How far is Northridge, CA from Chula Vista, CA?

The driving distance from Northridge, CA to Chula Vista, CA is about 155.7 miles (250.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 56m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 138.1 miles (222.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 52m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
155.68 mi
02h 56m
Flight
138.04 mi
222.16 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Northridge.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
138.04 mi
Kilometers
222.16 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
155.68 mi
Kilometers
250.54 km
Drive Time
02h 56m

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 56m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chula Vista
Thu, Oct 15, 4:18 PM PDT
Return by in Northridge
Thu, Oct 15, 7:14 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Northridge
2026-10-15T13:22
Arrive Chula Vista
Thu, Oct 15, 4:18 PM PDT
Route Timing
02h 56m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:56 AM to 12:56 PM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:38 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Northridge
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Aliso Viejo
CA

A city in Orange County, California.

From Northridge
77.5 mi
01h 28m
To Chula Vista
78.2 mi
01h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
89°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph NNE
Destination
82°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 7:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Northridge and Chula Vista.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Northridge and Chula Vista.

  1. 1

    Start on Parthenia Street

    45 m · 31 sec · Parthenia Street

  2. 2

    Continue on Parthenia Street

    3 mi · 5 min · Parthenia Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Woodley Avenue

    2677 ft · 60 sec · Woodley Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Roscoe Boulevard

    3020 ft · 1 min · Roscoe Boulevard

  5. 5

    Take the ramp right toward I 405 South: Santa Monica, San Diego Freeway South

    975 ft · 26 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway

    17.8 mi · 20 min · San Diego Freeway

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway

    26.5 mi · 31 min · San Diego Freeway

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway

    2.3 mi · 3 min · San Diego Freeway

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway

    893 ft · 12 sec · San Diego Freeway

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    10.3 mi · 12 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on Corona Del Mar Freeway

    4 mi · 5 min · Corona Del Mar Freeway

  12. 12

    Continue on San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

    10.3 mi · 12 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward La Paz Road, Moulton Parkway

    133 m · 6 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on CA 73 South: Moulton Parkway

    2519 ft · 33 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on CA 73 South

    3218 ft · 42 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

    2.5 mi · 3 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway

    53.7 mi · 1 hr 3 min · San Diego Freeway

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight left

    1.3 km · 55 sec

  19. 19

    Continue on Jacob Dekema Freeway

    18.6 mi · 21 min · Jacob Dekema Freeway

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 54 East, CA 54 West

    1234 ft · 30 sec

  21. 21

    Keep slight right to continue on CA 54 West

    1631 ft · 40 sec

  22. 22

    Merge slight left onto South Bay Freeway

    2230 ft · 27 sec · South Bay Freeway

  23. 23

    Take the exit slight right toward Highland Avenue, 4th Avenue

    1451 ft · 44 sec

  24. 24

    Turn left onto Highland Avenue

    1711 ft · 31 sec · Highland Avenue

  25. 25

    Continue on 4th Avenue

    1.5 km · 2 min · 4th Avenue

  26. 26

    Turn right onto F Street

    98 m · 34 sec · F Street

  27. 27

    Continue on F Street

    83 m · 5 sec · F Street

  28. 28

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · F Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Northridge and Chula Vista.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
28 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
4 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
18 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
San Diego Freeway
112 mi · 72%
Jacob Dekema Freeway
18.6 mi · 12%
San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
12.8 mi · 8%
Corona Del Mar Freeway
4 mi · 3%
Parthenia Street
3.02 mi · 2%
CA 73 South
1.09 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

San Diego Freeway

Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway

53.7 mi · 01h 03m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 56m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+17.6 mi
138.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Aliso Viejo
01h 28m from Northridge
Leave By
12:38 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Northridge and Sunny near Chula Vista.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Northridge to Chula Vista?

The road trip is about 155.7 miles (250.5 km) and usually takes 02h 56m 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 77.5 miles from Northridge and 78.2 miles from Chula Vista.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 138.1 miles (222.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.6 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 12:38 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.37 one way or $68.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Northridge and Sunny near Chula Vista.

Stop Ideas Near Aliso Viejo

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Aliso Viejo and the surrounding midpoint area.
Blue Lantern Inn, A Four Sisters Inn
Coffee break 6.6 mi away

Blue Lantern Inn, A Four Sisters Inn

Dana Point , CA
34343 Street of the Blue Lantern, Dana Point, CA 92629, United States
Rating 4.7/5 233 reviews Hotel,Bed & breakfast,Lodge
The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
Stay option 6.1 mi away

The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel

Dana Point , CA
One Ritz Carlton Dr, Dana Point, CA 92629, United States
Rating 4.6/5 2,544 reviews Hotel,Meeting planning service,Wedding venue
Newport Beach Municipal Operations
Scenic stop 14.8 mi away

Newport Beach Municipal Operations

Newport Beach , CA
592 Superior Ave, Newport Beach, CA 92663, United States
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews City government office,Government office,Park
City of Lake Forest
Practical stop 6.9 mi away

City of Lake Forest

Aliso Viejo
Rating 4.8/5 12 reviews Government office,Service establishment

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Aliso Viejo.

RAIL

San Juan Capistrano

9 mi away
26701 Verdugo Street
RAIL

Irvine Transportation Center

13 mi away
15215 Barranca Parkway
RAIL

San Clemente Pier station

19 mi away
Avenida del Mar and Avenida Victoria
RAIL

Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center

24 mi away
1000 East Santa Ana Boulevard

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Northridge and Chula Vista. Straight-line distance: 138.04 mi (222.16 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Northridge

Situated in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles County at an elevation of 807 feet, this primarily residential area is home to California State University, Northridge (CSUN).

Population0
Coordinates34.2283400, -118.5367500
Altitude246
CountryUnited States
Chula Vista

#2 Chula Vista

The second most populous city in San Diego County, California.

Population272,979
Coordinates32.6400500, -117.0842000
Altitude21
CountryUnited States
Start: Parthenia Street (-118.53675, 34.228303)
End: F Street (-117.084196, 32.640039)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 251 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 11m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 53m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 06m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 35m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 13m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 56m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.49 gal
20.79 L · about $34.37
Round trip
$68.75
10.98 gal · 41.58 L
Estimated CO2
48.8 kg one way
Round trip: 97.6 kg / 215 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $6.26 $34.37 $68.75
Mid-grade $6.50 $35.68 $71.36
Premium $6.69 $36.72 $73.45
Diesel $8.41 $46.19 $92.37

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

There is no time difference between Northridge and Chula Vista. The current time is 13:22:20.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.