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

The driving distance from San Diego, CA to Citrus, CA is about 125.3 miles (201.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 26m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 105.4 miles (169.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 53m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
125.29 mi
02h 26m
Flight
105.38 mi
169.59 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from San Diego.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
105.38 mi
Kilometers
169.59 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
125.29 mi
Kilometers
201.63 km
Drive Time
02h 26m

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 26m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Citrus
Sun, Apr 19, 11:56 AM PDT
Return by in San Diego
Sun, Apr 19, 2:23 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave San Diego
2026-04-19T09:30
Arrive Citrus
Sun, Apr 19, 11:56 AM PDT
Route Timing
02h 26m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:27 AM to 12:27 PM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:36 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in San Diego
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Murrieta Hot Springs
CA

Census-designated place in Riverside County, California

From San Diego
62.7 mi
01h 13m
To Citrus
62.6 mi
01h 13m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph NW
Destination
82°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    Continue on Temecula Valley Freeway

    18.7 mi · 20 min · Temecula Valley Freeway

  15. 15

    Continue on Corona Freeway

    9.6 mi · 10 min · Corona Freeway

  16. 16

    Keep slight right to continue on Corona Freeway

    4.4 mi · 5 min · Corona Freeway

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 91: Beach Cities, Riverside

    953 ft · 23 sec · Corona Freeway

  18. 18

    Keep slight left to continue on Corona Freeway

    1.3 km · 2 min · Corona Freeway

  19. 19

    Merge slight left

    4.8 mi · 5 min

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 71 North: Ontario, Pomona

    2014 ft · 31 sec

  21. 21

    Continue on Corona Freeway

    2.9 mi · 4 min · Corona Freeway

  22. 22

    Continue on Chino Valley Freeway

    12.7 mi · 15 min · Chino Valley Freeway

  23. 23

    Keep slight left to continue on CA 57 North

    1.2 km · 2 min

  24. 24

    Continue straight

    2.5 mi · 3 min

  25. 25

    Take the exit slight right toward Arrow Highway

    1231 ft · 32 sec

  26. 26

    Turn left onto West Arrow Highway

    4.1 mi · 7 min · West Arrow Highway

  27. 27

    Turn right onto South Citrus Avenue

    2644 ft · 1 min · South Citrus Avenue

  28. 28

    Turn left onto East Gladstone Street

    867 ft · 26 sec · East Gladstone Street

  29. 29

    Turn right onto North Fenimore Avenue

    94 m · 16 sec · North Fenimore Avenue

  30. 30

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Ghent Street

    124 m · 18 sec · Ghent Street

  31. 31

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Ghent Street

Car Route Details

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

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
31 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
24.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Corona Freeway
22.6 mi · 18%
Escondido Freeway
22.1 mi · 18%
Avocado Highway
21.9 mi · 17%
Temecula Valley Freeway
18.7 mi · 15%
Chino Valley Freeway
12.7 mi · 10%
Cabrillo Freeway
8.77 mi · 7%
Longest Stretch

Avocado Highway

Continue on Avocado Highway

21.9 mi · 00h 23m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 26m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.9 mi
105.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Murrieta Hot Springs
01h 13m from San Diego
Leave By
1:36 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving San Diego and Sunny near Citrus.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 125.3 miles (201.6 km) and usually takes 02h 26m 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?

Murrieta Hot Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 62.7 miles from San Diego and 62.6 miles from Citrus.

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

The direct path is about 105.4 miles (169.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.9 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 1:36 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.50 one way or $51.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around San Diego and Sunny near Citrus.

Stop Ideas Near Murrieta Hot Springs

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 Murrieta Hot Springs and the surrounding midpoint area.
Rodeway Inn & Suites Canyon Lake I-15
Stay option 9.8 mi away

Rodeway Inn & Suites Canyon Lake I-15

Canyon Lake , CA
31820 Railroad Canyon Rd, Canyon Lake, CA 92587, United States
Rating 3.0/5 371 reviews Hotel
Summerly Community Park - City of Lake Elsinore
Scenic stop 10.5 mi away

Summerly Community Park - City of Lake Elsinore

Lake Elsinore , CA
18505 Malaga Rd, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530, United States
Rating 4.7/5 66 reviews City park,Park,Tourist attraction
City of Wildomar
Practical stop 4.9 mi away

City of Wildomar

Wildomar , CA
23873 Clinton Keith Rd STE 201, Wildomar, CA 92595, United States
Rating 2.9/5 12 reviews City government office,Professional services
Superior Court of California, County of Riverside - Southwest Justice Center
Meeting point 4.1 mi away

Superior Court of California, County of Riverside - Southwest Justice Center

Murrieta , CA
30755-D, Auld Rd, Murrieta, CA 92563, United States
Rating 3.4/5 51 reviews City courthouse,State government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Murrieta Hot Springs.

Transit stop coverage is not ready for this midpoint yet.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between San Diego and Citrus. Straight-line distance: 105.38 mi (169.59 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
Citrus

#2 Citrus

Census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California

Population10,866
Coordinates34.1150100, -117.8917300
Altitude178
CountryUnited States
Start: San Diego (-117.16472, 32.71571)
End: Citrus (-117.89173, 34.11501)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 202 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 10m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 07m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 30m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 05m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 47m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.42 gal
16.74 L · about $25.50
Round trip
$51.00
8.84 gal · 33.48 L
Estimated CO2
39.3 kg one way
Round trip: 78.6 kg / 173 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $25.50 $51.00
Mid-grade $6.07 $26.81 $53.62
Premium $6.24 $27.59 $55.19
Diesel $7.57 $33.45 $66.89

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between San Diego and Citrus. The current time is 09:30:11.

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.