How far is Pasadena, CA from San Diego, CA?
The driving distance from Pasadena, CA to San Diego, CA is about 135.6 miles (218.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 114 miles (183.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 17m 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 08m.
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.
City in California, US
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 Pasadena and San Diego.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pasadena and San Diego.
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1
Start on East Holly Street
22 m · 5 sec · East Holly Street
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2
Turn right onto North Garfield Avenue
658 ft · 24 sec · North Garfield Avenue
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Colorado Boulevard
1883 ft · 45 sec · East Colorado Boulevard
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4
Turn left onto South Fair Oaks Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · South Fair Oaks Avenue
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5
Turn right onto Columbia Street
1046 ft · 28 sec · Columbia Street
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6
Turn left onto Fremont Avenue
3.3 mi · 8 min · Fremont Avenue
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7
Turn right onto West Valley Boulevard
3146 ft · 1 min · West Valley Boulevard
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8
Turn left onto Long Beach Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · Long Beach Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight left toward I 5 South: Santa Ana
1984 ft · 48 sec
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10
Merge slight right onto Santa Ana Freeway
23.5 mi · 27 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1241 ft · 16 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
1.3 km · 57 sec
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13
Keep slight left
788 ft · 10 sec
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South
981 ft · 13 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 km · 54 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.2 km · 52 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward Newport Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min
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19
Turn right onto Newport Avenue
1943 ft · 44 sec · Newport Avenue
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20
Turn left onto Walnut Avenue
2.2 mi · 4 min · Walnut Avenue
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21
Turn left onto Jamboree Road
2595 ft · 38 sec · Jamboree Road
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22
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 South
1479 ft · 21 sec
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23
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
5.5 mi · 6 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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24
Keep slight left to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 km · 56 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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25
Merge slight right onto San Diego Freeway
76.5 mi · 1 hr 29 min · San Diego Freeway
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26
Take the exit slight right toward Front Street, Civic Center, 2nd Avenue
1164 ft · 28 sec
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27
Keep slight right to continue on Front Street, Civic Center
592 ft · 15 sec
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28
Continue on Front Street
2662 ft · 2 min · Front Street
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Front Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Pasadena 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 right onto San Diego Freeway
76.5 mi · 01h 29m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Pasadena 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 Pasadena to San Diego?
The road trip is about 135.6 miles (218.3 km) and usually takes 02h 08m 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?
Dana Point is a useful midpoint, sitting about 62.9 miles from Pasadena and 72.7 miles from San Diego.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 114 miles (183.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.6 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 2:12 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.63 one way or $55.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Pasadena and Mostly Sunny near San Diego.
Stop Ideas Near Dana Point
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
City of Lake Forest
Laguna Niguel City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Dana Point.
San Juan Capistrano
San Clemente Pier station
Irvine Transportation Center
Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Pasadena and San Diego. Straight-line distance: 113.94 mi (183.37 km).
#1 Pasadena
The second most populous city in Los Angeles County, California.
| Population | 141,045 |
| Coordinates | 34.1477800, -118.1445200 |
| Altitude | 263 |
| 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: 218 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 56m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $27.63 | $55.27 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $29.06 | $58.11 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $29.90 | $59.81 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $36.25 | $72.49 |
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 · Apr 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.