How far is San Diego, CA from Lake Isabella, CA?
The driving distance from San Diego, CA to Lake Isabella, CA is about 273.7 miles (440.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 214 miles (344.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 01m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 05h 30m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Located in the central San Fernando Valley, this Los Angeles neighborhood is a densely populated area.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Diego and Lake Isabella.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Diego and Lake Isabella.
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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
18 mi · 21 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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21
Keep slight right to continue on Golden State Freeway
25.5 mi · 30 min · Golden State Freeway
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22
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Golden State Freeway
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23
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
1.5 mi · 2 min
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24
Keep slight left
36.1 mi · 42 min
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25
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
22.3 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway
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26
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
26.3 mi · 29 min · Golden State Freeway
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27
Take the exit slight right toward CA 58 West: 24th Street, Rosedale Highway
1067 ft · 26 sec
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28
Keep slight right to continue on CA 178 East: Downtown
150 m · 12 sec
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29
Turn straight onto Rosedale Highway
1083 ft · 20 sec · Rosedale Highway
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30
Continue on 24th Street
1.2 km · 1 min · 24th Street
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31
Continue on 23rd Street
3231 ft · 1 min · 23rd Street
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32
Keep slight left to continue on CHP Officer David W. Manning Memorial Freeway
7.4 mi · 8 min · CHP Officer David W. Manning Memorial Freeway
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33
Continue on Route 178
31.9 mi · 46 min · Route 178
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34
Continue on Isabella Walker Pass Road
121 m · 5 sec · Isabella Walker Pass Road
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35
Take the exit slight right toward Bodfish
1317 ft · 33 sec
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36
Turn right onto Elizabeth Norris Road
1692 ft · 39 sec · Elizabeth Norris Road
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37
Turn left onto Lake Isabella Boulevard
3151 ft · 1 min · Lake Isabella Boulevard
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38
Turn right onto Erskine Creek Road
1337 ft · 42 sec · Erskine Creek Road
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39
Turn left onto Lake Ridge Way
120 m · 17 sec · Lake Ridge Way
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40
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Lake Ridge Way
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Diego and Lake Isabella.
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 longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Partly Sunny leaving San Diego and Sunny near Lake Isabella.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Diego to Lake Isabella?
The road trip is about 273.7 miles (440.4 km) and usually takes 05h 30m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Van Nuys is a useful midpoint, sitting about 137 miles from San Diego and 136.8 miles from Lake Isabella.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 214 miles (344.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 59.7 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:58 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $55.73 one way or $111.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 85.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around San Diego and Sunny near Lake Isabella.
Stop Ideas Near Van Nuys
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
The Beverly Hilton
City of Beverly Hills Parking Lot
Los Angeles City Council
City of Santa Clarita: Newhall Community Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Van Nuys.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Diego and Lake Isabella. Straight-line distance: 214.02 mi (344.43 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 Lake Isabella
Census-designated place in Kern County, California
| Population | 3,466 |
| Coordinates | 35.6180100, -118.4731400 |
| Altitude | 766 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake Isabella (-118.47314, 35.61801)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 440 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $55.73 | $111.46 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $58.60 | $117.20 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $60.31 | $120.61 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $73.10 | $146.19 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.