How far is San Diego, CA from Poway, CA?
The driving distance from San Diego, CA to Poway, CA is about 22.6 miles (36.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 18.6 miles (30 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 31m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
The most populous city in San Diego 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 Poway.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Diego and Poway.
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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
3088 ft · 1 min · West Broadway
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3
Turn left onto 11th Avenue
1146 ft · 25 sec · 11th Avenue
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4
Continue on Cabrillo Parkway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Cabrillo Parkway
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5
Continue on Cabrillo Freeway
8.3 mi · 10 min · Cabrillo Freeway
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6
Keep slight left
2688 ft · 35 sec
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7
Continue on Semper Fi Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Semper Fi Highway
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8
Continue on Escondido Freeway
3.1 mi · 4 min · Escondido Freeway
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9
Continue on Tony Gwynn Memorial Freeway
1.4 km · 1 min · Tony Gwynn Memorial Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Poway Road, Rancho Peñasquitos Boulevard
995 ft · 24 sec
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Poway Road
123 m · 10 sec
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12
Turn straight onto Poway Road
4.2 mi · 8 min · Poway Road
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13
Turn left onto Midland Road
2387 ft · 1 min · Midland Road
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14
Turn right onto Putney Road
30 m · 3 sec · Putney Road
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Putney Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Diego and Poway.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Cabrillo Freeway
Continue on Cabrillo Freeway
8.26 mi · 00h 10m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Sunny leaving San Diego and Mostly Sunny near Poway.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Diego to Poway?
The road trip is about 22.6 miles (36.4 km) and usually takes 00h 31m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
La Mesa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.3 miles from San Diego and 11.3 miles from Poway.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 18.6 miles (30 km), while the road route adds roughly 4 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:26 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.62 one way or $9.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around San Diego and Mostly Sunny near Poway.
Stop Ideas Near La Mesa
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
1906 Lodge
Singing Hills Golf Resort at Sycuan
Hotel del Coronado, Curio Collection by Hilton
San Diego County Administration Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to La Mesa.
Santa Fe Depot
Old Town Transit Center
Sorrento Valley station
Solana Beach
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Diego and Poway. Straight-line distance: 18.64 mi (30 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 Poway
A city in San Diego County, California.
| Population | 49,246 |
| Coordinates | 32.9628200, -117.0358600 |
| Altitude | 157 |
| Country | United States |
End: Poway (-117.03586, 32.96282)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 36 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $4.62 | $9.23 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $4.85 | $9.71 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $4.99 | $9.99 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $6.05 | $12.11 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.