How far is San Diego, CA from Signal Hill, CA?

The driving distance from San Diego, CA to Signal Hill, CA is about 105.6 miles (169.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 04m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 94.9 miles (152.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 09m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
105.56 mi
02h 04m
Flight
94.96 mi
152.82 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from San Diego.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
94.96 mi
Kilometers
152.82 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
105.56 mi
Kilometers
169.89 km
Drive Time
02h 04m

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 04m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Signal Hill
Wed, Apr 15, 9:25 AM PDT
Return by in San Diego
Wed, Apr 15, 11:30 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave San Diego
2026-04-15T07:20
Arrive Signal Hill
Wed, Apr 15, 9:25 AM PDT
Route Timing
02h 04m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:05 AM to 12:05 PM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:20 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in San Diego
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
San Clemente
CA

The most populous city in Orange County, California.

From San Diego
52.8 mi
01h 02m
To Signal Hill
52.8 mi
01h 02m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
71°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SW
Destination
56°F
Wednesday Night

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 11:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between San Diego and Signal Hill.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between San Diego and Signal Hill.

  1. 1

    Start on Front Street

    8 m · 6 sec · Front Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West Broadway

    88 m · 12 sec · West Broadway

  3. 3

    Turn left onto 1st Avenue

    3072 ft · 1 min · 1st Avenue

  4. 4

    Take the ramp left toward I 5 North: Los Angeles

    1017 ft · 25 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway

    13.5 mi · 16 min · San Diego Freeway

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway

    36.3 mi · 43 min · San Diego Freeway

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway

    18.1 mi · 21 min · San Diego Freeway

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

    14.1 mi · 16 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

  9. 9

    Continue on Corona Del Mar Freeway

    4 mi · 5 min · Corona Del Mar Freeway

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway

    9.6 mi · 11 min · San Diego Freeway

  11. 11

    Keep slight left

    8.1 mi · 9 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward Cherry Avenue South

    834 ft · 21 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on Temple Avenue

    2303 ft · 58 sec · Temple Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn right onto East Willow Street

    2709 ft · 55 sec · East Willow Street

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Willow Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between San Diego and Signal Hill.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
15 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
San Diego Freeway
85.5 mi · 81%
San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
14.1 mi · 13%
Corona Del Mar Freeway
4.02 mi · 4%
1st Avenue
0.58 mi · 1%
East Willow Street
0.51 mi
Temple Avenue
0.44 mi
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 04m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.7 mi
94.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
San Clemente
01h 02m from San Diego
Leave By
2:20 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving San Diego and Mostly Cloudy near Signal Hill.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from San Diego to Signal Hill?

The road trip is about 105.6 miles (169.9 km) and usually takes 02h 04m 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 Clemente is a useful midpoint, sitting about 52.8 miles from San Diego and 52.8 miles from Signal Hill.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 94.9 miles (152.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.7 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 2:20 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.46 one way or $42.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 33.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around San Diego and Mostly Cloudy near Signal Hill.

Stop Ideas Near San Clemente

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around San Clemente and the surrounding midpoint area.
Blue Lantern Inn, A Four Sisters Inn
Coffee break 11.6 mi away

Blue Lantern Inn, A Four Sisters Inn

Dana Point , CA
34343 Street of the Blue Lantern, Dana Point, CA 92629, United States
Rating 4.7/5 233 reviews Hotel,Bed & breakfast,Lodge
The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
Stay option 12.7 mi away

The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel

Dana Point , CA
One Ritz Carlton Dr, Dana Point, CA 92629, United States
Rating 4.6/5 2,544 reviews Hotel,Meeting planning service,Wedding venue
Laguna Niguel City Hall
Meeting point 14.8 mi away

Laguna Niguel City Hall

Laguna Niguel , CA
30111 Crown Valley Pkwy, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677, United States
Rating 4.4/5 7 reviews City or town hall,City government office
Doheny State Beach Campground
Nearby stop 10.3 mi away

Doheny State Beach Campground

Dana Point , CA
34381 Pacific Coast Hwy, Dana Point, CA 92629, United States
Rating 4.3/5 53 reviews Campground,Public beach

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to San Clemente.

RAIL

San Clemente Pier station

1 mi away
Avenida del Mar and Avenida Victoria
RAIL

San Juan Capistrano

10 mi away
26701 Verdugo Street
RAIL

Irvine Transportation Center

31 mi away
15215 Barranca Parkway
RAIL

Oceanside Transit Center

34 mi away
235 South Tremont Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between San Diego and Signal Hill. Straight-line distance: 94.96 mi (152.82 km).

San Diego

#1 San Diego

The eighth most populous city in the United States and the center of the San Diego metropolitan area.

Population1,422,420
Coordinates32.7157100, -117.1647200
Altitude20
CountryUnited States
Signal Hill

#2 Signal Hill

City in Orange County, California, USA

Population11,280
Coordinates33.8044600, -118.1678500
Altitude45
CountryUnited States
Start: San Diego (-117.16472, 32.71571)
End: Signal Hill (-118.16785, 33.80446)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 170 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 31m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 38m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 06m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 45m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 30m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 19m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.72 gal
14.1 L · about $21.46
Round trip
$42.92
7.44 gal · 28.2 L
Estimated CO2
33.1 kg one way
Round trip: 66.1 kg / 146 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $21.46 $42.92
Mid-grade $6.07 $22.57 $45.13
Premium $6.24 $23.22 $46.45
Diesel $7.57 $28.15 $56.30

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between San Diego and Signal Hill. The current time is 07:20:38.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.