How far is Ventura, CA from Chula Vista, CA?

The driving distance from Ventura, CA to Chula Vista, CA is about 198.3 miles (319.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 32m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 170.4 miles (274.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 05m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
198.25 mi
03h 32m
Flight
170.36 mi
274.17 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Ventura.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
170.36 mi
Kilometers
274.17 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
198.25 mi
Kilometers
319.06 km
Drive Time
03h 32m

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 03h 32m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chula Vista
Sat, May 2, 2:14 AM PDT
Return by in Ventura
Sat, May 2, 5:47 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ventura
2026-05-01T22:41
Arrive Chula Vista
Sat, May 2, 2:14 AM PDT
Route Timing
03h 32m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:33 AM to 11:33 AM PDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:54 AM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Ventura
9:00 PM PDT
Early departure recommended

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
Fountain Valley
CA

A city in Orange County, California.

From Ventura
98.9 mi
01h 46m
To Chula Vista
99.4 mi
01h 46m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
66°F
Friday

Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SW
Destination
68°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ventura and Chula Vista.

  1. 1

    Start on South California Street

    8 m · 8 sec · South California Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East Thompson Boulevard

    109 m · 10 sec · East Thompson Boulevard

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right toward US 101 South: Los Angeles

    2346 ft · 57 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Ventura Freeway

    50.5 mi · 58 min · Ventura Freeway

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 405 North, I 405 South: Sacramento, Santa Monica

    758 ft · 19 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on I 405 South: San Diego Freeway, Santa Monica

    1584 ft · 39 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 405 South: San Diego Freeway

    553 ft · 14 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway

    13.3 mi · 15 min · San Diego Freeway

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway

    26.5 mi · 31 min · San Diego Freeway

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway

    2.3 mi · 3 min · San Diego Freeway

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway

    893 ft · 12 sec · San Diego Freeway

  12. 12

    Keep slight left

    10.3 mi · 12 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on Corona Del Mar Freeway

    4 mi · 5 min · Corona Del Mar Freeway

  14. 14

    Continue on San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

    10.3 mi · 12 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

  15. 15

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

    133 m · 6 sec

  16. 16

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

    2519 ft · 33 sec

  17. 17

    Keep slight left to continue on CA 73 South

    3218 ft · 42 sec

  18. 18

    Merge slight left onto San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

    2.5 mi · 3 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

  19. 19

    Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway

    53.7 mi · 1 hr 3 min · San Diego Freeway

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight left

    1.3 km · 55 sec

  21. 21

    Continue on Jacob Dekema Freeway

    18.6 mi · 21 min · Jacob Dekema Freeway

  22. 22

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

    1234 ft · 30 sec

  23. 23

    Keep slight right to continue on CA 54 West

    1631 ft · 40 sec

  24. 24

    Merge slight left onto South Bay Freeway

    2230 ft · 27 sec · South Bay Freeway

  25. 25

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

    1451 ft · 44 sec

  26. 26

    Turn left onto Highland Avenue

    1711 ft · 31 sec · Highland Avenue

  27. 27

    Continue on 4th Avenue

    1.5 km · 2 min · 4th Avenue

  28. 28

    Turn right onto F Street

    98 m · 34 sec · F Street

  29. 29

    Continue on F Street

    83 m · 5 sec · F Street

  30. 30

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · F Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Ventura 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
30 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
11
5 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
San Diego Freeway
107 mi · 54%
Ventura Freeway
50.5 mi · 25%
Jacob Dekema Freeway
18.6 mi · 9%
San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
12.8 mi · 6%
Corona Del Mar Freeway
4 mi · 2%
CA 73 South
1.09 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

San Diego Freeway

Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway

53.7 mi · 01h 03m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 32m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27.9 mi
170.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Fountain Valley
01h 46m from Ventura
Leave By
9:54 AM PDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Ventura 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 Ventura to Chula Vista?

The road trip is about 198.3 miles (319.1 km) and usually takes 03h 32m 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?

Fountain Valley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 98.9 miles from Ventura and 99.4 miles from Chula Vista.

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

The direct path is about 170.4 miles (274.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.9 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 9:54 AM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.38 one way or $80.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 62.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Fountain Valley

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 Fountain Valley and the surrounding midpoint area.
Newport Beach Municipal Operations
Scenic stop 7.1 mi away

Newport Beach Municipal Operations

Newport Beach , CA
592 Superior Ave, Newport Beach, CA 92663, United States
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews City government office,Government office,Park
City of Tustin Parks & Recreation
Meeting point 9.2 mi away

City of Tustin Parks & Recreation

Tustin , CA
300 Centennial Way, Tustin, CA 92780, United States
Rating 5.0/5 4 reviews City government office
bamboo house
Nearby stop 5.5 mi away

bamboo house

Garden Grove , CA
12242 Tamerlane Dr, Garden Grove, CA 92840, United States
Rating 4.9/5 20 reviews Hostel

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Fountain Valley.

RAIL

Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center

10 mi away
1000 East Santa Ana Boulevard
RAIL

Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center

12 mi away
2150 East Katella Avenue
RAIL

Irvine Transportation Center

18 mi away
15215 Barranca Parkway
RAIL

Fullerton Transportation Center

18 mi away
120 East Santa Fe Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ventura and Chula Vista. Straight-line distance: 170.36 mi (274.17 km).

Ventura

#1 Ventura

The most populous city in Ventura County, California.

Population96,769
Coordinates34.2783400, -119.2931700
Altitude11
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: South California Street (-119.293101, 34.27834)
End: F Street (-117.084196, 32.640039)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 319 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 36m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 57m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 57m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 18m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 49m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 28m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7 gal
26.48 L · about $40.38
Round trip
$80.77
14 gal · 52.96 L
Estimated CO2
62.2 kg one way
Round trip: 124.4 kg / 274 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $40.38 $80.77
Mid-grade $6.07 $42.46 $84.92
Premium $6.24 $43.70 $87.40
Diesel $7.57 $52.97 $105.94

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 · May 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Ventura and Chula Vista. The current time is 22:41:49.

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.