How far is North Hills, CA from San Diego, CA?
The driving distance from North Hills, CA to San Diego, CA is about 145.6 miles (234.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 129.7 miles (208.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 16m 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 38m.
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.
A city in Orange County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between North Hills and San Diego.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Hills and San Diego.
-
1
Start on Woodley Avenue
83 m · 13 sec · Woodley Avenue
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2
Turn left onto Nordhoff Street
1.1 km · 1 min · Nordhoff Street
-
3
Take the ramp right toward I 405 South: San Diego Freeway
1112 ft · 29 sec
-
4
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
18.7 mi · 22 min · San Diego Freeway
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5
Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway
26.5 mi · 31 min · San Diego Freeway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway
2.3 mi · 3 min · San Diego Freeway
-
7
Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway
893 ft · 12 sec · San Diego Freeway
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8
Keep slight left
10.3 mi · 12 min
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on Corona Del Mar Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · Corona Del Mar Freeway
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10
Continue on San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
10.3 mi · 12 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
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11
Take the exit slight right toward La Paz Road, Moulton Parkway
133 m · 6 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on CA 73 South: Moulton Parkway
2519 ft · 33 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on CA 73 South
3218 ft · 42 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
2.5 mi · 3 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
-
15
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
67.8 mi · 1 hr 19 min · San Diego Freeway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Front Street, Civic Center, 2nd Avenue
1164 ft · 28 sec
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Front Street, Civic Center
592 ft · 15 sec
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18
Continue on Front Street
2662 ft · 2 min · Front Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Front Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between North Hills 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.
Sunny leaving North Hills and Sunny near San Diego.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from North Hills to San Diego?
The road trip is about 145.6 miles (234.4 km) and usually takes 02h 38m 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?
Aliso Viejo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 72.7 miles from North Hills and 72.9 miles from San Diego.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 129.7 miles (208.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.9 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 1:14 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.18 one way or $64.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around North Hills and Sunny near San Diego.
Stop Ideas Near Aliso Viejo
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
Newport Beach Municipal Operations
City of Lake Forest
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Aliso Viejo.
San Juan Capistrano
Irvine Transportation Center
San Clemente Pier station
Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between North Hills and San Diego. Straight-line distance: 129.72 mi (208.76 km).
#1 North Hills
Situated in the north-central San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles County, this community sits at an elevation of 843 feet.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 34.2363900, -118.4847200 |
| Altitude | 257 |
| 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: 234 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $32.18 | $64.36 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $33.40 | $66.81 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $34.38 | $68.76 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $43.24 | $86.49 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026