How far is San Diego, CA from Colton, CA?
The driving distance from San Diego, CA to Colton, CA is about 104.3 miles (167.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 94.3 miles (151.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 03m 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 01m.
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.
Census-designated place in San Diego County, California, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Diego and Colton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Diego and Colton.
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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
3088 ft · 1 min · West Broadway
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3
Turn left onto 11th Avenue
1146 ft · 25 sec · 11th Avenue
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4
Continue on Cabrillo Parkway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Cabrillo Parkway
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5
Continue on Cabrillo Freeway
8.3 mi · 10 min · Cabrillo Freeway
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6
Keep slight left
2688 ft · 35 sec
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7
Continue on Semper Fi Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Semper Fi Highway
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8
Continue on Escondido Freeway
3.1 mi · 4 min · Escondido Freeway
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9
Continue on Tony Gwynn Memorial Freeway
4.6 mi · 5 min · Tony Gwynn Memorial Freeway
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10
Continue on Escondido Freeway
5.9 mi · 7 min · Escondido Freeway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Escondido Freeway
6.9 mi · 8 min · Escondido Freeway
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12
Continue on Avocado Highway
21.9 mi · 23 min · Avocado Highway
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13
Continue on Escondido Freeway
6.3 mi · 7 min · Escondido Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 215
1510 ft · 18 sec
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15
Continue on Escondido Freeway
34.5 mi · 40 min · Escondido Freeway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on I 215 North: San Bernardino, Barstow
2413 ft · 51 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Riverside Freeway
4.2 mi · 5 min · Riverside Freeway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward Washington Street, Mount Vernon Avenue
1262 ft · 31 sec
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19
Continue on Mount Vernon Avenue
135 m · 9 sec · Mount Vernon Avenue
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20
Turn sharp left onto East Washington Street
870 ft · 26 sec · East Washington Street
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21
Turn right onto South Mount Vernon Avenue
2 mi · 4 min · South Mount Vernon Avenue
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22
Turn right onto North Colton Avenue
23 m · 2 sec · North Colton Avenue
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Colton Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Diego and Colton.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Escondido Freeway
Continue on Escondido Freeway
34.5 mi · 00h 40m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving San Diego and Mostly Sunny near Colton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Diego to Colton?
The road trip is about 104.3 miles (167.9 km) and usually takes 02h 01m 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?
Rainbow is a useful midpoint, sitting about 52.3 miles from San Diego and 52.1 miles from Colton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 94.3 miles (151.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 10 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 2:26 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.23 one way or $42.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around San Diego and Mostly Sunny near Colton.
Stop Ideas Near Rainbow
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Wildomar
Superior Court of California, County of Riverside - Southwest Justice Center
Vista Civic Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Rainbow.
Oceanside Transit Center
Sun City, California
Carlsbad Village station
Carlsbad Poinsettia, CA
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Diego and Colton. Straight-line distance: 94.24 mi (151.66 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 Colton
A city in San Bernardino County, California.
| Population | 54,661 |
| Coordinates | 34.0739000, -117.3136500 |
| Altitude | 306 |
| Country | United States |
End: Colton (-117.31365, 34.0739)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 168 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $21.23 | $42.46 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $22.32 | $44.65 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $22.97 | $45.95 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $27.85 | $55.69 |
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 · Jul 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.