How far is Sherman Oaks, CA from San Diego, CA?

The driving distance from Sherman Oaks, CA to San Diego, CA is about 140.6 miles (226.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 34m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 123.8 miles (199.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 09m 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
140.55 mi
02h 34m
Flight
123.78 mi
199.2 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Sherman Oaks.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
123.78 mi
Kilometers
199.2 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
140.55 mi
Kilometers
226.2 km
Drive Time
02h 34m

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 02h 34m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in San Diego
Thu, Oct 15, 8:04 PM PDT
Return by in Sherman Oaks
Thu, Oct 15, 10:39 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sherman Oaks
2026-10-15T17:29
Arrive San Diego
Thu, Oct 15, 8:04 PM PDT
Route Timing
02h 34m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:35 AM to 12:35 PM PDT

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

Leave by
1:20 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Sherman Oaks
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
Aliso Viejo
CA

A city in Orange County, California.

From Sherman Oaks
70.2 mi
01h 17m
To San Diego
70.3 mi
01h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph N
Destination
88°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 7:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph N

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Sherman Oaks and San Diego.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sherman Oaks and San Diego.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    11 m · 5 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Ventura Boulevard

    1.2 mi · 3 min · Ventura Boulevard

  3. 3

    Take the ramp right toward I 405 South

    777 ft · 21 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway

    13.2 mi · 15 min · San Diego Freeway

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway

    26.5 mi · 31 min · San Diego Freeway

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway

    2.3 mi · 3 min · San Diego Freeway

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway

    893 ft · 12 sec · San Diego Freeway

  8. 8

    Keep slight left

    10.3 mi · 12 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on Corona Del Mar Freeway

    4 mi · 5 min · Corona Del Mar Freeway

  10. 10

    Continue on San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

    10.3 mi · 12 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

  11. 11

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

    133 m · 6 sec

  12. 12

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

    2519 ft · 33 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on CA 73 South

    3218 ft · 42 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

    2.5 mi · 3 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway

    67.8 mi · 1 hr 19 min · San Diego Freeway

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward Front Street, Civic Center, 2nd Avenue

    1164 ft · 28 sec

  17. 17

    Keep slight right to continue on Front Street, Civic Center

    592 ft · 15 sec

  18. 18

    Continue on Front Street

    2662 ft · 2 min · Front Street

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Front Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Sherman Oaks and San Diego.

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
19 steps
1 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
San Diego Freeway
120 mi · 86%
San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
12.8 mi · 9%
Corona Del Mar Freeway
4 mi · 3%
Ventura Boulevard
1.15 mi · 1%
CA 73 South
1.09 mi · 1%
Front Street
0.84 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

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.

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
02h 34m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.8 mi
123.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Aliso Viejo
01h 17m from Sherman Oaks
Leave By
1:20 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Sherman Oaks and Sunny near San Diego.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Sherman Oaks to San Diego?

The road trip is about 140.6 miles (226.2 km) and usually takes 02h 34m 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?

Aliso Viejo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 70.2 miles from Sherman Oaks and 70.3 miles from San Diego.

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

The direct path is about 123.8 miles (199.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.8 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 1:20 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.05 one way or $62.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Sherman Oaks and Sunny near San Diego.

Stop Ideas Near Aliso Viejo

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 Aliso Viejo and the surrounding midpoint area.
Blue Lantern Inn, A Four Sisters Inn
Coffee break 6.6 mi away

Blue Lantern Inn, A Four Sisters Inn

Dana Point , CA
34343 Street of the Blue Lantern, Dana Point, CA 92629, United States
Rating 4.7/5 233 reviews Hotel,Bed & breakfast,Lodge
The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
Stay option 6.1 mi away

The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel

Dana Point , CA
One Ritz Carlton Dr, Dana Point, CA 92629, United States
Rating 4.6/5 2,544 reviews Hotel,Meeting planning service,Wedding venue
City of Lake Forest
Practical stop 6.9 mi away

City of Lake Forest

Aliso Viejo
Rating 4.8/5 12 reviews Government office,Service establishment
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 14.6 mi away

City of Costa Mesa Parks & Recreation Department

Costa Mesa , CA
77 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, United States
Rating 4.7/5 3 reviews City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Aliso Viejo.

RAIL

San Juan Capistrano

9 mi away
26701 Verdugo Street
RAIL

Irvine Transportation Center

13 mi away
15215 Barranca Parkway
RAIL

San Clemente Pier station

19 mi away
Avenida del Mar and Avenida Victoria
RAIL

Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center

24 mi away
1000 East Santa Ana Boulevard

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sherman Oaks and San Diego. Straight-line distance: 123.78 mi (199.2 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Sherman Oaks

Located in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles County, this urban and suburban neighborhood sits at an approximate elevation of 663 feet, bordered to the south by the Santa Monica Mountains.

Population0
Coordinates34.1511200, -118.4492500
Altitude202
CountryUnited States
San Diego

#2 San Diego

The eighth most populous city in the United States and the center of the San Diego metropolitan area.

Population1,422,420
Coordinates32.7157100, -117.1647200
Altitude20
CountryUnited States
Start: Ventura Boulevard (-118.449275, 34.151019)
End: Front Street (-117.164717, 32.71571)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 226 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 40m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 30m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 48m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 20m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 00m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 45m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.96 gal
18.77 L · about $31.05
Round trip
$62.11
9.92 gal · 37.54 L
Estimated CO2
44.1 kg one way
Round trip: 88.2 kg / 194 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $6.26 $31.05 $62.11
Mid-grade $6.50 $32.24 $64.47
Premium $6.69 $33.18 $66.35
Diesel $8.41 $41.73 $83.46

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 · Oct 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Sherman Oaks and San Diego. The current time is 17:29:07.

Distance to Other Cities

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