How far is Oxnard, CA from San Diego, CA?

The driving distance from Oxnard, CA to San Diego, CA is about 184.4 miles (296.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 55m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 154.7 miles (249 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 50m 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
184.43 mi
02h 55m
Flight
154.72 mi
248.99 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Oxnard.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
154.72 mi
Kilometers
248.99 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
184.43 mi
Kilometers
296.81 km
Drive Time
02h 55m

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 55m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in San Diego
Wed, Apr 22, 10:51 PM PDT
Return by in Oxnard
Thu, Apr 23, 1:47 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Oxnard
2026-04-22T19:56
Arrive San Diego
Wed, Apr 22, 10:51 PM PDT
Route Timing
02h 55m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:55 AM to 12:55 PM PDT

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

Leave by
12:40 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Oxnard
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
Fountain Valley
CA

A city in Orange County, California.

From Oxnard
92.1 mi
01h 27m
To San Diego
92.3 mi
01h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
66°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph WNW
Destination
69°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Oxnard and San Diego.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Oxnard and San Diego.

  1. 1

    Start on East 5th Street

    2 mi · 4 min · East 5th Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South Rice Avenue

    1.8 mi · 2 min · South Rice Avenue

  3. 3

    Take the exit right toward US 101 South: Hwy 101 - Camarillo/Los Angeles

    1171 ft · 31 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Ventura Freeway

    40.6 mi · 47 min · Ventura Freeway

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 405 North, I 405 South: Sacramento, Santa Monica

    758 ft · 19 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on I 405 South: San Diego Freeway, Santa Monica

    1584 ft · 39 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 405 South: San Diego Freeway

    553 ft · 14 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway

    13.3 mi · 15 min · San Diego Freeway

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway

    26.5 mi · 31 min · San Diego Freeway

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway

    2.3 mi · 3 min · San Diego Freeway

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway

    893 ft · 12 sec · San Diego Freeway

  12. 12

    Keep slight left

    10.3 mi · 12 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on Corona Del Mar Freeway

    4 mi · 5 min · Corona Del Mar Freeway

  14. 14

    Continue on San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

    10.3 mi · 12 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

  15. 15

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

    133 m · 6 sec

  16. 16

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

    2519 ft · 33 sec

  17. 17

    Keep slight left to continue on CA 73 South

    3218 ft · 42 sec

  18. 18

    Merge slight left onto San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

    2.5 mi · 3 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

  19. 19

    Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway

    67.8 mi · 1 hr 19 min · San Diego Freeway

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward Front Street, Civic Center, 2nd Avenue

    1164 ft · 28 sec

  21. 21

    Keep slight right to continue on Front Street, Civic Center

    592 ft · 15 sec

  22. 22

    Continue on Front Street

    2662 ft · 2 min · Front Street

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Front Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Oxnard and San Diego.

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
23 steps
1 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
4 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
San Diego Freeway
120 mi · 65%
Ventura Freeway
40.6 mi · 22%
San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
12.8 mi · 7%
Corona Del Mar Freeway
4 mi · 2%
East 5th Street
2 mi · 1%
South Rice Avenue
1.75 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

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.

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 55m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+29.7 mi
154.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Fountain Valley
01h 27m from Oxnard
Leave By
12:40 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Oxnard 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 Oxnard to San Diego?

The road trip is about 184.4 miles (296.8 km) and usually takes 02h 55m 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?

Fountain Valley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 92.1 miles from Oxnard and 92.3 miles from San Diego.

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

The direct path is about 154.7 miles (249 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.7 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 12:40 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.56 one way or $75.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Oxnard and Mostly Sunny near San Diego.

Stop Ideas Near Fountain Valley

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 Fountain Valley and the surrounding midpoint area.
Newport Beach Municipal Operations
Scenic stop 7.4 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 Tustin Parks & Recreation
Meeting point 9.5 mi away

City of Tustin Parks & Recreation

Tustin , CA
300 Centennial Way, Tustin, CA 92780, United States
Rating 5.0/5 4 reviews City government office
bamboo house
Nearby stop 5.5 mi away

bamboo house

Garden Grove , CA
12242 Tamerlane Dr, Garden Grove, CA 92840, United States
Rating 4.9/5 20 reviews Hostel

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Fountain Valley.

RAIL

Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center

10 mi away
1000 East Santa Ana Boulevard
RAIL

Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center

12 mi away
2150 East Katella Avenue
RAIL

Irvine Transportation Center

18 mi away
15215 Barranca Parkway
RAIL

Fullerton Transportation Center

18 mi away
120 East Santa Fe Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Oxnard and San Diego. Straight-line distance: 154.72 mi (248.99 km).

Oxnard

#1 Oxnard

The second most populous city in Ventura County, California.

Population207,945
Coordinates34.1975000, -119.1770500
Altitude16
CountryUnited States
San Diego

#2 San Diego

The eighth most populous city in the United States and the center of the San Diego metropolitan area.

Population1,422,420
Coordinates32.7157100, -117.1647200
Altitude20
CountryUnited States
Start: East 5th Street (-119.177047, 34.197673)
End: Front Street (-117.164717, 32.71571)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 297 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 08m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 36m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 41m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 04m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 38m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 18m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.51 gal
24.64 L · about $37.56
Round trip
$75.11
13.02 gal · 49.28 L
Estimated CO2
57.9 kg one way
Round trip: 115.7 kg / 255 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $37.56 $75.11
Mid-grade $6.07 $39.49 $78.98
Premium $6.24 $40.64 $81.28
Diesel $7.57 $49.26 $98.52

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

There is no time difference between Oxnard and San Diego. The current time is 19:56:46.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

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