How far is San Diego, CA from Taft, CA?
The driving distance from San Diego, CA to Taft, CA is about 239.2 miles (384.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 213 miles (342.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 36m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 48m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 second most populous city in the United States and the center of the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Clear
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Diego and Taft.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Diego and Taft.
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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 left to continue on San Diego Freeway
7.4 mi · 9 min · San Diego Freeway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Bake Parkway
1.6 mi · 2 min
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10
Keep slight right
6 mi · 7 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Jamboree Road
1266 ft · 17 sec
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12
Continue straight
527 ft · 11 sec
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13
Turn right onto Jamboree Road
760 ft · 18 sec · Jamboree Road
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14
Turn left onto El Camino Real
2.2 mi · 5 min · El Camino Real
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15
Turn left onto Newport Avenue
109 m · 14 sec · Newport Avenue
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16
Take the ramp right toward I 5 North: Los Angeles
1127 ft · 17 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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18
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.7 mi · 2 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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19
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
9.4 mi · 11 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
18 mi · 21 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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21
Keep slight right to continue on Golden State Freeway
25.5 mi · 30 min · Golden State Freeway
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22
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Golden State Freeway
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23
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
1.5 mi · 2 min
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24
Keep slight left
36.1 mi · 42 min
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25
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
22.3 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway
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26
Keep slight right to continue on Westside Freeway
4.3 mi · 5 min · Westside Freeway
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27
Take the exit slight right toward CA 166: Maricopa, Taft
1271 ft · 39 sec
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28
Turn left onto Maricopa Highway
22.4 mi · 31 min · Maricopa Highway
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29
Continue on Poso Street
2486 ft · 54 sec · Poso Street
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30
Turn right onto California Street
2112 ft · 52 sec · California Street
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31
Continue on West Side Highway
5.7 mi · 8 min · West Side Highway
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32
Continue on Taft Highway
568 ft · 10 sec · Taft Highway
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33
Turn left onto West Side Highway
2407 ft · 52 sec · West Side Highway
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34
Continue on Kern Street
1551 ft · 40 sec · Kern Street
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35
Turn right onto 4th Street
32 m · 5 sec · 4th Street
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36
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 4th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Diego and Taft.
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 longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving San Diego and Mostly Clear near Taft.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Diego to Taft?
The road trip is about 239.2 miles (384.9 km) and usually takes 04h 48m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Los Angeles is a useful midpoint, sitting about 119.6 miles from San Diego and 119.5 miles from Taft.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 213 miles (342.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:24 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $48.69 one way or $97.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 75 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around San Diego and Mostly Clear near Taft.
Stop Ideas Near Los Angeles
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Bell Gardens Inn Los Angeles
City of South El Monte City Hall
City of Los Angeles
City Of El Monte Public Works Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Union Station
Glendale Transportation Center
Pasadena, California
Westchester, CA
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Diego and Taft. Straight-line distance: 213 mi (342.79 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 Taft
City in Kern County, California, United States
| Population | 8,488 |
| Coordinates | 35.1424700, -119.4565100 |
| Altitude | 291 |
| Country | United States |
End: Taft (-119.45651, 35.14247)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 385 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $48.69 | $97.38 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $51.20 | $102.39 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $52.69 | $105.38 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $63.87 | $127.73 |
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 · May 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.