Origin
Daly City, CA
Afternoon in Daly City on Sunday
Local time
1:42 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Daly City, CA to San Diego, CA
Drive Time
9h 36m
Distance
508 mi
818 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$118
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
9h 28m
★
6 AM
9h 37m
8 AM
9h 54m
10 AM
9h 43m
12 PM
9h 41m
3 PM
9h 44m
5 PM
9h 53m
8 PM
9h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Daly City, CA
Stephen Leonardi
San Diego, CA
Lindsey Willard
Trip Overview
Embarking on the 512.2-mile journey from Daly City to San Diego is a significant undertaking that typically requires about 7 hours and 57 minutes of driving time. While it is technically possible to complete this trip in a single day, be prepared for a long stretch behind the wheel. You will navigate through local roads like Mission Circle, Bepler Street, and San Jose Avenue as you transition across the California Pacific Coast region. With a fuel budget of approximately $70, you should factor in at least two planned stops to keep yourself refreshed. This route is best suited for those who enjoy long-distance travel and are comfortable with a full day of navigation. Whether you push through in one go or break it up, careful planning is essential for a smooth arrival.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
254 miles from Daly City, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 41m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip offers a distinct departure from standard interstate travel, as your route relies on local roads rather than major freeways. You will spend 0% of your journey on highways, which means the driving experience is defined by local thoroughfares like Mission Circle and San Jose Avenue. Because the longest stretch on Mission Circle is 0 miles, you should anticipate frequent transitions and a more hands-on driving experience. The character of the road remains consistent as you traverse the Pacific Coast, requiring your full attention throughout the 512.2-mile trek. Expect a steady, focused pace that prioritizes local navigation over the high-speed monotony of typical long-distance corridors.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 45 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.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,865 ft
39 ft
Total Climb
3,200 ft
Total Descent
3,568 ft
Highest Point
2,865 ft
~338.7 mi in
Elevation Range
2,825 ft
Notable High Points
2,865 ft at ~338.7 miles
+1,092 ft prominence
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 14.2 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 508 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 14.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 364.3 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 389.2 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 41 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
14.2 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Take the exit toward I 580 East: Downtown Oakland, Hayward-Stockton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 8B
Toward I 580 East: Downtown Oakland, Hayward-St...
8
364.3 mi into trip
|
~6h 44m 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
389.2 mi into trip
|
~7h 14m 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
423.6 mi into trip
|
~7h 56m 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...
8
507.2 mi into trip
|
~9h 34m in
Take the exit toward Front Street, Civic Center, 2nd Avenue
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 17
Toward Front Street, Civic Center, 2nd Avenue
Towns Along This Route
Between Daly City, CA and San Diego, CA, road signs point toward Santa Ana, Broadway and Riverside.
Santa Ana
389.2 mi in
|
~7h 14m
|
via I 5
Broadway
416.5 mi in
|
~7h 46m
Riverside
423.6 mi in
|
~7h 56m
|
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 |
| Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway | 29.3 mi | 33m |
| William Elton Brown Freeway | 17 mi | 18m |
| MacArthur Freeway | 15.9 mi | 18m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 5.8 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 224.4 mi, about 4h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Daly City, CA and San Diego, CA.
1
Start on Hillcrest Drive
194 ft
·
11 sec
·
Hillcrest Drive
2
Turn right onto Mission Circle
332 ft
·
15 sec
·
Mission Circle
3
Turn right onto Bepler Street
299 ft
·
20 sec
·
Bepler Street
4
Turn left onto CA 82
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
·
San Jose Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 280 North: Civic Center, Bay Bridge
6
Merge onto I 280
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
John F Foran Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 280
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Southern Embarcadero Freeway
Exit 54B
Toward I 280 North: Downtown San Francisco, Sixth Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 57
Toward 6th Street
Use the slight right lane.
9
Turn right onto Brannan Street
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Brannan Street
Use the right lane.
10
Turn left onto 5th Street
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
5th Street
Use the left lane.
11
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
44 sec
Toward I 80 East: Bay Bridge, Oakland
Use the slight right / right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 80
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Route 80
13
Continue on I 80
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 8B
Toward I 580 East: Downtown Oakland, Hayward-Stockton
Use the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto I 580
16 mi
·
18 min
·
MacArthur Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Merge onto I 580
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
11 mi
·
11 min
·
William Elton Brown Freeway
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
William Elton Brown Freeway
20
Merge onto I 5
224 mi
·
4 hr
·
Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
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.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
25 mi
·
29 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
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.
26
Merge onto I 5
26 mi
·
30 min
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
57 sec
Toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
Toward I 5 South
31
Merge onto I 5
0.8 mi
·
54 sec
·
Santa Ana Freeway
32
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi
·
52 sec
·
Santa Ana Freeway
33
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 102
Toward Newport Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
35
Turn right onto Newport Avenue
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
Newport Avenue
Use the right lane.
36
Turn left onto Walnut Avenue
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Walnut Avenue
37
Turn left onto Jamboree Road
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
·
Jamboree Road
Toward CA 261 Toll North: Jamboree Road, Riverside
Use the left lane.
38
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I 5 South
39
Merge onto I 5
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Merge onto I 5
76 mi
·
1 hr 29 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 17
Toward Front Street, Civic Center, 2nd Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
43
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward Front Street, Civic Center
44
Continue on Front Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Front Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
45
Arrive at destination
Front Street
Trip Plan
To tackle this 7-hour and 57-minute drive effectively, aim to depart as early as possible to avoid peak local traffic on your initial roads. Since you have two scheduled stops, use these intervals to stretch and refuel, keeping your $70 fuel budget in mind as you monitor your vehicle's consumption. Given the nature of these local roads, keep a close eye on your navigation system, as the lack of highway miles means you will be making more turns than on a standard interstate route. If you find the 512.2-mile distance too taxing for a single day, consider splitting the trip to maintain your safety and comfort. A practical tip for this route is to map out your two stops in advance, ensuring they align with your fuel needs before you leave Daly City.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 254 miles from Daly City, CA, or about 4h 41m 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 112 miles or 2h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 254 miles or 4h 41m 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 254 miles or 4h 41m
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 8h 25m
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 Daly City, 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 Daly City, CA
Aim for roughly 254 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into San Diego, CA
Aim for roughly 254 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 112 miles from Daly City, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 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 254 mi from Daly City, CA · 4h 41m into the drive
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
168 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
335 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 Los Angeles, CAOvernight Options
Night 1
254 mi · about 4.8h in
A practical overnight split lands near Bakersfield, CA after about 254 miles or 4.8 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 112 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 254 miles from Daly City, 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 254 miles or 4.8 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
$117.64 one way
$235.28 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
178 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $121.32 | $242.64 |
| premium | $6.24 | $124.86 | $249.72 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $112.86 | $225.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$118
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$248–$358
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 177.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $53 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 152.4 | 1 | $53.34 | $24.38 |
| Efficient EV | 127 | 1 | $44.45 | $20.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 203.2 | 2 | $71.12 | $32.51 |
Gas CO2
178 kg
EV CO2
59 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
1:42 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
25 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
9h 36m 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 Daly City, CA to San Diego, CA covers 508 miles and takes about 9h 36m 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 254 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 254 miles from Daly City, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $117.64 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 2 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 508 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 14.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 364.3 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 389.2 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Daly City, CA and San Diego, CA, road signs point toward Santa Ana, Broadway and Riverside.
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