How far is Taft, CA from Chula Vista, CA?
The driving distance from Taft, CA to Chula Vista, CA is about 252.5 miles (406.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 220 miles (354.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 38m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 19m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Taft and Chula Vista.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Taft and Chula Vista.
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1
Start on 4th Street
32 m · 10 sec · 4th Street
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2
Turn left onto Kern Street
1551 ft · 38 sec · Kern Street
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3
Continue on West Side Highway
6.3 mi · 9 min · West Side Highway
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4
Continue on California Street
2112 ft · 56 sec · California Street
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5
At the end of the road, turn left onto Poso Street
2486 ft · 50 sec · Poso Street
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6
Continue on Maricopa Highway
22.1 mi · 30 min · Maricopa Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right
2081 ft · 51 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
3.4 mi · 4 min · Westside Freeway
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9
Keep slight right
58.4 mi · 1 hr 7 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Golden State Freeway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 405 South
1354 ft · 18 sec
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12
Keep slight left
24.7 mi · 29 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Golden State Freeway
-
14
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
25.7 mi · 30 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1241 ft · 16 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
1.3 km · 57 sec
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17
Keep slight left
788 ft · 10 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South
981 ft · 13 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 km · 54 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.2 km · 52 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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21
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward Newport Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min
-
23
Turn right onto Newport Avenue
1943 ft · 44 sec · Newport Avenue
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24
Turn left onto Walnut Avenue
2.2 mi · 4 min · Walnut Avenue
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25
Turn left onto Jamboree Road
2595 ft · 38 sec · Jamboree Road
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26
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 South
1479 ft · 21 sec
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27
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
5.5 mi · 6 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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28
Keep slight left to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 km · 56 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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29
Merge slight right onto San Diego Freeway
62.4 mi · 1 hr 13 min · San Diego Freeway
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30
Take the exit slight left
1.3 km · 55 sec
-
31
Continue on Jacob Dekema Freeway
18.6 mi · 21 min · Jacob Dekema Freeway
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32
Take the exit slight right toward CA 54 East, CA 54 West
1234 ft · 30 sec
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33
Keep slight right to continue on CA 54 West
1631 ft · 40 sec
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34
Merge slight left onto South Bay Freeway
2230 ft · 27 sec · South Bay Freeway
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35
Take the exit slight right toward Highland Avenue, 4th Avenue
1451 ft · 44 sec
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36
Turn left onto Highland Avenue
1711 ft · 35 sec · Highland Avenue
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37
Continue on 4th Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · 4th Avenue
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38
Turn right onto F Street
98 m · 34 sec · F Street
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39
Continue on F Street
83 m · 5 sec · F Street
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40
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · F Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Taft and Chula Vista.
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 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.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Taft and Partly Sunny near Chula Vista.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Taft to Chula Vista?
The road trip is about 252.5 miles (406.4 km) and usually takes 04h 19m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
East Los Angeles is a useful midpoint, sitting about 123.4 miles from Taft and 129.1 miles from Chula Vista.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 220 miles (354.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:22 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $51.40 one way or $102.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 79.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Taft and Partly Sunny near Chula Vista.
Stop Ideas Near East Los Angeles
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Bell Gardens Inn Los Angeles
City of South El Monte City Hall
City of Los Angeles
City Of El Monte Public Works Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to East Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Union Station
Pasadena, California
Glendale Transportation Center
Westchester, CA
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Taft and Chula Vista. Straight-line distance: 220 mi (354.05 km).
#1 Taft
City in Kern County, California, United States
| Population | 8,488 |
| Coordinates | 35.1424700, -119.4565100 |
| Altitude | 291 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Chula Vista
The second most populous city in San Diego County, California.
| Population | 272,979 |
| Coordinates | 32.6400500, -117.0842000 |
| Altitude | 21 |
| Country | United States |
End: F Street (-117.084196, 32.640039)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 406 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $51.40 | $102.80 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $54.05 | $108.10 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $55.63 | $111.25 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $67.42 | $134.84 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.