How far is San Diego, CA from Apple Valley, CA?
The driving distance from San Diego, CA to Apple Valley, CA is about 150.2 miles (241.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 123.3 miles (198.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 51m 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 55m.
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.
Census-designated place in Riverside County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Diego and Apple Valley.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Diego and Apple Valley.
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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
3088 ft · 1 min · West Broadway
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3
Turn left onto 11th Avenue
1146 ft · 25 sec · 11th Avenue
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4
Continue on Cabrillo Parkway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Cabrillo Parkway
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5
Continue on Cabrillo Freeway
8.3 mi · 10 min · Cabrillo Freeway
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6
Keep slight left
2688 ft · 35 sec
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7
Continue on Semper Fi Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Semper Fi Highway
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8
Continue on Escondido Freeway
3.1 mi · 4 min · Escondido Freeway
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9
Continue on Tony Gwynn Memorial Freeway
4.6 mi · 5 min · Tony Gwynn Memorial Freeway
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10
Continue on Escondido Freeway
5.9 mi · 7 min · Escondido Freeway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Escondido Freeway
6.9 mi · 8 min · Escondido Freeway
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12
Continue on Avocado Highway
21.9 mi · 23 min · Avocado Highway
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13
Continue on Escondido Freeway
6.3 mi · 7 min · Escondido Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 215
1510 ft · 18 sec
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15
Continue on Escondido Freeway
34.5 mi · 40 min · Escondido Freeway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on I 215 North: San Bernardino, Barstow
2413 ft · 51 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Riverside Freeway
5.4 mi · 6 min · Riverside Freeway
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18
Continue on San Bernardino Freeway
5.5 mi · 6 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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19
Continue on Barstow Freeway
8.9 mi · 10 min · Barstow Freeway
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20
Keep slight left
1141 ft · 14 sec
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21
Continue on Barstow and Mojave Freeway
6.8 mi · 7 min · Barstow and Mojave Freeway
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22
Continue on CHP Officer Larry L. Wetterling and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Lieutenant Alfred E. Stewart Memorial Highway
5.4 mi · 6 min · CHP Officer Larry L. Wetterling and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Lieutenant Alfred E. Stewart Memorial Highway
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23
Continue on Barstow and Mojave Freeway
10.1 mi · 11 min · Barstow and Mojave Freeway
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24
Take the exit slight right toward La Mesa Road, Nisqualli Road
1751 ft · 46 sec
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25
Turn right onto Nisqualli Road
673 ft · 20 sec · Nisqualli Road
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26
Turn left onto Mariposa Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Mariposa Road
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27
Turn right onto Yates Road
1.4 km · 2 min · Yates Road
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28
At the end of the road, turn right onto Green Tree Boulevard
2 mi · 3 min · Green Tree Boulevard
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29
Continue on Yates Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Yates Road
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30
Continue on Yucca Loma Road
4 mi · 7 min · Yucca Loma Road
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31
At the end of the road, turn right onto Navajo Road
84 m · 11 sec · Navajo Road
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32
Continue on Navajo Road
128 m · 19 sec · Navajo Road
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33
Turn right onto Happy Trails Highway
991 ft · 17 sec · Happy Trails Highway
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34
Turn slight left
109 m · 14 sec
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35
Turn right onto Outer Hwy 18 North
9 m · 1 sec · Outer Hwy 18 North
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36
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Outer Hwy 18 North
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Diego and Apple Valley.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Escondido Freeway
Continue on Escondido Freeway
34.5 mi · 00h 40m
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 San Diego and Sunny near Apple Valley.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Diego to Apple Valley?
The road trip is about 150.2 miles (241.8 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?
Romoland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 75.2 miles from San Diego and 75 miles from Apple Valley.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 123.3 miles (198.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.9 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 12:38 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.58 one way or $61.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around San Diego and Sunny near Apple Valley.
Stop Ideas Near Romoland
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Best Western Plus Diamond Valley Inn
Summerly Community Park - City of Lake Elsinore
H&R Block
City of Lake Elsinore
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Romoland.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Diego and Apple Valley. Straight-line distance: 123.35 mi (198.51 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 Apple Valley
Town in San Bernardino County, California, United States
| Population | 74,061 |
| Coordinates | 34.5008300, -117.1858800 |
| Altitude | 898 |
| Country | United States |
End: Apple Valley (-117.18588, 34.50083)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 242 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 52m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $30.58 | $61.15 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $32.15 | $64.30 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $33.09 | $66.18 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $40.11 | $80.21 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.