How far is San Diego, CA from Thousand Oaks, CA?
The driving distance from San Diego, CA to Thousand Oaks, CA is about 162.6 miles (261.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 139.3 miles (224.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 23m 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 03h 11m.
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.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Diego and Thousand Oaks.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Diego and Thousand Oaks.
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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
42.5 mi · 49 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 101 North, US 101 South: Ventura, Los Angeles
3062 ft · 1 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on US 101 North: Ventura
3235 ft · 1 min
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14
Merge slight right onto Ventura Freeway
22.1 mi · 26 min · Ventura Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Hampshire Road
782 ft · 10 sec
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Hampshire Road, Civic Arts Plaza, Thousand Oaks Boulevard
95 m · 4 sec
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17
Turn slight right onto Hampshire Road
865 ft · 23 sec · Hampshire Road
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18
Turn left onto East Thousand Oaks Boulevard
720 ft · 25 sec · East Thousand Oaks Boulevard
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19
Turn right
19 m · 5 sec
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Diego and Thousand Oaks.
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
42.5 mi · 00h 49m
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 Cloudy leaving San Diego and Mostly Sunny near Thousand Oaks.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Diego to Thousand Oaks?
The road trip is about 162.6 miles (261.7 km) and usually takes 03h 11m 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?
San Joaquin Hills is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81.3 miles from San Diego and 81.3 miles from Thousand Oaks.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 139.3 miles (224.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.3 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 10:36 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.11 one way or $66.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around San Diego and Mostly Sunny near Thousand Oaks.
Stop Ideas Near San Joaquin Hills
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Miraval Life in Balance Spa at Monarch Beach Resort
Newport Beach Municipal Operations
City of Lake Forest
City of Tustin Parks & Recreation
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to San Joaquin Hills.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Diego and Thousand Oaks. Straight-line distance: 139.3 mi (224.18 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 Thousand Oaks
The fifth most populous city in Ventura County, California.
| Population | 126,310 |
| Coordinates | 34.1705600, -118.8375900 |
| Altitude | 270 |
| Country | United States |
End: Thousand Oaks (-118.83759, 34.17056)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 262 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $33.11 | $66.23 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $34.82 | $69.64 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $35.83 | $71.67 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $43.43 | $86.87 |
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 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.