How far is San Diego, CA from Rancho Palos Verdes, CA?
The driving distance from San Diego, CA to Rancho Palos Verdes, CA is about 124.7 miles (200.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 100.2 miles (161.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 14m 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 37m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in California, US
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 Rancho Palos Verdes.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Diego and Rancho Palos Verdes.
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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
12.4 mi · 14 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Alameda Street
1665 ft · 43 sec
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13
Turn left onto South Alameda Street
3 mi · 5 min · South Alameda Street
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14
Take the exit slight right
127 m · 9 sec
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15
Continue on North Alameda Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · North Alameda Street
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16
Continue on East Harry Bridges Boulevard
1.3 mi · 2 min · East Harry Bridges Boulevard
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17
Take the ramp straight toward I 110 North, I 110 South: San Pedro, Los Angeles
51 m · 4 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I 110 South: San Pedro
1197 ft · 29 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto Harbor Freeway
2 mi · 2 min · Harbor Freeway
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20
Turn left onto North Gaffey Street
1221 ft · 34 sec · North Gaffey Street
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21
Turn right onto West 1st Street
1 mi · 3 min · West 1st Street
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22
Turn left onto South Western Avenue
1.7 mi · 4 min · South Western Avenue
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23
Turn right onto West 25th Street
1 mi · 2 min · West 25th Street
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24
Continue on Palos Verdes Drive South
2.9 mi · 5 min · Palos Verdes Drive South
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25
Turn slight right
95 m · 12 sec
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26
Turn straight onto Palos Verdes Drive South
1.3 km · 2 min · Palos Verdes Drive South
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27
Turn left onto Barkentine Road
109 m · 16 sec · Barkentine Road
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Barkentine Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Diego and Rancho Palos Verdes.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving San Diego and Mostly Sunny near Rancho Palos Verdes.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Diego to Rancho Palos Verdes?
The road trip is about 124.7 miles (200.7 km) and usually takes 02h 37m 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?
Dana Point is a useful midpoint, sitting about 62.4 miles from San Diego and 62.3 miles from Rancho Palos Verdes.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 100.2 miles (161.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.5 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 1:16 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.38 one way or $50.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around San Diego and Mostly Sunny near Rancho Palos Verdes.
Stop Ideas Near Dana Point
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 Dana Point.
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 Rancho Palos Verdes. Straight-line distance: 100.21 mi (161.27 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 Rancho Palos Verdes
A city in Los Angeles County, California.
| Population | 40,855 |
| Coordinates | 33.7444600, -118.3870200 |
| Altitude | 67 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rancho Palos Verdes (-118.38702, 33.74446)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 201 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 33m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $25.38 | $50.77 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $26.69 | $53.38 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $27.47 | $54.94 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $33.29 | $66.59 |
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.