard
-
7
Take the exit slight right
125 m · 11 sec
-
8
Merge slight left onto Sierra Highway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Sierra Highway
-
9
Turn left onto East Avenue S
3.9 mi · 6 min · East Avenue S
-
10
Turn right onto 47th Street East
1595 ft · 27 sec · 47th Street East
-
11
Continue on Fort Tejon Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Fort Tejon Road
-
12
Continue on Pearblossom Highway
18 mi · 26 min · Pearblossom Highway
-
13
Continue on Antelope Highway
20.5 mi · 28 min · Antelope Highway
-
14
Take the exit slight right
1656 ft · 41 sec
-
15
Continue on Barstow and Mojave Freeway
6.3 mi · 7 min · Barstow and Mojave Freeway
-
16
Continue on Barstow Freeway
1095 ft · 13 sec · Barstow Freeway
-
17
Keep slight left to continue on Barstow Freeway
9.3 mi · 10 min · Barstow Freeway
-
18
Continue on San Bernardino Freeway
5.6 mi · 6 min · San Bernardino Freeway
-
19
Continue on Riverside Freeway
5.3 mi · 6 min · Riverside Freeway
-
20
Take the exit slight right toward I 215 South, CA 60 East: San Diego, Indio
5.1 mi · 6 min
-
21
Keep slight right to continue on I 215, CA 60 Truck
2512 ft · 33 sec
-
22
Keep slight right
36.3 mi · 41 min
-
23
Continue on Avocado Highway
21.9 mi · 24 min · Avocado Highway
-
24
Continue on Escondido Freeway
3.4 mi · 4 min · Escondido Freeway
-
25
Keep slight right to continue on Escondido Freeway
8.7 mi · 10 min · Escondido Freeway
-
26
Continue on Tony Gwynn Memorial Freeway
4.5 mi · 5 min · Tony Gwynn Memorial Freeway
-
27
Continue on Escondido Freeway
3.1 mi · 4 min · Escondido Freeway
-
28
Continue on Semper Fi Highway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Semper Fi Highway
-
29
Take the exit slight right toward CA 163 South
1.2 km · 52 sec
-
30
Continue on Cabrillo Freeway
8.2 mi · 9 min · Cabrillo Freeway
-
31
Continue on Cabrillo Parkway
1.5 mi · 2 min · Cabrillo Parkway
-
32
Continue on Cabrillo Parkway
1.3 km · 1 min · Cabrillo Parkway
-
33
Continue on 10th Avenue
1507 ft · 42 sec · 10th Avenue
-
34
Turn right onto Broadway
2811 ft · 1 min · Broadway
-
35
Turn left onto Front Street
8 m · 1 sec · Front Street
-
36
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Front Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mojave 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.
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 Mojave 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 Mojave to San Diego?
The road trip is about 213.9 miles (344.2 km) and usually takes 03h 46m 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?
Grand Terrace is a useful midpoint, sitting about 102.5 miles from Mojave and 111.4 miles from San Diego.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 171.5 miles (276 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.4 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 9:28 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $43.56 one way or $87.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 67.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Mojave and Mostly Sunny near San Diego.
Stop Ideas Near Grand Terrace
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Bear Springs Hotel
City Hall
San Bernardino County Land Use
City of Fontana Civic Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Grand Terrace.
Riverside–Downtown
San Bernardino Santa Fe Depot
Moreno Valley, California
Perris, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Mojave and San Diego. Straight-line distance: 171.52 mi (276.03 km).
#1 Mojave
Desert in southwestern United States
| Population | 4,238 |
| Coordinates | 35.0524700, -118.1739600 |
| Altitude | 842 |
| 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: 344 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 03m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $43.56 | $87.11 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $45.80 | $91.60 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $47.13 | $94.27 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $57.13 | $114.26 |
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 · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.