How far is South Pasadena, CA from Chula Vista, CA?

The driving distance from South Pasadena, CA to Chula Vista, CA is about 129.6 miles (208.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 20m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 119.1 miles (191.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 41m 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
129.57 mi
02h 20m
Flight
119.1 mi
191.67 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from South Pasadena.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
119.1 mi
Kilometers
191.67 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
129.57 mi
Kilometers
208.52 km
Drive Time
02h 20m

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 20m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chula Vista
Sat, Apr 18, 11:51 AM PDT
Return by in South Pasadena
Sat, Apr 18, 2:12 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave South Pasadena
2026-04-18T09:31
Arrive Chula Vista
Sat, Apr 18, 11:51 AM PDT
Route Timing
02h 20m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:21 AM to 12:21 PM PDT

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

Leave by
1:48 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in South Pasadena
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

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 Clemente
CA

The most populous city in Orange County, California.

From South Pasadena
65.2 mi
01h 10m
To Chula Vista
64.4 mi
01h 10m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph S
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 South Pasadena and Chula Vista.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between South Pasadena and Chula Vista.

  1. 1

    Start on Fair Oaks Avenue

    1.2 km · 2 min · Fair Oaks Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn slight right

    134 m · 18 sec

  3. 3

    Turn straight onto Huntington Drive

    88 m · 13 sec · Huntington Drive

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Fremont Avenue

    1.9 mi · 4 min · Fremont Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn right onto West Valley Boulevard

    3146 ft · 1 min · West Valley Boulevard

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Long Beach Freeway

    4 mi · 5 min · Long Beach Freeway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight left toward I 5 South: Santa Ana

    1984 ft · 48 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight right onto Santa Ana Freeway

    23.5 mi · 27 min · Santa Ana Freeway

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway

    1241 ft · 16 sec · Santa Ana Freeway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana

    1.3 km · 57 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left

    788 ft · 10 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South

    981 ft · 13 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway

    1.3 km · 54 sec · Santa Ana Freeway

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway

    1.2 km · 52 sec · Santa Ana Freeway

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway

    1.2 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward Newport Avenue

    1.2 km · 1 min

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Newport Avenue

    1943 ft · 44 sec · Newport Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Walnut Avenue

    2.2 mi · 4 min · Walnut Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Jamboree Road

    2595 ft · 38 sec · Jamboree Road

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward I 5 South

    1479 ft · 21 sec

  21. 21

    Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway

    5.5 mi · 6 min · Santa Ana Freeway

  22. 22

    Keep slight left to continue on Santa Ana Freeway

    1.3 km · 56 sec · Santa Ana Freeway

  23. 23

    Merge slight right onto San Diego Freeway

    62.4 mi · 1 hr 13 min · San Diego Freeway

  24. 24

    Take the exit slight left

    1.3 km · 55 sec

  25. 25

    Continue on Jacob Dekema Freeway

    18.6 mi · 21 min · Jacob Dekema Freeway

  26. 26

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

    1234 ft · 30 sec

  27. 27

    Keep slight right to continue on CA 54 West

    1631 ft · 40 sec

  28. 28

    Merge slight left onto South Bay Freeway

    2230 ft · 27 sec · South Bay Freeway

  29. 29

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

    1451 ft · 44 sec

  30. 30

    Turn left onto Highland Avenue

    1711 ft · 31 sec · Highland Avenue

  31. 31

    Continue on 4th Avenue

    1.5 km · 2 min · 4th Avenue

  32. 32

    Turn right onto F Street

    98 m · 34 sec · F Street

  33. 33

    Continue on F Street

    83 m · 5 sec · F Street

  34. 34

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · F Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between South Pasadena 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
34 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
12
5 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
26.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
San Diego Freeway
63.2 mi · 49%
Santa Ana Freeway
32.7 mi · 25%
Jacob Dekema Freeway
18.6 mi · 14%
Long Beach Freeway
4.03 mi · 3%
Walnut Avenue
2.2 mi · 2%
Fremont Avenue
1.88 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

San Diego Freeway

Merge slight right onto San Diego Freeway

62.4 mi · 01h 13m

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 20m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.5 mi
119.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
San Clemente
01h 10m from South Pasadena
Leave By
1:48 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving South Pasadena 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 South Pasadena to Chula Vista?

The road trip is about 129.6 miles (208.5 km) and usually takes 02h 20m 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?

San Clemente is a useful midpoint, sitting about 65.2 miles from South Pasadena and 64.4 miles from Chula Vista.

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

The direct path is about 119.1 miles (191.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.5 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 1:48 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.36 one way or $52.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around South Pasadena and Mostly Sunny near Chula Vista.

Stop Ideas Near San Clemente

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 Clemente 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 7.6 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
Laguna Niguel City Hall
Meeting point 9.6 mi away

Laguna Niguel City Hall

Laguna Niguel , CA
30111 Crown Valley Pkwy, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677, United States
Rating 4.4/5 7 reviews City or town hall,City government office
Doheny State Beach Campground
Nearby stop 5.2 mi away

Doheny State Beach Campground

Dana Point , CA
34381 Pacific Coast Hwy, Dana Point, CA 92629, United States
Rating 4.3/5 53 reviews Campground,Public beach

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

San Clemente Pier station

1 mi away
Avenida del Mar and Avenida Victoria
RAIL

San Juan Capistrano

10 mi away
26701 Verdugo Street
RAIL

Irvine Transportation Center

31 mi away
15215 Barranca Parkway
RAIL

Oceanside Transit Center

34 mi away
235 South Tremont Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between South Pasadena and Chula Vista. Straight-line distance: 119.1 mi (191.67 km).

South Pasadena

#1 South Pasadena

City in Los Angeles County, California, United States

Population24,995
Coordinates34.1161200, -118.1503500
Altitude201
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: Fair Oaks Avenue (-118.150332, 34.11612)
End: F Street (-117.084196, 32.640039)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 209 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 19m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 14m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 35m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 09m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 51m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 36m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.57 gal
17.31 L · about $26.36
Round trip
$52.73
9.14 gal · 34.62 L
Estimated CO2
40.6 kg one way
Round trip: 81.2 kg / 179 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $26.36 $52.73
Mid-grade $6.07 $27.72 $55.44
Premium $6.24 $28.53 $57.06
Diesel $7.57 $34.58 $69.16

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between South Pasadena and Chula Vista. The current time is 09:31:00.

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.