How far is San Diego, CA from El Segundo, CA?

The driving distance from San Diego, CA to El Segundo, CA is about 123.3 miles (198.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 27m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 110.2 miles (177.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 54m 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
123.32 mi
02h 27m
Flight
110.17 mi
177.3 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
110.17 mi
Kilometers
177.3 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
123.32 mi
Kilometers
198.47 km
Drive Time
02h 27m

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 27m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in El Segundo
Thu, Apr 23, 1:22 AM PDT
Return by in San Diego
Thu, Apr 23, 3:49 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave San Diego
2026-04-22T22:55
Arrive El Segundo
Thu, Apr 23, 1:22 AM PDT
Route Timing
02h 27m
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

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
San Clemente
CA

The most populous city in Orange County, California.

From San Diego
61.7 mi
01h 13m
To El Segundo
61.6 mi
01h 13m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
69°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph NW
Destination
64°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between San Diego and El Segundo.

  1. 1

    Start on Front Street

    8 m · 6 sec · Front Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West Broadway

    88 m · 12 sec · West Broadway

  3. 3

    Turn left onto 1st Avenue

    3072 ft · 1 min · 1st Avenue

  4. 4

    Take the ramp left toward I 5 North: Los Angeles

    1017 ft · 25 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway

    13.5 mi · 16 min · San Diego Freeway

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway

    36.3 mi · 43 min · San Diego Freeway

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway

    18.1 mi · 21 min · San Diego Freeway

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

    14.1 mi · 16 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

  9. 9

    Continue on Corona Del Mar Freeway

    4 mi · 5 min · Corona Del Mar Freeway

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway

    9.6 mi · 11 min · San Diego Freeway

  11. 11

    Keep slight left

    23.7 mi · 27 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward El Segundo Boulevard

    1700 ft · 44 sec

  13. 13

    Turn left onto West El Segundo Boulevard

    2.7 mi · 5 min · West El Segundo Boulevard

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Main Street

    939 ft · 23 sec · Main Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto West Grand Avenue

    71 m · 15 sec · West Grand Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Marketplace

    14 m · 2 sec · Marketplace

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Marketplace

Car Route Details

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

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
17 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
San Diego Freeway
101 mi · 82%
San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
14.1 mi · 11%
Corona Del Mar Freeway
4.02 mi · 3%
West El Segundo Boulevard
2.72 mi · 2%
1st Avenue
0.58 mi
El Segundo Boulevard
0.32 mi
Longest Stretch

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.

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 27m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.1 mi
110.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
San Clemente
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 El Segundo.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from San Diego to El Segundo?

The road trip is about 123.3 miles (198.5 km) and usually takes 02h 27m 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 61.7 miles from San Diego and 61.6 miles from El Segundo.

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

The direct path is about 110.2 miles (177.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.1 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 $25.10 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 Sunny near El Segundo.

Stop Ideas Near San Clemente

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 San Clemente and the surrounding midpoint area.
Blue Lantern Inn, A Four Sisters Inn
Coffee break 3.5 mi away

Blue Lantern Inn, A Four Sisters Inn

Dana Point , CA
34343 Street of the Blue Lantern, Dana Point, CA 92629, United States
Rating 4.7/5 233 reviews Hotel,Bed & breakfast,Lodge
The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
Stay option 4.4 mi away

The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel

Dana Point , CA
One Ritz Carlton Dr, Dana Point, CA 92629, United States
Rating 4.6/5 2,544 reviews Hotel,Meeting planning service,Wedding venue
City of Lake Forest
Practical stop 14 mi away

City of Lake Forest

San Clemente
Rating 4.8/5 12 reviews Government office,Service establishment
Laguna Niguel City Hall
Meeting point 6.2 mi away

Laguna Niguel City Hall

Laguna Niguel , CA
30111 Crown Valley Pkwy, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677, United States
Rating 4.4/5 7 reviews City or town hall,City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to San Clemente.

RAIL

San Clemente Pier station

1 mi away
Avenida del Mar and Avenida Victoria
RAIL

San Juan Capistrano

10 mi away
26701 Verdugo Street
RAIL

Irvine Transportation Center

31 mi away
15215 Barranca Parkway
RAIL

Oceanside Transit Center

34 mi away
235 South Tremont Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between San Diego and El Segundo. Straight-line distance: 110.17 mi (177.3 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
El Segundo

#2 El Segundo

City in Los Angeles County, California, United States

Population16,289
Coordinates33.9191800, -118.4164700
Altitude35
CountryUnited States
Start: San Diego (-117.16472, 32.71571)
End: El Segundo (-118.41647, 33.91918)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 198 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 06m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 04m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 27m
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.

One-way fuel
4.35 gal
16.47 L · about $25.10
Round trip
$50.19
8.7 gal · 32.94 L
Estimated CO2
38.7 kg one way
Round trip: 77.3 kg / 170 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound 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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between San Diego and El Segundo. The current time is 22:55:13.

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.