How far is San Diego, CA from Ladera Heights, CA?

The driving distance from San Diego, CA to Ladera Heights, CA is about 126.1 miles (202.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 30m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 112.6 miles (181.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 00m 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
126.1 mi
02h 30m
Flight
112.62 mi
181.25 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
112.62 mi
Kilometers
181.25 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
126.1 mi
Kilometers
202.94 km
Drive Time
02h 30m

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 30m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ladera Heights
Wed, Jun 3, 3:27 PM PDT
Return by in San Diego
Wed, Jun 3, 5:58 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave San Diego
2026-06-03T12:57
Arrive Ladera Heights
Wed, Jun 3, 3:27 PM PDT
Route Timing
02h 30m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:30 AM to 12:30 PM PDT

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

Leave by
1:30 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
Dana Point
CA

City in California, US

From San Diego
63.1 mi
01h 15m
To Ladera Heights
63 mi
01h 15m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
71°F
Today

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Jun 3 11:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph W
Destination
74°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Jun 3 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 Ladera Heights.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between San Diego and Ladera Heights.

  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

    25 mi · 29 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward Los Angeles International Airport

    976 ft · 13 sec

  13. 13

    Continue straight

    2.5 mi · 3 min

  14. 14

    Turn straight onto South La Cienega Boulevard

    1.2 mi · 2 min · South La Cienega Boulevard

  15. 15

    Turn slight right onto Slauson Avenue

    1150 ft · 28 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left onto West Slauson Avenue

    1773 ft · 47 sec · West Slauson Avenue

  17. 17

    Turn right onto South Sherbourne Drive

    122 m · 22 sec · South Sherbourne Drive

  18. 18

    Turn left onto West 57th Street

    97 m · 16 sec · West 57th Street

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Bedford Avenue

    1755 ft · 1 min · Bedford Avenue

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Bedford Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
20 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
San Diego Freeway
102 mi · 81%
San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
14.1 mi · 11%
Corona Del Mar Freeway
4.02 mi · 3%
Los Angeles International Airport
2.65 mi · 2%
South La Cienega Boulevard
1.15 mi · 1%
1st Avenue
0.58 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 30m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.5 mi
112.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Dana Point
01h 15m from San Diego
Leave By
1:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving San Diego and Mostly Sunny near Ladera Heights.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from San Diego to Ladera Heights?

The road trip is about 126.1 miles (202.9 km) and usually takes 02h 30m 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?

Dana Point is a useful midpoint, sitting about 63.1 miles from San Diego and 63 miles from Ladera Heights.

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

The direct path is about 112.6 miles (181.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.5 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 1:30 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.67 one way or $51.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Dana Point

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 Dana Point and the surrounding midpoint area.
Blue Lantern Inn, A Four Sisters Inn
Coffee break 2.3 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 3.1 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 13.2 mi away

City of Lake Forest

Dana Point
Rating 4.8/5 12 reviews Government office,Service establishment
Laguna Niguel City Hall
Meeting point 4.9 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 Dana Point.

RAIL

San Juan Capistrano

5 mi away
26701 Verdugo Street
RAIL

San Clemente Pier station

9 mi away
Avenida del Mar and Avenida Victoria
RAIL

Irvine Transportation Center

24 mi away
15215 Barranca Parkway
RAIL

Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center

35 mi away
1000 East Santa Ana Boulevard

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between San Diego and Ladera Heights. Straight-line distance: 112.62 mi (181.25 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
Ladera Heights

#2 Ladera Heights

Census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California

Population6,498
Coordinates33.9941800, -118.3753500
Altitude93
CountryUnited States
Start: San Diego (-117.16472, 32.71571)
End: Ladera Heights (-118.37535, 33.99418)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 203 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 12m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 09m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 31m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 06m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 34m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.45 gal
16.84 L · about $25.67
Round trip
$51.34
8.9 gal · 33.68 L
Estimated CO2
39.5 kg one way
Round trip: 79.1 kg / 174 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $25.67 $51.34
Mid-grade $6.07 $26.99 $53.99
Premium $6.24 $27.78 $55.56
Diesel $7.57 $33.67 $67.35

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 · Jun 03, 2026

There is no time difference between San Diego and Ladera Heights. The current time is 12:57:24.

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.