How far is San Diego, CA from Chowchilla, CA?
The driving distance from San Diego, CA to Chowchilla, CA is about 376 miles (605.1 km), with a travel time of about 07h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 351.3 miles (565.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 14h 16m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 07h 08m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in California, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Diego and Chowchilla.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Diego and Chowchilla.
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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 left to continue on Golden State Freeway
27.4 mi · 30 min · Golden State Freeway
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27
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
6 mi · 7 min · Golden State Freeway
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28
Continue on Golden State Highway
111.4 mi · 2 hr · Golden State Highway
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29
Take the exit slight right toward Avenue 7
2522 ft · 31 sec
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30
Merge slight left
21.4 mi · 24 min
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31
Keep slight right to continue on Northbound California State Route 99
3.7 mi · 4 min · Northbound California State Route 99
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32
Take the exit slight right toward CA 233 West, Avenue 26
1361 ft · 39 sec
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33
Turn left onto Avenue 26
978 ft · 17 sec · Avenue 26
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34
Continue on East Robertson Boulevard
2672 ft · 49 sec · East Robertson Boulevard
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35
Turn right onto North 2nd Street
19 m · 3 sec · North 2nd Street
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36
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North 2nd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Diego and Chowchilla.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Golden State Highway
Continue on Golden State Highway
111 mi · 02h 00m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Partly Sunny leaving San Diego and Sunny near Chowchilla.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Diego to Chowchilla?
The road trip is about 376 miles (605.1 km) and usually takes 07h 08m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Lebec is a useful midpoint, sitting about 188.2 miles from San Diego and 187.8 miles from Chowchilla.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 351.3 miles (565.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.7 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 7:30 AM PDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $76.55 one way or $153.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 117.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around San Diego and Sunny near Chowchilla.
Stop Ideas Near Lebec
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 Lebec.
Fillmore, California
Tehachapi, California
Santa Paula, California
Santa Clarita-Newhall, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Diego and Chowchilla. Straight-line distance: 351.35 mi (565.44 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 Chowchilla
City in Madera County, California, United States
| Population | 18,153 |
| Coordinates | 37.1230000, -120.2601800 |
| Altitude | 73 |
| Country | United States |
End: Chowchilla (-120.26018, 37.123)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 605 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 12h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $76.55 | $153.11 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $80.50 | $160.99 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $82.84 | $165.69 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $100.41 | $200.83 |
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.