How far is San Diego, CA from Arcadia, CA?
The driving distance from San Diego, CA to Arcadia, CA is about 129.6 miles (208.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 110.5 miles (177.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 14m 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 37m.
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 Orange County, California, United States
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 San Diego and Arcadia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Diego and Arcadia.
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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
88 m · 12 sec · West Broadway
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3
Turn left onto 1st Avenue
3072 ft · 1 min · 1st Avenue
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4
Take the ramp left toward I 5 North: Los Angeles
1017 ft · 25 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
13.5 mi · 16 min · San Diego Freeway
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6
Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway
36.3 mi · 43 min · San Diego Freeway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway
18.1 mi · 21 min · San Diego Freeway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway
7.4 mi · 9 min · San Diego Freeway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Bake Parkway
1.6 mi · 2 min
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10
Keep slight right
6 mi · 7 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Jamboree Road
1266 ft · 17 sec
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12
Continue straight
527 ft · 11 sec
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13
Turn right onto Jamboree Road
760 ft · 18 sec · Jamboree Road
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14
Turn left onto El Camino Real
2.2 mi · 5 min · El Camino Real
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15
Turn left onto Newport Avenue
109 m · 14 sec · Newport Avenue
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16
Take the ramp right toward I 5 North: Los Angeles
1127 ft · 17 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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18
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.7 mi · 2 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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19
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
9.4 mi · 11 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
8.6 mi · 10 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward I 605 South, I 605 North: San Gabriel River Freeway
1483 ft · 36 sec
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22
Keep slight right to continue on I 605 North
1597 ft · 39 sec
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23
Merge slight left onto San Gabriel River Freeway
15.6 mi · 18 min · San Gabriel River Freeway
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24
Take the exit slight left toward I 210 West: Pasadena, Foothill Freeway
1.2 km · 52 sec
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25
Merge slight left onto Foothill Freeway
3.8 mi · 4 min · Foothill Freeway
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26
Take the exit slight right toward Santa Anita Avenue
1585 ft · 41 sec
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27
Turn left onto North Santa Anita Avenue
2283 ft · 1 min · North Santa Anita Avenue
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28
Turn right onto Santa Clara Street
1430 ft · 36 sec · Santa Clara Street
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29
Turn right onto West Huntington Drive
104 m · 10 sec · West Huntington Drive
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30
Keep slight left to continue on Huntington Drive
135 m · 21 sec · Huntington Drive
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31
Turn left
52 m · 13 sec
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32
Keep slight right
92 m · 22 sec
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33
Turn slight left onto West Huntington Drive
538 ft · 22 sec · West Huntington Drive
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Huntington Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Diego and Arcadia.
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
Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway
36.3 mi · 00h 43m
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 Mostly Sunny near Arcadia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Diego to Arcadia?
The road trip is about 129.6 miles (208.6 km) and usually takes 02h 37m 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 Juan Capistrano is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64.9 miles from San Diego and 64.7 miles from Arcadia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 110.5 miles (177.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.1 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 1:16 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.42 one way or $52.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around San Diego and Mostly Sunny near Arcadia.
Stop Ideas Near San Juan Capistrano
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 San Juan Capistrano.
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 San Diego and Arcadia. Straight-line distance: 110.45 mi (177.76 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 Arcadia
A city in Los Angeles County, California.
| Population | 56,323 |
| Coordinates | 34.1397300, -118.0353400 |
| Altitude | 147 |
| Country | United States |
End: Arcadia (-118.03534, 34.13973)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 209 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 09m |
| 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 | $26.42 | $52.84 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $27.78 | $55.56 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $28.59 | $57.19 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $34.66 | $69.31 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.