How far is San Diego, CA from Tulare, CA?
The driving distance from San Diego, CA to Tulare, CA is about 294 miles (473.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 271.4 miles (436.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 16m 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 05h 38m.
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 Los Angeles County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Diego and Tulare.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Diego and Tulare.
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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 left to continue on Golden State Freeway
27.4 mi · 30 min · Golden State Freeway
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27
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
6 mi · 7 min · Golden State Freeway
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28
Continue on Golden State Highway
54.5 mi · 58 min · Golden State Highway
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29
Take the exit slight right toward CA 137: Tulare Avenue
1255 ft · 31 sec
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30
Turn left onto East Tulare Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · East Tulare Avenue
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31
Turn left onto South J Street
16 m · 1 sec · South J Street
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South J Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Diego and Tulare.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Golden State Highway
Continue on Golden State Highway
54.5 mi · 00h 58m
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.
Rain Showers Likely leaving San Diego and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy near Tulare.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Diego to Tulare?
The road trip is about 294 miles (473.1 km) and usually takes 05h 38m 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?
Santa Clarita is a useful midpoint, sitting about 147.1 miles from San Diego and 146.8 miles from Tulare.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 271.4 miles (436.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.6 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 5:44 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $65.19 one way or $130.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 100.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around San Diego and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy near Tulare.
Stop Ideas Near Santa Clarita
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Santa Clarita.
Santa Clarita-Newhall, California
Chatsworth station
Simi Valley
Van Nuys station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Diego and Tulare. Straight-line distance: 271.41 mi (436.79 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 Tulare
The most populous city in Tulare County, California.
| Population | 66,797 |
| Coordinates | 36.2077300, -119.3473400 |
| Altitude | 88 |
| Country | United States |
End: Tulare (-119.34734, 36.20773)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 473 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $65.19 | $130.38 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $68.55 | $137.09 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $70.55 | $141.09 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $85.51 | $171.01 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.