How far is San Diego, CA from Lake of the Pines, CA?
The estimated driving distance from San Diego, CA to Lake of the Pines, CA is about 576 miles (927 km), with a travel time of about 10h 05m by car.
- This page is using an estimated road distance while the full route geometry is refreshed.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 488.1 miles (785.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 20h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 10h 05m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Census-designated place in Tulare County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
Road route is being refreshed. This page currently uses an estimated driving distance.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Diego and Lake of the Pines.
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Sunny leaving San Diego and Showers And Thunderstorms near Lake of the Pines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Diego to Lake of the Pines?
The road trip is about 576 miles (927 km) and usually takes 10h 05m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Richgrove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 244.1 miles from San Diego and 331.9 miles from Lake of the Pines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 488.1 miles (785.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 87.9 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 7:30 AM PDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $117.28 one way or $234.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 180.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around San Diego and Showers And Thunderstorms near Lake of the Pines.
Stop Ideas Near Richgrove
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Richgrove.
Wasco station
Bakersfield
Corcoran station
Visalia, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Diego and Lake of the Pines. Straight-line distance: 488.12 mi (785.55 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 of the Pines
Census-designated place in Nevada County, California
| Population | 3,917 |
| Coordinates | 39.0396200, -121.0566100 |
| Altitude | 462 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake of the Pines (-121.05661, 39.03962)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 927 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 19h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 14h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 11h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 09h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 08h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 07h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $117.28 | $234.57 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $123.32 | $246.64 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $126.92 | $253.84 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $153.84 | $307.67 |
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 11, 2026