How far is San Diego, CA from East Pasadena, CA?
The driving distance from San Diego, CA to East Pasadena, CA is about 123.4 miles (198.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 111.4 miles (179.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 09m 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 34m.
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.
The most populous city in Orange County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Diego and East Pasadena.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Diego and East Pasadena.
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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
8.6 mi · 10 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward I 605 South, I 605 North: San Gabriel River Freeway
1483 ft · 36 sec
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22
Keep slight right to continue on I 605 North
1597 ft · 39 sec
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23
Merge slight left onto San Gabriel River Freeway
4.4 mi · 5 min · San Gabriel River Freeway
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24
Take the exit slight right toward Beverly Boulevard
1188 ft · 29 sec
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25
Turn right onto Pioneer Boulevard
62 m · 5 sec · Pioneer Boulevard
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26
Turn right onto Beverly Boulevard
1.2 mi · 3 min · Beverly Boulevard
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27
Turn right onto Rosemead Boulevard
8.7 mi · 15 min · Rosemead Boulevard
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28
Continue on South Rosemead Boulevard
2750 ft · 1 min · South Rosemead Boulevard
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29
Turn left onto San Pasqual Street
57 m · 5 sec · San Pasqual Street
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · San Pasqual Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Diego and East Pasadena.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
San Diego Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway
36.3 mi · 00h 43m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving San Diego and Mostly Sunny near East Pasadena.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Diego to East Pasadena?
The road trip is about 123.4 miles (198.6 km) and usually takes 02h 34m 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?
San Clemente is a useful midpoint, sitting about 61.8 miles from San Diego and 61.6 miles from East Pasadena.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 111.4 miles (179.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 12 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 1:20 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.10 one way or $50.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around San Diego and Mostly Sunny near East Pasadena.
Stop Ideas Near San Clemente
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Blue Lantern Inn, A Four Sisters Inn
The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
City of Lake Forest
Laguna Niguel City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to San Clemente.
San Clemente Pier station
San Juan Capistrano
Irvine Transportation Center
Oceanside Transit Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Diego and East Pasadena. Straight-line distance: 111.39 mi (179.26 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 East Pasadena
Census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California
| Population | 6,144 |
| Coordinates | 34.1381400, -118.0738400 |
| Altitude | 221 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Pasadena (-118.07384, 34.13814)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 199 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $25.10 | $50.19 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $26.39 | $52.77 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $27.16 | $54.31 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $32.92 | $65.83 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.