How far is San Diego, CA from Malibu, CA?
The driving distance from San Diego, CA to Malibu, CA is about 151 miles (243 km), with a travel time of about 03h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 129.9 miles (209.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 16m 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 03h 08m.
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.
City in Orange County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Diego and Malibu.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Diego and Malibu.
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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 right to continue on San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
14.1 mi · 16 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
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9
Continue on Corona Del Mar Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · Corona Del Mar Freeway
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10
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
9.6 mi · 11 min · San Diego Freeway
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11
Keep slight left
32.9 mi · 38 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 10: Santa Monica, Los Angeles
861 ft · 21 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 10 West: Santa Monica
1.1 km · 1 min
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14
Merge slight left onto Santa Monica Freeway
3.5 mi · 4 min · Santa Monica Freeway
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15
Continue on Pacific Coast Highway
17.5 mi · 31 min · Pacific Coast Highway
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Pacific Coast Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Diego and Malibu.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving San Diego and Mostly Sunny near Malibu.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Diego to Malibu?
The road trip is about 151 miles (243 km) and usually takes 03h 08m 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?
Laguna Woods is a useful midpoint, sitting about 75.5 miles from San Diego and 75.5 miles from Malibu.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 129.9 miles (209.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.1 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 10:44 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.75 one way or $61.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around San Diego and Mostly Sunny near Malibu.
Stop Ideas Near Laguna Woods
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Blue Lantern Inn, A Four Sisters Inn
Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort And Spa
Newport Beach Municipal Operations
City of Lake Forest
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Laguna Woods.
Irvine Transportation Center
San Juan Capistrano
Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center
San Clemente Pier station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Diego and Malibu. Straight-line distance: 129.93 mi (209.11 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 Malibu
City in Los Angeles County, California, United States
| Population | 11,519 |
| Coordinates | 34.0257700, -118.7804000 |
| Altitude | 32 |
| Country | United States |
End: Malibu (-118.7804, 34.02577)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 243 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $30.75 | $61.50 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $32.33 | $64.66 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $33.28 | $66.55 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $40.33 | $80.66 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.