How far is San Diego, CA from Barstow, CA?

The driving distance from San Diego, CA to Barstow, CA is about 176.1 miles (283.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 18m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 151.1 miles (243.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 36m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
176.09 mi
03h 18m
Flight
151.04 mi
243.08 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from San Diego.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
151.04 mi
Kilometers
243.08 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
176.09 mi
Kilometers
283.39 km
Drive Time
03h 18m

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 03h 18m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Barstow
Sun, Apr 12, 12:29 PM PDT
Return by in San Diego
Sun, Apr 12, 3:47 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave San Diego
2026-04-12T09:11
Arrive Barstow
Sun, Apr 12, 12:29 PM PDT
Route Timing
03h 18m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:18 AM to 11:18 AM PDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:24 AM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in San Diego
9:00 PM PDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Moreno Valley
CA

The fifth most populous city in Riverside County, California.

From San Diego
88.2 mi
01h 39m
To Barstow
87.9 mi
01h 39m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
66°F
Sunday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 12 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph W
Destination
42°F
Sunday Night

Mostly Clear

Starts
Sun, Apr 12 11:00 AM PDT
Wind
20 to 28 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between San Diego and Barstow.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between San Diego and Barstow.

  1. 1

    Start on Front Street

    8 m · 6 sec · Front Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West Broadway

    3088 ft · 1 min · West Broadway

  3. 3

    Turn left onto 11th Avenue

    1146 ft · 25 sec · 11th Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue on Cabrillo Parkway

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Cabrillo Parkway

  5. 5

    Continue on Cabrillo Freeway

    8.3 mi · 10 min · Cabrillo Freeway

  6. 6

    Keep slight left

    2688 ft · 35 sec

  7. 7

    Continue on Semper Fi Highway

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Semper Fi Highway

  8. 8

    Continue on Escondido Freeway

    3.1 mi · 4 min · Escondido Freeway

  9. 9

    Continue on Tony Gwynn Memorial Freeway

    4.6 mi · 5 min · Tony Gwynn Memorial Freeway

  10. 10

    Continue on Escondido Freeway

    5.9 mi · 7 min · Escondido Freeway

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on Escondido Freeway

    6.9 mi · 8 min · Escondido Freeway

  12. 12

    Continue on Avocado Highway

    21.9 mi · 23 min · Avocado Highway

  13. 13

    Continue on Escondido Freeway

    6.3 mi · 7 min · Escondido Freeway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward I 215

    1510 ft · 18 sec

  15. 15

    Continue on Escondido Freeway

    34.5 mi · 40 min · Escondido Freeway

  16. 16

    Keep slight right to continue on I 215 North: San Bernardino, Barstow

    2413 ft · 51 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto Riverside Freeway

    5.4 mi · 6 min · Riverside Freeway

  18. 18

    Continue on San Bernardino Freeway

    5.5 mi · 6 min · San Bernardino Freeway

  19. 19

    Continue on Barstow Freeway

    8.9 mi · 10 min · Barstow Freeway

  20. 20

    Keep slight left

    1141 ft · 14 sec

  21. 21

    Continue on Barstow and Mojave Freeway

    6.8 mi · 7 min · Barstow and Mojave Freeway

  22. 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

  23. 23

    Continue on Barstow and Mojave Freeway

    44.8 mi · 48 min · Barstow and Mojave Freeway

  24. 24

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 247 South: Barstow Road

    1813 ft · 52 sec

  25. 25

    Turn left onto Barstow Road

    1.5 km · 2 min · Barstow Road

  26. 26

    At the end of the road, turn right onto East Main Street

    16 m · 1 sec · East Main Street

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between San Diego and Barstow.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
27 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Escondido Freeway
56.6 mi · 32%
Barstow and Mojave Freeway
51.7 mi · 29%
Avocado Highway
21.9 mi · 12%
Barstow Freeway
9.16 mi · 5%
Cabrillo Freeway
8.77 mi · 5%
San Bernardino Freeway
5.48 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Barstow and Mojave Freeway

Continue on Barstow and Mojave Freeway

44.8 mi · 00h 48m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 18m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+25 mi
151.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Moreno Valley
01h 39m from San Diego
Leave By
10:24 AM PDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Rain Showers Likely leaving San Diego and Mostly Clear near Barstow.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from San Diego to Barstow?

The road trip is about 176.1 miles (283.4 km) and usually takes 03h 18m 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?

Moreno Valley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 88.2 miles from San Diego and 87.9 miles from Barstow.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 151.1 miles (243.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 25 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 10:24 AM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.83 one way or $71.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around San Diego and Mostly Clear near Barstow.

Stop Ideas Near Moreno Valley

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Moreno Valley and the surrounding midpoint area.
Brandon's Diner Jr. Of City Hall
Coffee break 8.9 mi away

Brandon's Diner Jr. Of City Hall

Riverside , CA
3900 Main St, Riverside, CA 92501, United States
Rating 4.4/5 91 reviews Breakfast restaurant
Best Western Plus Arrowhead Hotel
Stay option 12.8 mi away

Best Western Plus Arrowhead Hotel

Colton , CA
250 N 9th St, Colton, CA 92324, United States
Rating 4.4/5 478 reviews Hotel
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 11.2 mi away

Loma Linda City Hall

Loma Linda , CA
25541 Barton Rd, Loma Linda, CA 92354, United States
Rating 5.0/5 3 reviews City government office,City or town hall
Perris City Hall
Nearby stop 7.3 mi away

Perris City Hall

Perris , CA
101 N D St, Perris, CA 92570, United States
Rating 4.6/5 22 reviews Urban planning department

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Moreno Valley.

BUS

Moreno Valley, California

6 mi away
2650 East Alessandro Blvd.
RAIL

Riverside–Downtown

14 mi away
4066 Vine St.
BUS

Perris, California

16 mi away
1688-J North Perris Blvd
RAIL

San Bernardino Santa Fe Depot

20 mi away
1170 West Third Street (all Trains and Buses)

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between San Diego and Barstow. Straight-line distance: 151.04 mi (243.08 km).

San Diego

#1 San Diego

The eighth most populous city in the United States and the center of the San Diego metropolitan area.

Population1,422,420
Coordinates32.7157100, -117.1647200
Altitude20
CountryUnited States
Barstow

#2 Barstow

City in San Bernardino County, California, United States

Population23,692
Coordinates34.8985900, -117.0228200
Altitude663
CountryUnited States
Start: San Diego (-117.16472, 32.71571)
End: Barstow (-117.02282, 34.89859)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 283 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 52m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 24m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 31m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 56m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 30m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 11m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.21 gal
23.52 L · about $35.83
Round trip
$71.65
12.42 gal · 47.04 L
Estimated CO2
55.2 kg one way
Round trip: 110.4 kg / 243 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $35.83 $71.65
Mid-grade $6.07 $37.67 $75.34
Premium $6.24 $38.77 $77.54
Diesel $7.57 $46.99 $93.98

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 12, 2026

There is no time difference between San Diego and Barstow. The current time is 09:11:32.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.