How far is Tulare, CA from Chula Vista, CA?
The driving distance from Tulare, CA to Chula Vista, CA is about 306.6 miles (493.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 278.2 miles (447.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 20m 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 05h 10m.
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.
City in California, USA
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 Tulare and Chula Vista.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tulare and Chula Vista.
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1
Start on South J Street
1780 ft · 38 sec · South J Street
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2
Continue on South K Street
2529 ft · 52 sec · South K Street
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3
Turn left onto East Bardsley Avenue
1.3 km · 2 min · East Bardsley Avenue
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4
Take the ramp right
1575 ft · 38 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Golden State Highway
53.5 mi · 57 min · Golden State Highway
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6
Continue on Golden State Freeway
5.2 mi · 6 min · Golden State Freeway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
27.4 mi · 30 min · Golden State Freeway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
58.2 mi · 1 hr 7 min · Golden State Freeway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Golden State Freeway
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on I 405 South
1354 ft · 18 sec
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11
Keep slight left
24.7 mi · 29 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Golden State Freeway
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13
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
25.7 mi · 30 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1241 ft · 16 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
1.3 km · 57 sec
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16
Keep slight left
788 ft · 10 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South
981 ft · 13 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 km · 54 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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19
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.2 km · 52 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward Newport Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min
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22
Turn right onto Newport Avenue
1943 ft · 44 sec · Newport Avenue
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23
Turn left onto Walnut Avenue
2.2 mi · 4 min · Walnut Avenue
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24
Turn left onto Jamboree Road
2595 ft · 38 sec · Jamboree Road
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25
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 South
1479 ft · 21 sec
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26
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
5.5 mi · 6 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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27
Keep slight left to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 km · 56 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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28
Merge slight right onto San Diego Freeway
62.4 mi · 1 hr 13 min · San Diego Freeway
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29
Take the exit slight left
1.3 km · 55 sec
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30
Continue on Jacob Dekema Freeway
18.6 mi · 21 min · Jacob Dekema Freeway
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31
Take the exit slight right toward CA 54 East, CA 54 West
1234 ft · 30 sec
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32
Keep slight right to continue on CA 54 West
1631 ft · 40 sec
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33
Merge slight left onto South Bay Freeway
2230 ft · 27 sec · South Bay Freeway
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34
Take the exit slight right toward Highland Avenue, 4th Avenue
1451 ft · 44 sec
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35
Turn left onto Highland Avenue
1711 ft · 35 sec · Highland Avenue
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36
Continue on 4th Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · 4th Avenue
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37
Turn right onto F Street
98 m · 34 sec · F Street
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38
Continue on F Street
83 m · 5 sec · F Street
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39
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · F Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Tulare and Chula Vista.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
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 Tulare 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 Tulare to Chula Vista?
The road trip is about 306.6 miles (493.4 km) and usually takes 05h 10m 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?
San Fernando is a useful midpoint, sitting about 150.7 miles from Tulare and 155.8 miles from Chula Vista.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 278.2 miles (447.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.4 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 6:40 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $62.42 one way or $124.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 96.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Tulare and Partly Sunny near Chula Vista.
Stop Ideas Near San Fernando
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to San Fernando.
Van Nuys station
Burbank Airport–South station
Santa Clarita-Newhall, California
Chatsworth station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Tulare and Chula Vista. Straight-line distance: 278.19 mi (447.7 km).
#1 Tulare
The most populous city in Tulare County, California.
| Population | 66,797 |
| Coordinates | 36.2077300, -119.3473400 |
| Altitude | 88 |
| 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: 493 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $62.42 | $124.84 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $65.63 | $131.27 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $67.55 | $135.10 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $81.87 | $163.75 |
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.