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Trip from Murray Field, CA to Chula Vista, CA

Drive Time

15h 2m

Distance

774.6 mi

1,247 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$179

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
14h 49m ★
6 AM
15h 3m
8 AM
15h 30m
10 AM
15h 12m
12 PM
15h 9m
3 PM
15h 13m
5 PM
15h 28m
8 PM
14h 55m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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airport

Murray Field, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Chula Vista, CA, CA

Chula Vista, CA

Stephen Leonardi

Trip Overview

The drive from Murray Field, CA to Chula Vista, CA covers 774.6 miles and takes about 15h 2m behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.

The route leans on Redwood Highway, Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is long-distance drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 246.4 miles on Redwood Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $179.38 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

4 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

387.3 miles from Murray Field, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 7h 43m into the drive .

Drive Character

At 774.6 miles and 15h 2m of driving, this is a route where fuel stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single turn. The main roads are Redwood Highway and Westside Freeway.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 49 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Redwood Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 246.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

At 15h 2m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 256.5 miles in near I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 40 significant decision points across 774.6 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 256.5 miles (I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 273.9 miles (I 580 / Interstate Highway 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 274.1 miles (I 580 / MacArthur Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 40 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

9
256.5 mi into trip | ~5h 15m in | I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway toward I 580: Richmond Bridge, Oakland

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 451B Toward I 580: Richmond Bridge, Oakland
8
273.9 mi into trip | ~5h 37m in | I 580 / Interstate Highway 80

Keep slight left at fork onto I 580 / Interstate Highway 80 toward I 580 East, I 880 South: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton, Alameda, San Jose

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, I 880 South: Downtown Oaklan...
8
274.1 mi into trip | ~5h 38m in | I 580 / MacArthur Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 580 / MacArthur Freeway toward I 580: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 580: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockt...
8
623.7 mi into trip | ~12h 1m 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
648.6 mi into trip | ~12h 30m 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...

Towns Along This Route

Between Murray Field, CA and Chula Vista, CA, road signs point toward Oakland, Hayward, Stockton, Alameda, San Jose and Santa Ana - among others.

Oakland

256.5 mi in | ~5h 15m | via I 580

Hayward

273.9 mi in | ~5h 37m | via I 580

Stockton

273.9 mi in | ~5h 37m | via I 580

Alameda

273.9 mi in | ~5h 37m | via I 580

San Jose

273.9 mi in | ~5h 37m | via I 580

Santa Ana

648.6 mi in | ~12h 30m | via I 5

Broadway

675.9 mi in | ~13h 2m

Riverside

683 mi in | ~13h 13m | via Jamboree Road

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Redwood Highway 246.4 mi 4h 58m
Westside Freeway 224.4 mi 4h
I 5 Truck 83.3 mi 1h 36m
San Diego Freeway 62.4 mi 1h 13m
Santa Ana Freeway 35 mi 40m
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway 29.3 mi 33m
Jacob Dekema Freeway 18.6 mi 21m
William Elton Brown Freeway 17 mi 18m
Longest stretch: Redwood Highway — 246.4 mi, about 4h 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Murray Field, CA and Chula Vista, CA.

1

Start on Airport Road

0.3 mi · 1 min · Airport Road
2

Continue on Airport Road

128 ft · 7 sec · Airport Road
3

Turn left onto US 101

1.3 mi · 2 min · Redwood Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4

Continue on US 101

1.5 mi · 4 min · 4th Street
Use the left / right lanes.
5

Turn left onto US 101

3.0 mi · 6 min · Broadway Street
Use the left / right lanes.
6

Continue on US 101

129 mi · 2 hr 38 min · Redwood Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Continue on US 101

5.4 mi · 6 min · Willits Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on US 101; CA 20

116 mi · 2 hr 18 min · Redwood Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 580

14 mi · 17 min · John T. Knox Freeway
Exit 451B Toward I 580: Richmond Bridge, Oakland Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Merge onto I 80; I 580

3.8 mi · 4 min · Eastshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 580

0.3 mi · 21 sec · Interstate Highway 80
Toward I 580 East, I 880 South: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton, Alameda, San Jose Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork onto I 580

16 mi · 18 min · MacArthur Freeway
Toward I 580: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13

Merge onto I 580

12 mi · 13 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight right at fork onto I 580

18 mi · 20 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight right at fork onto I 580

11 mi · 11 min · William Elton Brown Freeway
16

Keep slight left at fork onto I 580

5.9 mi · 6 min · William Elton Brown Freeway
17

Merge onto I 5

224 mi · 4 hr · Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck

58 mi · 1 hr 6 min · I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

4.1 mi · 4 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

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.
21

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck

25 mi · 29 min · I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

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.
23

Merge onto I 5

26 mi · 30 min · Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

0.2 mi · 16 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 57 sec
Toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 10 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 12 sec
Toward I 5 South
28

Merge onto I 5

0.8 mi · 54 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
29

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

0.8 mi · 52 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
30

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

1.2 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 102 Toward Newport Avenue Use the slight right lane.
32

Turn right onto Newport Avenue

0.4 mi · 44 sec · Newport Avenue
Use the right lane.
33

Turn left onto Walnut Avenue

2.2 mi · 4 min · Walnut Avenue
34

Turn left onto Jamboree Road

0.5 mi · 37 sec · Jamboree Road
Toward CA 261 Toll North: Jamboree Road, Riverside Use the left lane.
35

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 21 sec
Toward I 5 South
36

Merge onto I 5

5.5 mi · 6 min · Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

0.8 mi · 55 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38

Merge onto I 5

62 mi · 1 hr 13 min · San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 54 sec
Exit 31
40

Continue on I 805

19 mi · 21 min · Jacob Dekema Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Exit 9 Toward CA 54 East, CA 54 West Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Toward CA 54 West Use the slight right lane.
43

Merge onto CA 54

0.4 mi · 27 sec · South Bay Freeway
44

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Exit 1D Toward Highland Avenue, 4th Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
45

Turn left onto Highland Avenue

0.3 mi · 30 sec · Highland Avenue
Use the left lane.
46

Continue on 4th Avenue

0.9 mi · 1 min · 4th Avenue
47

Turn right onto F Street

322 ft · 33 sec · F Street
48

Continue on F Street

272 ft · 5 sec · F Street
49

Arrive at destination

F Street

Trip Plan

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 4 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 387.3 miles from Murray Field, CA, or about 7h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 246.4 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 170 miles or 3h 33m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 387.3 miles or 7h 43m 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 387.3 miles or 7h 43m

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 13h 50m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chula Vista, CA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Murray Field, 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 Murray Field, CA

Aim for roughly 387 miles and 7.5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Chula Vista, CA

Aim for roughly 387 miles and 7.5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 170 miles from Murray Field, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 4 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Redwood Highway for about 246.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 387.3 mi from Murray Field, CA · 7h 43m into the drive

Downtown Windsor, CA, CA

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

Windsor, CA

256 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.

Popular next leg

Windsor, CA to Chula Vista, CA

571.3 mi · 9h 20m

city in Alameda County, California, United States

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

Dublin, CA

511 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 Dublin, CA

Popular next leg

Dublin, CA to Chula Vista, CA

482 mi · 7h 48m

Overnight Options

Night 1

Richmond, CA

387 mi · about 7.5h in

A practical overnight split lands near Richmond, CA after about 387 miles or 7.5 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Windsor, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 170 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Turlock, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 387.3 miles from Murray Field, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Redwood Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 246.4 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 387 miles or 7.5 hours on the road.

Arriving in Chula Vista, CA

The final approach into Chula Vista, 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 Chula Vista, CA.

On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Chula Vista, 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park

Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of American civilians on the WWII home front. Discover how diverse communities lived, worked, and interacted. Many faces, many stories, many truths...

2 mi from route ~4 min detour Free near mile 267.1
View on nps.gov
Cabrillo National Monument

Cabrillo National Monument

National Monument

In 1542, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo climbed out of his boat and onto shore, becoming the first European to set foot on what is now the West Coast of the United States. Cabrillo National Monument not only...

9 mi from route ~24 min detour $20 near mile 774.6
View on nps.gov
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park celebrates America’s maritime heritage on the Pacific Coast. Our 50-acre park has grown around Aquatic Park Cove, a protected area...

9 mi from route ~23 min detour Free near mile 267.1
View on nps.gov
Muir Woods National Monument

Muir Woods National Monument

National Monument

Walk among old growth coast redwoods, cooling their roots in the fresh water of Redwood Creek and lifting their crowns to reach the sun and fog. Federally protected as a National Monument since 1908,...

13 mi from route ~34 min detour $15 near mile 267.1
View on nps.gov
Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

Experience a park so rich it supports 19 distinct ecosystems with over 2,000 plant and animal species. Go for a hike, enjoy a vista, have a picnic or learn about the centuries of overlapping history f...

15 mi from route ~38 min detour Free near mile 267.1
View on nps.gov
Point Reyes National Seashore

Point Reyes National Seashore

National Seashore

From its thunderous ocean breakers crashing against rocky headlands and expansive sand beaches to its open grasslands, brushy hillsides, and forested ridges, Point Reyes offers visitors over 1500 spec...

18 mi from route ~44 min detour Free near mile 240.4
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$179.38 one way

$358.76 round trip

$5.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 271 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.07 $184.99 $369.98
premium $6.24 $190.39 $380.77
diesel $5.64 $172.09 $344.18

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$179

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$309–$419

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 271 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $81 in charging · 2 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 232.4 2 $81.33 $37.18
Efficient EV 193.7 2 $67.78 $30.98
EV Truck/SUV 309.8 3 $108.44 $49.57

Gas CO2

271 kg

EV CO2

91 kg (66% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 5 hours ago

Origin

Murray Field, CA

Morning in Murray Field on Monday

Local time

10:31 AM

PDT

Current temp

42°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Chula Vista, CA

Morning in Chula Vista on Monday

Local time

10:31 AM

PDT

Current temp

58°F

Chance Rain Showers

NW 10 mph 29% chance 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

16 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

15h 2m 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 Murray Field, CA to Chula Vista, CA covers 774.6 miles and takes about 15h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Redwood Highway, Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck. 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 387 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 387.3 miles from Murray Field, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $179.38 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 4 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 40 significant decision points across 774.6 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 256.5 miles (I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 273.9 miles (I 580 / Interstate Highway 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 274.1 miles (I 580 / MacArthur Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Murray Field, CA and Chula Vista, CA, road signs point toward Oakland, Hayward, Stockton, Alameda, San Jose and Santa Ana - among others.

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