How far is San Joaquin Hills, CA from San Diego, CA?
The driving distance from San Joaquin Hills, CA to San Diego, CA is about 82 miles (131.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 73.1 miles (117.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 52m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 26m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 San Diego County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Joaquin Hills and San Diego.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Joaquin Hills and San Diego.
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1
Start on Villeneuve
32 m · 4 sec · Villeneuve
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2
Continue on Versailles
570 ft · 27 sec · Versailles
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3
Turn right onto Clermont
554 ft · 30 sec · Clermont
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4
Turn left onto Menton
60 m · 11 sec · Menton
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5
Turn right onto Newport Ridge Drive East
2617 ft · 1 min · Newport Ridge Drive East
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6
Turn left onto San Joaquin Hills Road
1162 ft · 35 sec · San Joaquin Hills Road
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7
At the end of the road, turn left onto Newport Coast Drive
1.2 km · 1 min · Newport Coast Drive
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8
Take the ramp straight toward CA 73 Toll South: San Diego
2423 ft · 59 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
7.3 mi · 8 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
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10
Take the exit slight right toward La Paz Road, Moulton Parkway
133 m · 6 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on CA 73 South: Moulton Parkway
2519 ft · 33 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on CA 73 South
3218 ft · 42 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
2.5 mi · 3 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
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14
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
67.8 mi · 1 hr 19 min · San Diego Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Front Street, Civic Center, 2nd Avenue
1164 ft · 28 sec
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Front Street, Civic Center
592 ft · 15 sec
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17
Continue on Front Street
2662 ft · 2 min · Front Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Front Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Joaquin Hills and San Diego.
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
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
67.8 mi · 01h 19m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny leaving San Joaquin Hills and Mostly Sunny near San Diego.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Joaquin Hills to San Diego?
The road trip is about 82 miles (131.9 km) and usually takes 01h 26m 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?
Oceanside is a useful midpoint, sitting about 40.9 miles from San Joaquin Hills and 41.1 miles from San Diego.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 73.1 miles (117.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.9 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 3:38 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.67 one way or $33.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny around San Joaquin Hills and Mostly Sunny near San Diego.
Stop Ideas Near Oceanside
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Inn at Moonlight Beach
Omni La Costa Resort & Spa
Aviara Golf Club
Kate Stanton Inn Encinitas
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Oceanside.
Oceanside Transit Center
Carlsbad Village station
Carlsbad Poinsettia, CA
Encinitas, CA
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Joaquin Hills and San Diego. Straight-line distance: 73.1 mi (117.64 km).
#1 San Joaquin Hills
Census designated place
| Population | 3,176 |
| Coordinates | 33.6116900, -117.8367200 |
| Altitude | 190 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: Front Street (-117.164717, 32.71571)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 132 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $16.67 | $33.34 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $17.53 | $35.06 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $18.04 | $36.08 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $21.87 | $43.74 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.