How far is Rancho Palos Verdes, CA from Chula Vista, CA?

The driving distance from Rancho Palos Verdes, CA to Chula Vista, CA is about 138 miles (222.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 28m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 107.2 miles (172.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 57m 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
137.98 mi
02h 28m
Flight
107.22 mi
172.56 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Rancho Palos Verdes.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
107.22 mi
Kilometers
172.56 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
137.98 mi
Kilometers
222.05 km
Drive Time
02h 28m

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 28m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chula Vista
Sun, Apr 19, 9:20 AM PDT
Return by in Rancho Palos Verdes
Sun, Apr 19, 11:49 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Rancho Palos Verdes
2026-04-19T06:52
Arrive Chula Vista
Sun, Apr 19, 9:20 AM PDT
Route Timing
02h 28m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:29 AM to 12:29 PM PDT

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

Leave by
1:32 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Rancho Palos Verdes
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
San Clemente
CA

The most populous city in Orange County, California.

From Rancho Palos Verdes
65.9 mi
01h 14m
To Chula Vista
72.1 mi
01h 14m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
Rancho Palos Verdes Weather
CA
Live fallback forecast
71°F
Sunday
Using Rolling Hills as the closest live forecast in the Los Angeles County weather hub.

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph WSW
Destination
70°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Rancho Palos Verdes and Chula Vista.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Rancho Palos Verdes and Chula Vista.

  1. 1

    Start on Barkentine Road

    90 m · 15 sec · Barkentine Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Palos Verdes Drive South

    3.7 mi · 7 min · Palos Verdes Drive South

  3. 3

    Continue on West 25th Street

    1 mi · 2 min · West 25th Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto South Western Avenue

    1.7 mi · 3 min · South Western Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn right onto West 1st Street

    1 mi · 3 min · West 1st Street

  6. 6

    Turn left onto North Gaffey Street

    1000 ft · 24 sec · North Gaffey Street

  7. 7

    Continue on Harbor Freeway

    155 m · 7 sec · Harbor Freeway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 47 North: Vincent Thomas Bridge, Terminal Island, Long Beach

    1126 ft · 27 sec

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    1.9 mi · 3 min

  10. 10

    Continue on Seaside Avenue

    1.4 km · 1 min · Seaside Avenue

  11. 11

    Continue on Seaside Freeway

    3.7 mi · 5 min · Seaside Freeway

  12. 12

    Continue on Long Beach Freeway

    2.3 mi · 3 min · Long Beach Freeway

  13. 13

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

    697 ft · 11 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on I 405 South: San Diego

    1627 ft · 29 sec

  15. 15

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

    1477 ft · 23 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway

    7.7 mi · 9 min · San Diego Freeway

  17. 17

    Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway

    2.3 mi · 3 min · San Diego Freeway

  18. 18

    Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway

    893 ft · 12 sec · San Diego Freeway

  19. 19

    Keep slight left

    10.3 mi · 12 min

  20. 20

    Keep slight right to continue on Corona Del Mar Freeway

    4 mi · 5 min · Corona Del Mar Freeway

  21. 21

    Continue on San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

    10.3 mi · 12 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

  22. 22

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

    133 m · 6 sec

  23. 23

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

    2519 ft · 33 sec

  24. 24

    Keep slight left to continue on CA 73 South

    3218 ft · 42 sec

  25. 25

    Merge slight left onto San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

    2.5 mi · 3 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

  26. 26

    Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway

    53.7 mi · 1 hr 3 min · San Diego Freeway

  27. 27

    Take the exit slight left

    1.3 km · 55 sec

  28. 28

    Continue on Jacob Dekema Freeway

    18.6 mi · 21 min · Jacob Dekema Freeway

  29. 29

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

    1234 ft · 30 sec

  30. 30

    Keep slight right to continue on CA 54 West

    1631 ft · 40 sec

  31. 31

    Merge slight left onto South Bay Freeway

    2230 ft · 27 sec · South Bay Freeway

  32. 32

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

    1451 ft · 44 sec

  33. 33

    Turn left onto Highland Avenue

    1711 ft · 31 sec · Highland Avenue

  34. 34

    Continue on 4th Avenue

    1.5 km · 2 min · 4th Avenue

  35. 35

    Turn right onto F Street

    98 m · 34 sec · F Street

  36. 36

    Continue on F Street

    83 m · 5 sec · F Street

  37. 37

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · F Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Rancho Palos Verdes 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
37 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
4 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
26.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
San Diego Freeway
74.9 mi · 54%
Jacob Dekema Freeway
18.6 mi · 14%
San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
12.8 mi · 9%
Corona Del Mar Freeway
4 mi · 3%
Palos Verdes Drive South
3.74 mi · 3%
Seaside Freeway
3.74 mi · 3%
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 28m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+30.8 mi
107.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
San Clemente
01h 14m from Rancho Palos Verdes
Leave By
1:32 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Rancho Palos Verdes and Mostly Sunny near Chula Vista.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Rancho Palos Verdes to Chula Vista?

The road trip is about 138 miles (222.1 km) and usually takes 02h 28m 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?

San Clemente is a useful midpoint, sitting about 65.9 miles from Rancho Palos Verdes and 72.1 miles from Chula Vista.

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

The direct path is about 107.2 miles (172.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.8 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 1:32 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.10 one way or $56.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Rancho Palos Verdes and Mostly Sunny near Chula Vista.

Stop Ideas Near San Clemente

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 San Clemente and the surrounding midpoint area.
Blue Lantern Inn, A Four Sisters Inn
Coffee break 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 7 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
Laguna Niguel City Hall
Meeting point 8.9 mi away

Laguna Niguel City Hall

Laguna Niguel , CA
30111 Crown Valley Pkwy, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677, United States
Rating 4.4/5 7 reviews City or town hall,City government office
Doheny State Beach Campground
Nearby stop 4.6 mi away

Doheny State Beach Campground

Dana Point , CA
34381 Pacific Coast Hwy, Dana Point, CA 92629, United States
Rating 4.3/5 53 reviews Campground,Public beach

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to San Clemente.

RAIL

San Clemente Pier station

1 mi away
Avenida del Mar and Avenida Victoria
RAIL

San Juan Capistrano

10 mi away
26701 Verdugo Street
RAIL

Irvine Transportation Center

31 mi away
15215 Barranca Parkway
RAIL

Oceanside Transit Center

34 mi away
235 South Tremont Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Rancho Palos Verdes and Chula Vista. Straight-line distance: 107.22 mi (172.56 km).

Rancho Palos Verdes

#1 Rancho Palos Verdes

A city in Los Angeles County, California.

Population40,855
Coordinates33.7444600, -118.3870200
Altitude67
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: Barkentine Road (-118.38666, 33.744511)
End: F Street (-117.084196, 32.640039)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 222 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 35m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 26m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 45m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 17m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 58m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 43m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.87 gal
18.43 L · about $28.10
Round trip
$56.19
9.74 gal · 36.86 L
Estimated CO2
43.3 kg one way
Round trip: 86.6 kg / 191 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $28.10 $56.19
Mid-grade $6.07 $29.54 $59.08
Premium $6.24 $30.40 $60.81
Diesel $7.57 $36.85 $73.70

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Rancho Palos Verdes and Chula Vista. The current time is 06:52:10.

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.