How far is Rancho Palos Verdes, CA from San Diego, CA?
The driving distance from Rancho Palos Verdes, CA to San Diego, CA is about 130.6 miles (210.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 100.2 miles (161.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 40m 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 20m.
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 Rancho Palos Verdes and San Diego.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rancho Palos Verdes and San Diego.
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1
Start on Barkentine Road
90 m · 15 sec · Barkentine Road
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2
Turn right onto Palos Verdes Drive South
3.7 mi · 7 min · Palos Verdes Drive South
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3
Continue on West 25th Street
1 mi · 2 min · West 25th Street
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4
Turn left onto South Western Avenue
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Western Avenue
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5
Turn right onto West 1st Street
1 mi · 3 min · West 1st Street
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6
Turn left onto North Gaffey Street
1000 ft · 24 sec · North Gaffey Street
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7
Continue on Harbor Freeway
155 m · 7 sec · Harbor Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward CA 47 North: Vincent Thomas Bridge, Terminal Island, Long Beach
1126 ft · 27 sec
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9
Continue straight
1.9 mi · 3 min
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10
Continue on Seaside Avenue
1.4 km · 1 min · Seaside Avenue
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11
Continue on Seaside Freeway
3.7 mi · 5 min · Seaside Freeway
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12
Continue on Long Beach Freeway
2.3 mi · 3 min · Long Beach Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 405 North, I 405 South: Santa Monica, San Diego
697 ft · 11 sec
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14
Keep slight right to continue on I 405 South: San Diego
1627 ft · 29 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 405: San Diego Freeway, San Diego
1477 ft · 23 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
7.7 mi · 9 min · San Diego Freeway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway
2.3 mi · 3 min · San Diego Freeway
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18
Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway
893 ft · 12 sec · San Diego Freeway
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19
Keep slight left
10.3 mi · 12 min
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Corona Del Mar Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · Corona Del Mar Freeway
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21
Continue on San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
10.3 mi · 12 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
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22
Take the exit slight right toward La Paz Road, Moulton Parkway
133 m · 6 sec
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23
Keep slight left to continue on CA 73 South: Moulton Parkway
2519 ft · 33 sec
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24
Keep slight left to continue on CA 73 South
3218 ft · 42 sec
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25
Merge slight left onto San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
2.5 mi · 3 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
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26
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
67.8 mi · 1 hr 19 min · San Diego Freeway
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27
Take the exit slight right toward Front Street, Civic Center, 2nd Avenue
1164 ft · 28 sec
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28
Keep slight right to continue on Front Street, Civic Center
592 ft · 15 sec
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29
Continue on Front Street
2662 ft · 2 min · Front Street
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Front Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rancho Palos Verdes 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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Rancho Palos Verdes 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 Rancho Palos Verdes to San Diego?
The road trip is about 130.6 miles (210.2 km) and usually takes 02h 20m 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 62.3 miles from Rancho Palos Verdes and 68.4 miles from San Diego.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 100.2 miles (161.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.4 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 1:50 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.60 one way or $53.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Rancho Palos Verdes 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 Rancho Palos Verdes and San Diego. Straight-line distance: 100.21 mi (161.27 km).
#1 Rancho Palos Verdes
A city in Los Angeles County, California.
| Population | 40,855 |
| Coordinates | 33.7444600, -118.3870200 |
| Altitude | 67 |
| 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: 210 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $26.60 | $53.19 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $27.96 | $55.93 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $28.78 | $57.56 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $34.88 | $69.77 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.