How far is San Diego, CA from Alpine, CA?
The driving distance from San Diego, CA to Alpine, CA is about 29 miles (46.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 24.5 miles (39.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 35m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
The second most populous city in San Diego County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Diego and Alpine.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Diego and Alpine.
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1
Start on Front Street
8 m · 6 sec · Front Street
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2
Turn left onto West Broadway
1.4 km · 2 min · West Broadway
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3
Turn right onto 16th Street
1136 ft · 34 sec · 16th Street
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4
Turn left onto G Street
85 m · 10 sec · G Street
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5
Continue on Martin Luther King Junior Freeway
8.2 mi · 9 min · Martin Luther King Junior Freeway
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6
Keep slight left to continue on Martin Luther King Junior Freeway
1932 ft · 25 sec · Martin Luther King Junior Freeway
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7
Continue straight
2 mi · 2 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 8 East
3267 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Mission Valley Freeway
6.9 mi · 8 min · Mission Valley Freeway
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10
Continue on Kumeyaay Highway
8.7 mi · 10 min · Kumeyaay Highway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Alpine, Tavern Road
1807 ft · 46 sec
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12
Turn right onto Tavern Road
152 m · 19 sec · Tavern Road
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13
Turn left onto Alpine Boulevard
1.2 km · 2 min · Alpine Boulevard
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14
Turn right
43 m · 10 sec
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Diego and Alpine.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Kumeyaay Highway
Continue on Kumeyaay Highway
8.67 mi · 00h 10m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny leaving San Diego and Rain Showers near Alpine.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Diego to Alpine?
The road trip is about 29 miles (46.7 km) and usually takes 00h 35m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
El Cajon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14.5 miles from San Diego and 14.5 miles from Alpine.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 24.5 miles (39.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.5 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:18 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.88 one way or $11.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny around San Diego and Rain Showers near Alpine.
Stop Ideas Near El Cajon
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
El Primero Boutique Hotel
Crown City Inn
Coronado Beach Resort
San Diego County Administration Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to El Cajon.
Santa Fe Depot
Old Town Transit Center
Sorrento Valley station
Solana Beach
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Diego and Alpine. Straight-line distance: 24.56 mi (39.53 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Alpine
Census-designated place in San Diego County, California, United States
| Population | 14,236 |
| Coordinates | 32.8350500, -116.7664100 |
| Altitude | 559 |
| Country | United States |
End: Alpine (-116.76641, 32.83505)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 47 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $5.88 | $11.77 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $6.19 | $12.37 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $6.37 | $12.74 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $7.72 | $15.44 |
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 11, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.