How far is San Diego, CA from Northridge, CA?
The driving distance from San Diego, CA to Northridge, CA is about 148 miles (238.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 131 miles (210.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 52m 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 56m.
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.
A city in Orange County, California.
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 Northridge.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Diego and Northridge.
-
1
Start on Front Street
8 m · 6 sec · Front Street
-
2
Turn left onto West Broadway
88 m · 12 sec · West Broadway
-
3
Turn left onto 1st Avenue
3072 ft · 1 min · 1st Avenue
-
4
Take the ramp left toward I 5 North: Los Angeles
1017 ft · 25 sec
-
5
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
13.5 mi · 16 min · San Diego Freeway
-
6
Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway
36.3 mi · 43 min · San Diego Freeway
-
7
Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway
18.1 mi · 21 min · San Diego Freeway
-
8
Keep slight right to continue on San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
14.1 mi · 16 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
-
9
Continue on Corona Del Mar Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · Corona Del Mar Freeway
-
10
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
9.6 mi · 11 min · San Diego Freeway
-
11
Keep slight left
47.4 mi · 55 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward Roscoe Boulevard, Panorama City
1187 ft · 37 sec
-
13
Turn left onto Roscoe Boulevard
1 km · 1 min · Roscoe Boulevard
-
14
Turn right onto Woodley Avenue
2677 ft · 1 min · Woodley Avenue
-
15
Turn left onto Parthenia Street
3 mi · 5 min · Parthenia Street
-
16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Parthenia Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Diego and Northridge.
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
47.4 mi · 00h 55m
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 Northridge.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Diego to Northridge?
The road trip is about 148 miles (238.2 km) and usually takes 02h 56m 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?
Aliso Viejo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 74 miles from San Diego and 74 miles from Northridge.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 131 miles (210.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 17 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 12:38 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.68 one way or $65.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around San Diego and Sunny near Northridge.
Stop Ideas Near Aliso Viejo
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
Newport Beach Municipal Operations
City of Lake Forest
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Aliso Viejo.
San Juan Capistrano
Irvine Transportation Center
San Clemente Pier station
Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Diego and Northridge. Straight-line distance: 131.05 mi (210.91 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 Northridge
Situated in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles County at an elevation of 807 feet, this primarily residential area is home to California State University, Northridge (CSUN).
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 34.2283400, -118.5367500 |
| Altitude | 246 |
| Country | United States |
End: Northridge (-118.53675, 34.22834)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 238 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 50m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $32.68 | $65.36 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $33.92 | $67.85 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $34.92 | $69.83 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $43.92 | $87.83 |
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 15, 2026