How far is Seal Beach, CA from Chula Vista, CA?

The driving distance from Seal Beach, CA to Chula Vista, CA is about 109.6 miles (176.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 51m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 96.3 miles (155 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 43m 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
109.6 mi
01h 51m
Flight
96.29 mi
154.97 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Seal Beach.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
96.29 mi
Kilometers
154.97 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
109.6 mi
Kilometers
176.38 km
Drive Time
01h 51m

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 51m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chula Vista
Sat, Apr 18, 11:55 PM PDT
Return by in Seal Beach
Sun, Apr 19, 1:47 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Seal Beach
2026-04-18T22:04
Arrive Chula Vista
Sat, Apr 18, 11:55 PM PDT
Route Timing
01h 51m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:52 AM to 11:52 AM PDT

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

Leave by
2:46 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Seal Beach
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
Oceanside
CA

The second most populous city in San Diego County, California.

From Seal Beach
54 mi
00h 55m
To Chula Vista
55.6 mi
00h 55m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
Seal Beach Weather
CA
Live fallback forecast
76°F
Saturday
Using Rossmoor as the closest live forecast in the Orange County weather hub.

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SW
Destination
71°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Seal Beach and Chula Vista.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Seal Beach and Chula Vista.

  1. 1

    Start on Main Street

    1269 ft · 36 sec · Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Pacific Coast Highway

    2497 ft · 57 sec · Pacific Coast Highway

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Seal Beach Boulevard

    1.7 mi · 3 min · Seal Beach Boulevard

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Westminster Boulevard

    3.1 mi · 5 min · Westminster Boulevard

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 405 South

    1372 ft · 36 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway

    8.4 mi · 10 min · San Diego Freeway

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on Corona Del Mar Freeway

    4 mi · 5 min · Corona Del Mar Freeway

  8. 8

    Continue on San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

    10.3 mi · 12 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward La Paz Road, Moulton Parkway

    133 m · 6 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on CA 73 South: Moulton Parkway

    2519 ft · 33 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on CA 73 South

    3218 ft · 42 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

    2.5 mi · 3 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway

    53.7 mi · 1 hr 3 min · San Diego Freeway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight left

    1.3 km · 55 sec

  15. 15

    Continue on Jacob Dekema Freeway

    18.6 mi · 21 min · Jacob Dekema Freeway

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 54 East, CA 54 West

    1234 ft · 30 sec

  17. 17

    Keep slight right to continue on CA 54 West

    1631 ft · 40 sec

  18. 18

    Merge slight left onto South Bay Freeway

    2230 ft · 27 sec · South Bay Freeway

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward Highland Avenue, 4th Avenue

    1451 ft · 44 sec

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Highland Avenue

    1711 ft · 31 sec · Highland Avenue

  21. 21

    Continue on 4th Avenue

    1.5 km · 2 min · 4th Avenue

  22. 22

    Turn right onto F Street

    98 m · 34 sec · F Street

  23. 23

    Continue on F Street

    83 m · 5 sec · F Street

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · F Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Seal Beach and Chula Vista.

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
24 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
4 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
21.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
San Diego Freeway
62.9 mi · 57%
Jacob Dekema Freeway
18.6 mi · 17%
San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
12.8 mi · 12%
Corona Del Mar Freeway
4 mi · 4%
Westminster Boulevard
3.12 mi · 3%
Seal Beach Boulevard
1.72 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

San Diego Freeway

Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway

53.7 mi · 01h 03m

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
01h 51m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 44m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.3 mi
96.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Oceanside
00h 55m from Seal Beach
Leave By
2:46 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Seal Beach and Mostly Sunny near Chula Vista.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Seal Beach to Chula Vista?

The road trip is about 109.6 miles (176.4 km) and usually takes 01h 51m 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 54 miles from Seal Beach and 55.6 miles from Chula Vista.

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

The direct path is about 96.3 miles (155 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:46 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.33 one way or $44.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 34.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Seal Beach and Mostly Sunny near Chula Vista.

Stop Ideas Near Oceanside

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 Oceanside and the surrounding midpoint area.
Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort
Stay option 12.6 mi away

Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort

Carlsbad , CA
3075 Carlsbad Blvd #2906, Carlsbad, CA 92008, United States
Rating 4.5/5 1,778 reviews Resort hotel,Indoor lodging
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 12.6 mi away

San Clemente Business Licenses

San Clemente , CA
910 Calle Negocio # 100, San Clemente, CA 92673, United States
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews City government office
City of San Clemente City Hall
Nearby stop 12.6 mi away

City of San Clemente City Hall

San Clemente , CA
910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, CA 92673, United States
Rating 3.7/5 3 reviews Corporate office,City or town hall
Carlsbad Village Inn
Stay option 12.5 mi away

Carlsbad Village Inn

Carlsbad , CA
1006 Carlsbad Village Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92008, United States
Rating 3.8/5 1,043 reviews Motel,Hotel

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Oceanside.

RAIL

Oceanside Transit Center

235 South Tremont Street
RAIL

Carlsbad Village station

5 mi away
2775 State Street
RAIL

Carlsbad Poinsettia, CA

11 mi away
6511 Avenida Encinas
RAIL

Encinitas, CA

18 mi away
25 East D Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Seal Beach and Chula Vista. Straight-line distance: 96.29 mi (154.97 km).

Seal Beach

#1 Seal Beach

City in Organg County, California, United States

Population23,887
Coordinates33.7414100, -118.1047900
Altitude4
CountryUnited States
Chula Vista

#2 Chula Vista

The second most populous city in San Diego County, California.

Population272,979
Coordinates32.6400500, -117.0842000
Altitude21
CountryUnited States
Start: Main Street (-118.104774, 33.74144)
End: F Street (-117.084196, 32.640039)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 176 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 39m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 44m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 11m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 49m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 33m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 22m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.87 gal
14.64 L · about $22.33
Round trip
$44.65
7.74 gal · 29.28 L
Estimated CO2
34.4 kg one way
Round trip: 68.8 kg / 152 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $22.33 $44.65
Mid-grade $6.07 $23.48 $46.95
Premium $6.24 $24.16 $48.32
Diesel $7.57 $29.28 $58.57

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

There is no time difference between Seal Beach and Chula Vista. The current time is 22:04:17.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

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