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

The driving distance from Solana Beach, CA to Chula Vista, CA is about 29.7 miles (47.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 33m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 26.6 miles (42.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 07m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
29.7 mi
00h 33m
Flight
26.58 mi
42.77 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Solana Beach.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
26.58 mi
Kilometers
42.77 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
29.7 mi
Kilometers
47.8 km
Drive Time
00h 33m

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 00h 33m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chula Vista
Sun, Apr 19, 8:43 AM PDT
Return by in Solana Beach
Sun, Apr 19, 9:17 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Solana Beach
2026-04-19T08:10
Arrive Chula Vista
Sun, Apr 19, 8:43 AM PDT
Route Timing
00h 33m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:34 AM to 7:34 PM PDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:22 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Solana Beach
10:00 PM PDT
Flexible departure

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
San Diego
CA

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

From Solana Beach
14.5 mi
00h 16m
To Chula Vista
15.2 mi
00h 16m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
66°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NW
Destination
70°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    88 m · 27 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Lomas Santa Fe Drive

    46 m · 5 sec · Lomas Santa Fe Drive

  3. 3

    Turn left onto South Coast Highway

    1.3 km · 2 min · South Coast Highway

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Via de la Valle

    1.3 km · 1 min · Via de la Valle

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 5 South: San Diego

    1543 ft · 40 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway

    5 mi · 6 min · San Diego Freeway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight left

    1.3 km · 55 sec

  8. 8

    Continue on Jacob Dekema Freeway

    18.6 mi · 21 min · Jacob Dekema Freeway

  9. 9

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

    1234 ft · 30 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on CA 54 West

    1631 ft · 40 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto South Bay Freeway

    2230 ft · 27 sec · South Bay Freeway

  12. 12

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

    1451 ft · 44 sec

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Highland Avenue

    1711 ft · 31 sec · Highland Avenue

  14. 14

    Continue on 4th Avenue

    1.5 km · 2 min · 4th Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn right onto F Street

    98 m · 34 sec · F Street

  16. 16

    Continue on F Street

    83 m · 5 sec · F Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · F Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
17 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
57.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Jacob Dekema Freeway
18.6 mi · 63%
San Diego Freeway
5.83 mi · 20%
4th Avenue
0.91 mi · 3%
South Coast Highway
0.82 mi · 3%
Via de la Valle
0.82 mi · 3%
Highland Avenue
0.6 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Jacob Dekema Freeway

Continue on Jacob Dekema Freeway

18.6 mi · 00h 21m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 33m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+3.1 mi
26.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
San Diego
00h 16m from Solana Beach
Leave By
7:22 PM PDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Solana 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 Solana Beach to Chula Vista?

The road trip is about 29.7 miles (47.8 km) and usually takes 00h 33m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

San Diego is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14.5 miles from Solana Beach and 15.2 miles from Chula Vista.

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

The direct path is about 26.6 miles (42.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.1 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:22 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.06 one way or $12.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near San Diego

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 San Diego and the surrounding midpoint area.
El Primero Boutique Hotel
Coffee break 13.3 mi away

El Primero Boutique Hotel

Chula Vista , CA
416 3rd Ave, Chula Vista, CA 91910, United States
Rating 4.7/5 266 reviews Hotel,Bed & breakfast,Motel
Crown City Inn
Food stop 8.7 mi away

Crown City Inn

Coronado , CA
520 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118, United States
Rating 4.6/5 225 reviews Hotel,Bistro,Restaurant
L'Auberge Del Mar
Stay option 11.6 mi away

L'Auberge Del Mar

Del Mar , CA
1540 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, CA 92014, United States
Rating 4.6/5 822 reviews Hotel,Resort hotel
San Diego County Administration Center
Meeting point 6.6 mi away

San Diego County Administration Center

San Diego , CA
1600 Pacific Hwy, San Diego, CA 92101, United States
Rating 4.6/5 20 reviews County government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to San Diego.

RAIL

Santa Fe Depot

1050 Kettner Blvd
RAIL

Old Town Transit Center

6 mi away
4005 Taylor Street
RAIL

Sorrento Valley station

22 mi away
11170 Sorrento Valley Road
RAIL

Solana Beach

32 mi away
105 North Cedros Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Solana Beach and Chula Vista. Straight-line distance: 26.58 mi (42.77 km).

Solana Beach

#1 Solana Beach

City in San Diego County, California, United States

Population13,190
Coordinates32.9911500, -117.2711500
Altitude22
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: (-117.270972, 32.991181)
End: F Street (-117.084196, 32.640039)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 48 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 59m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 44m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 35m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 29m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 25m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 22m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.05 gal
3.97 L · about $6.06
Round trip
$12.11
2.1 gal · 7.94 L
Estimated CO2
9.3 kg one way
Round trip: 18.7 kg / 41 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $6.06 $12.11
Mid-grade $6.07 $6.37 $12.74
Premium $6.24 $6.56 $13.11
Diesel $7.57 $7.95 $15.89

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 Solana Beach and Chula Vista. The current time is 08:10:08.

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.