How far is San Diego, CA from Imperial Beach, CA?
The driving distance from San Diego, CA to Imperial Beach, CA is about 12.9 miles (20.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 9.6 miles (15.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 35m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 17m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 second most populous city in San Diego County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Diego and Imperial Beach.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Diego and Imperial Beach.
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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
1.4 km · 2 min · West Broadway
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3
Turn right onto 16th Street
115 m · 15 sec · 16th Street
-
4
Take the ramp left toward I 5 South
1475 ft · 36 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto John J. Montgomery Freeway
9.9 mi · 11 min · John J. Montgomery Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward CA 75: Palm Avenue
1986 ft · 53 sec
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7
Turn right onto Palm Avenue
1.4 mi · 3 min · Palm Avenue
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8
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Palm Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Diego and Imperial Beach.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
John J. Montgomery Freeway
Merge slight left onto John J. Montgomery Freeway
9.88 mi · 00h 11m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving San Diego and Sunny near Imperial Beach.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Diego to Imperial Beach?
The road trip is about 12.9 miles (20.8 km) and usually takes 00h 17m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Chula Vista is a useful midpoint, sitting about 6.5 miles from San Diego and 6.5 miles from Imperial Beach.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 9.6 miles (15.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.3 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:54 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.60 one way or $5.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around San Diego and Sunny near Imperial Beach.
Stop Ideas Near Chula Vista
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
El Primero Boutique Hotel
Crown City Inn
Coronado Beach Resort
San Diego County Administration Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Chula Vista.
Santa Fe Depot
Old Town Transit Center
Sorrento Valley station
Solana Beach
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Diego and Imperial Beach. Straight-line distance: 9.59 mi (15.43 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 Imperial Beach
City in California, USA
| Population | 27,325 |
| Coordinates | 32.5839400, -117.1130800 |
| Altitude | 6 |
| Country | United States |
End: Imperial Beach (-117.11308, 32.58394)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 21 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $2.60 | $5.19 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $2.73 | $5.46 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $2.81 | $5.62 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $3.41 | $6.81 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.