Origin
Clearlake, CA
Afternoon in Clearlake on Sunday
Local time
12:27 PM
PDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clearlake, CA to San Diego, CA
Drive Time
11h 14m
Distance
580.7 mi
935 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$134
one way
Clearlake, CA
Dominik Gryzbon
San Diego, CA
Lindsey Willard
Trip Overview
Traveling from Clearlake to San Diego covers 610 miles and typically takes about 9 hours and 31 minutes of pure drive time. Because this is a substantial journey across the Pacific Coast region, you should plan for at least two days on the road to keep your transit manageable. Budgeting around $83 for fuel is a smart move before you head out. While the trip is feasible for experienced drivers, splitting the mileage into two legs makes for a much more relaxed experience. Whether you are moving between these two California hubs or just passing through, understanding the time commitment is essential for a successful departure.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
290.3 miles from Clearlake, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 40m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a long-distance profile that transitions across various road types rather than relying on a single corridor. Your journey utilizes Lincoln Avenue and Polk Avenue, weaving through the route as you navigate toward Southern California. Since this trip features a 0% highway share, you will be spending your time on local roads rather than high-speed interstates. This requires a different level of focus, especially since your longest uninterrupted stretch on Lincoln Avenue is 0 miles. Be prepared for a driving experience that favors steady, deliberate travel over the rapid pace of major freeways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 56 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Westside Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 224.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 112.6 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 41 significant decision points across 580.7 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 112.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 436.9 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 41 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
112.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 26m in
Take the exit toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 30A
Toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
8
112.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
8
436.9 mi into trip
|
~8h 22m in
|
I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 405 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 158
Toward I 405 South
8
461.9 mi into trip
|
~8h 51m in
|
I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Golden State Freeway toward CA 60 East, I 5 South: Pomona, Soto Street, Santa Ana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward CA 60 East, I 5 South: Pomona, Soto Stre...
8
496.3 mi into trip
|
~9h 34m in
|
Jamboree Road
Turn left onto Jamboree Road toward CA 261 Toll North: Jamboree Road, Riverside
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward CA 261 Toll North: Jamboree Road, Rivers...
Towns Along This Route
Between Clearlake, CA and San Diego, CA, road signs point toward San Jose, Stockton, Santa Ana, Broadway and Riverside.
San Jose
84.3 mi in
|
~1h 54m
|
via I 780
Stockton
112.6 mi in
|
~2h 26m
Santa Ana
461.9 mi in
|
~8h 51m
|
via I 5
Broadway
489.1 mi in
|
~9h 23m
Riverside
496.3 mi in
|
~9h 34m
|
via Jamboree Road
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 224.4 mi | 4h |
| I 5 Truck | 83.3 mi | 1h 36m |
| San Diego Freeway | 76.5 mi | 1h 29m |
| Santa Ana Freeway | 35 mi | 40m |
| CA 29 | 32 mi | 47m |
| Saint Helena Highway South | 21.7 mi | 25m |
| Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway | 19.2 mi | 22m |
| William Elton Brown Freeway | 17 mi | 18m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 224.4 mi, about 4h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clearlake, CA and San Diego, CA.
1
Start on Duncan Avenue
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
Duncan Avenue
2
Continue on Lincoln Avenue
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Lincoln Avenue
3
Turn right onto Polk Avenue
331 ft
·
18 sec
·
Polk Avenue
4
Turn right onto CA 53
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
CA 53
5
Continue on CA 29
10 mi
·
15 min
·
CA 29
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
6
Enter roundabout onto CA 29
48 ft
·
0 sec
·
CA 29
7
Continue on CA 29
22 mi
·
32 min
·
CA 29
8
Turn left onto CA 29; CA 128
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Saint Helena Highway
9
Continue on CA 29; CA 128
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
10
Continue on CA 29; CA 128
22 mi
·
25 min
·
Saint Helena Highway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on CA 12; CA 29
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Napa–Vallejo Highway
12
Continue on CA 29
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Broadway Street
13
Continue on CA 29
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Sonoma Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on CA 29
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Sonoma Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn left onto Redwood Street
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Redwood Street
Use the left / uturn lanes.
16
Turn right onto US 40 Hist
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Broadway Street
17
Turn slight left onto US 40 Hist
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Alameda Street
18
Turn left onto Curtola Parkway
7.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Curtola Parkway
Use the straight lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 780
0.7 mi
·
46 sec
·
I 780
Exit 7B
Toward I 680 South: Martinez, San Jose
20
Continue on I 680
8.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Benicia-Martinez Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 680
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Donald D Doyle Highway
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Donald D Doyle Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 30A
Toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 580: Stockton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Merge onto I 580
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
28
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
11 mi
·
11 min
·
William Elton Brown Freeway
30
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
William Elton Brown Freeway
31
Merge onto I 5
224 mi
·
4 hr
·
Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
·
I 5 Truck
Exit 158
Toward I 405 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
25 mi
·
29 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Toward CA 60 East, I 5 South: Pomona, Soto Street, Santa Ana
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
37
Merge onto I 5
26 mi
·
30 min
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
57 sec
Toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
Toward I 5 South
42
Merge onto I 5
0.8 mi
·
54 sec
·
Santa Ana Freeway
43
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi
·
52 sec
·
Santa Ana Freeway
44
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
45
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 102
Toward Newport Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
46
Turn right onto Newport Avenue
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
Newport Avenue
Use the right lane.
47
Turn left onto Walnut Avenue
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Walnut Avenue
48
Turn left onto Jamboree Road
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
·
Jamboree Road
Toward CA 261 Toll North: Jamboree Road, Riverside
Use the left lane.
49
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I 5 South
50
Merge onto I 5
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
51
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
52
Merge onto I 5
76 mi
·
1 hr 29 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
53
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 17
Toward Front Street, Civic Center, 2nd Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
54
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward Front Street, Civic Center
55
Continue on Front Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Front Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
56
Arrive at destination
Front Street
Trip Plan
To tackle this 610-mile trek effectively, you should build in at least two dedicated stops to break up the 9-hour and 31-minute duration. Since you are navigating local roads like Polk Avenue, keep a close eye on your navigation to ensure you remain on track through the various turns. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue and manage the lengthy distance before sunset. If you choose to split the trip, look for halfway points that allow you to reset your $83 fuel budget and recharge. Always verify your route details before departing Clearlake, as the lack of highway segments means your progress will depend entirely on local traffic flow and intersections.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 290.3 miles from Clearlake, CA, or about 5h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 224.4 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 128 miles or 2h 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 290.3 miles or 5h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 290.3 miles or 5h 40m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 10h 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near San Diego, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clearlake, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Clearlake, CA
Aim for roughly 290 miles and 5.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into San Diego, CA
Aim for roughly 290 miles and 5.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 128 miles from Clearlake, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 224.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 290.3 mi from Clearlake, CA · 5h 40m into the drive
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
192 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
383 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Bakersfield, CAOvernight Options
Night 1
290 mi · about 5.6h in
A practical overnight split lands near Dublin, CA after about 290 miles or 5.6 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 128 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 290.3 miles from Clearlake, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 224.4 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 290 miles or 5.6 hours on the road.
Arriving in San Diego, CA
The final approach into San Diego, CA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around San Diego, CA.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach San Diego, CA with some flexibility left in the schedule.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$134.48 one way
$268.95 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
203 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $138.68 | $277.36 |
| premium | $6.24 | $142.73 | $285.46 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $129.01 | $258.02 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$134
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$264–$374
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 203.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $61 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 174.2 | 2 | $60.97 | $27.87 |
| Efficient EV | 145.2 | 1 | $50.81 | $23.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 232.3 | 2 | $81.30 | $37.16 |
Gas CO2
203 kg
EV CO2
68 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
San Diego, CA
Afternoon in San Diego on Sunday
Local time
12:27 PM
PDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
24 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
11h 14m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Clearlake, CA to San Diego, CA covers 580.7 miles and takes about 11h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, San Diego Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 290 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 290.3 miles from Clearlake, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $134.48 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 41 significant decision points across 580.7 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 112.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 436.9 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Clearlake, CA and San Diego, CA, road signs point toward San Jose, Stockton, Santa Ana, Broadway and Riverside.
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