How far is San Diego, CA from Los Angeles County, CA?
The driving distance from San Diego, CA to Los Angeles County, CA is about 132.9 miles (213.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 120.4 miles (193.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 29m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 44m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in Orange County, California, United States
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 Los Angeles County.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Diego and Los Angeles County.
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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
6.4 mi · 8 min · Golden State Freeway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward CA 2 North: Glendale, Glendale Freeway
2962 ft · 1 min
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23
Merge slight left onto Glendale Freeway
4.2 mi · 5 min · Glendale Freeway
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24
Take the exit slight right toward Mountain Street
1973 ft · 54 sec
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25
Turn left onto East Mountain Street
2407 ft · 1 min · East Mountain Street
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26
Turn right onto North Verdugo Road
1043 ft · 23 sec · North Verdugo Road
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27
Keep slight right to continue on North Verdugo Road
2.1 mi · 4 min · North Verdugo Road
-
28
Keep slight left to continue on La Crescenta Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · La Crescenta Avenue
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29
Turn left onto Shirlyjean Street
107 m · 16 sec · Shirlyjean Street
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30
Turn left onto Eilinita Avenue
2720 ft · 3 min · Eilinita Avenue
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Diego and Los Angeles County.
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 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.
Sunny leaving San Diego and Sunny near Los Angeles County.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Diego to Los Angeles County?
The road trip is about 132.9 miles (213.9 km) and usually takes 02h 44m 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 Juan Capistrano is a useful midpoint, sitting about 66.5 miles from San Diego and 66.4 miles from Los Angeles County.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 120.4 miles (193.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.5 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 1:00 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.47 one way or $58.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around San Diego and Sunny near Los Angeles County.
Stop Ideas Near San Juan Capistrano
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Blue Lantern Inn, A Four Sisters Inn
The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
City of Lake Forest
Laguna Niguel City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to San Juan Capistrano.
San Juan Capistrano
San Clemente Pier station
Irvine Transportation Center
Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Diego and Los Angeles County. Straight-line distance: 120.34 mi (193.67 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 Los Angeles County
County in California, United States of America
| Population | 9,943,046 |
| Coordinates | 34.1980100, -118.2610200 |
| Altitude | 734 |
| Country | United States |
End: Los Angeles County (-118.26102, 34.19801)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 214 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.28 | $29.47 | $58.93 |
| Mid-grade | $6.51 | $30.55 | $61.09 |
| Premium | $6.71 | $31.45 | $62.89 |
| Diesel | $8.39 | $39.36 | $78.73 |
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 · Oct 14, 2026