How far is San Diego, CA from Avenal, CA?
The driving distance from San Diego, CA to Avenal, CA is about 309.4 miles (497.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 283.2 miles (455.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 51m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 05h 55m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Los Angeles County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Diego and Avenal.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Diego and Avenal.
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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
18 mi · 21 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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21
Keep slight right to continue on Golden State Freeway
25.5 mi · 30 min · Golden State Freeway
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22
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Golden State Freeway
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23
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
1.5 mi · 2 min
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24
Keep slight left
36.1 mi · 42 min
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25
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
22.3 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway
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26
Keep slight right to continue on Westside Freeway
98.8 mi · 1 hr 46 min · Westside Freeway
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27
Take the exit slight right toward CA 269: Lassen Avenue
1486 ft · 45 sec
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28
Turn left onto South Lassen Avenue
2873 ft · 47 sec · South Lassen Avenue
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29
Continue on Skyline Boulevard
5.1 mi · 7 min · Skyline Boulevard
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30
Turn left onto South 7th Avenue
31 m · 7 sec · South 7th Avenue
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 7th Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Diego and Avenal.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Westside Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on Westside Freeway
98.8 mi · 01h 46m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny leaving San Diego and Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms near Avenal.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Diego to Avenal?
The road trip is about 309.4 miles (497.9 km) and usually takes 05h 55m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Santa Clarita is a useful midpoint, sitting about 154.8 miles from San Diego and 154.6 miles from Avenal.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 283.2 miles (455.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:08 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $68.02 one way or $136.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 104.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny around San Diego and Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms near Avenal.
Stop Ideas Near Santa Clarita
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Santa Clarita.
Santa Clarita-Newhall, California
Chatsworth station
Simi Valley
Van Nuys station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Diego and Avenal. Straight-line distance: 283.18 mi (455.73 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 Avenal
City in Kings County, California, United States
| Population | 13,362 |
| Coordinates | 36.0041200, -120.1290300 |
| Altitude | 246 |
| Country | United States |
End: Avenal (-120.12903, 36.00412)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 498 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $68.02 | $136.03 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $71.52 | $143.04 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $73.60 | $147.21 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $89.21 | $178.43 |
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.