How far is San Diego, CA from Studio City, CA?

The driving distance from San Diego, CA to Studio City, CA is about 134.9 miles (217.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 41m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 121.9 miles (196.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 23m 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
134.91 mi
02h 41m
Flight
121.84 mi
196.09 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
121.84 mi
Kilometers
196.09 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
134.91 mi
Kilometers
217.11 km
Drive Time
02h 41m

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 41m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Studio City
Tue, Sep 15, 8:38 PM PDT
Return by in San Diego
Tue, Sep 15, 11:20 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave San Diego
2026-09-15T17:57
Arrive Studio City
Tue, Sep 15, 8:38 PM PDT
Route Timing
02h 41m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:42 AM to 12:42 PM PDT

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

Leave by
1:06 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 Juan Capistrano
CA

City in Orange County, California, United States

From San Diego
67.5 mi
01h 20m
To Studio City
67.4 mi
01h 20m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
76°F
Tuesday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Tue, Sep 15 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph S
Destination
78°F
Tuesday

Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, Sep 15 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between San Diego and Studio City.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between San Diego and Studio City.

  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 left to continue on San Diego Freeway

    7.4 mi · 9 min · San Diego Freeway

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on Bake Parkway

    1.6 mi · 2 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight right

    6 mi · 7 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Jamboree Road

    1266 ft · 17 sec

  12. 12

    Continue straight

    527 ft · 11 sec

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Jamboree Road

    760 ft · 18 sec · Jamboree Road

  14. 14

    Turn left onto El Camino Real

    2.2 mi · 5 min · El Camino Real

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Newport Avenue

    109 m · 14 sec · Newport Avenue

  16. 16

    Take the ramp right toward I 5 North: Los Angeles

    1127 ft · 17 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway

    1.3 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway

  18. 18

    Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway

    1.7 mi · 2 min · Santa Ana Freeway

  19. 19

    Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway

    9.4 mi · 11 min · Santa Ana Freeway

  20. 20

    Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway

    18 mi · 21 min · Santa Ana Freeway

  21. 21

    Keep slight right to continue on Golden State Freeway

    10.7 mi · 13 min · Golden State Freeway

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 134 West: Ventura Freeway, Ventura

    1842 ft · 24 sec

  23. 23

    Merge slight right onto Ventura Freeway

    2950 ft · 38 sec · Ventura Freeway

  24. 24

    Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway

    1.9 mi · 2 min · Ventura Freeway

  25. 25

    Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway

    1.2 km · 53 sec · Ventura Freeway

  26. 26

    Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway

    2.9 mi · 3 min · Ventura Freeway

  27. 27

    Take the exit slight right toward Laurel Canyon Boulevard, Studio City

    1249 ft · 38 sec

  28. 28

    Turn left onto Laurel Canyon Boulevard

    2282 ft · 60 sec · Laurel Canyon Boulevard

  29. 29

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Laurel Canyon Boulevard

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between San Diego and Studio City.

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
29 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
3 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
21.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
San Diego Freeway
75.2 mi · 56%
Santa Ana Freeway
30.4 mi · 23%
Golden State Freeway
10.7 mi · 8%
Bake Parkway
7.61 mi · 6%
Ventura Freeway
6.14 mi · 5%
El Camino Real
2.22 mi · 2%
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 41m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13 mi
121.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
San Juan Capistrano
01h 20m from San Diego
Leave By
1:06 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving San Diego and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near Studio City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from San Diego to Studio City?

The road trip is about 134.9 miles (217.1 km) and usually takes 02h 41m 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 Juan Capistrano is a useful midpoint, sitting about 67.5 miles from San Diego and 67.4 miles from Studio City.

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

The direct path is about 121.9 miles (196.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 13 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 1:06 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.56 one way or $57.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around San Diego and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near Studio City.

Stop Ideas Near San Juan Capistrano

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 Juan Capistrano and the surrounding midpoint area.
Blue Lantern Inn, A Four Sisters Inn
Coffee break 4.7 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 4.5 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
City of Lake Forest
Practical stop 9.3 mi away

City of Lake Forest

San Juan Capistrano
Rating 4.8/5 12 reviews Government office,Service establishment
Laguna Niguel City Hall
Meeting point 2.9 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

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to San Juan Capistrano.

RAIL

San Juan Capistrano

26701 Verdugo Street
RAIL

San Clemente Pier station

10 mi away
Avenida del Mar and Avenida Victoria
RAIL

Irvine Transportation Center

21 mi away
15215 Barranca Parkway
RAIL

Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center

33 mi away
1000 East Santa Ana Boulevard

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between San Diego and Studio City. Straight-line distance: 121.84 mi (196.09 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
Photo coming soon

#2 Studio City

Situated in the southeast San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles County, this neighborhood lies at an elevation of 610 feet just north of the Hollywood Hills.

Population0
Coordinates34.1486200, -118.3964700
Altitude186
CountryUnited States
Start: San Diego (-117.16472, 32.71571)
End: Studio City (-118.39647, 34.14862)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 217 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 29m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 22m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 41m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 14m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 55m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 40m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.76 gal
18.02 L · about $28.56
Round trip
$57.13
9.52 gal · 36.04 L
Estimated CO2
42.3 kg one way
Round trip: 84.6 kg / 187 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $6.00 $28.56 $57.13
Mid-grade $6.22 $29.59 $59.19
Premium $6.42 $30.56 $61.13
Diesel $8.15 $38.81 $77.63

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 · Sep 15, 2026

There is no time difference between San Diego and Studio City. The current time is 17:57:09.

Distance to Other Cities

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