Origin
Hermosa Beach, CA
Afternoon in Hermosa Beach on Sunday
Local time
4:17 PM
PDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hermosa Beach, CA to San Diego, CA
Drive Time
2h 25m
Distance
120.6 mi
194 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 16m
★
6 AM
2h 26m
8 AM
2h 45m
10 AM
2h 32m
12 PM
2h 31m
3 PM
2h 33m
5 PM
2h 44m
8 PM
2h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hermosa Beach, CA
Abhishek Navlakha
San Diego, CA
Lindsey Willard
Trip Overview
Traveling the 120.8 miles from Hermosa Beach to San Diego is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 7 minutes. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, you should plan on this being a single-day trip rather than an overnight excursion. You will navigate through the Pacific Coast region using a combination of Pier Avenue, the Pacific Coast Highway, and West Artesia Boulevard. Budget roughly $16 for fuel to complete the trek. Since there are no mandatory stops built into this path, you have the flexibility to reach your destination quickly or take your time navigating local surface streets.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
60.3 miles from Hermosa Beach, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a hands-on experience behind the wheel, as this route consists entirely of local roads with zero highway miles. The drive is characterized by frequent turns rather than long, straight stretches, meaning you will spend very little time cruising on a single road. In fact, there is no significant uninterrupted stretch, as the journey relies on transitions between Pier Avenue, West Artesia Boulevard, and the Pacific Coast Highway. This isn't a high-speed interstate grind; instead, it is a localized path that requires your full attention as you navigate the transition from the Hermosa Beach area down to the San Diego region.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
San Diego Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 87.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on San Diego Freeway and San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 34 miles in near CA 73 / Corona Del Mar Freeway.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 120.6 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 34 miles (CA 73 / Corona Del Mar Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
34 mi into trip
|
~43m in
|
CA 73 / Corona Del Mar Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 73 / Corona Del Mar Freeway toward CA 73 South: San Diego
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 10
Toward CA 73 South: San Diego
8
48.4 mi into trip
|
~59m in
Take the exit toward La Paz Road, Moulton Parkway
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 3
Toward La Paz Road, Moulton Parkway
7
48.9 mi into trip
|
~1h in
Keep slight left at fork toward CA 73 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 73 South
8
119.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 23m 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
7
120 mi into trip
|
~2h 23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Front Street, Civic Center
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Front Street, Civic Center
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego Freeway | 87.3 mi | 1h 41m |
| San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor | 12.8 mi | 14m |
| I 405 | 10.3 mi | 11m |
| Corona Del Mar Freeway | 4 mi | 4m |
| West Artesia Boulevard | 3 mi | 6m |
| Pacific Coast Highway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Front Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Pier Avenue | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
San Diego Freeway
— 87.3 mi, about 1h 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hermosa Beach, CA and San Diego, CA.
1
Start on Palm Drive
45 ft
·
3 sec
·
Palm Drive
2
Turn right onto Pier Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Pier Avenue
3
Turn left onto CA 1
0.5 mi
·
40 sec
·
Pacific Coast Highway
4
Take the exit
159 ft
·
4 sec
5
Turn right onto West Artesia Boulevard
3.0 mi
·
6 min
·
West Artesia Boulevard
Use the right lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
Toward I 405 South: Long Beach
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 405
17 mi
·
19 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 405
0.2 mi
·
11 sec
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 405
10 mi
·
11 min
·
I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 73
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Corona Del Mar Freeway
Exit 10
Toward CA 73 South: San Diego
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on CA 73
10 mi
·
11 min
·
San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
437 ft
·
5 sec
Exit 3
Toward La Paz Road, Moulton Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
33 sec
Toward CA 73 South: Moulton Parkway
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
42 sec
Toward CA 73 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto CA 73 Toll
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
17
Merge onto I 5
68 mi
·
1 hr 19 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 17
Toward Front Street, Civic Center, 2nd Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward Front Street, Civic Center
20
Continue on Front Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Front Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
21
Arrive at destination
Front Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 120.8-mile drive, aim to depart during off-peak hours to better manage the local traffic patterns inherent in a turn-heavy route. Since the drive takes just over two hours, you can easily complete it in one go without the need for an overnight stay. Keep your $16 fuel budget in mind before you head out, as local road driving can sometimes be less fuel-efficient than highway cruising. A practical tip for this specific path is to pay close attention to your GPS or map early on, as the route requires navigating multiple local roads rather than following a single highway corridor to your destination.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 60.3 miles from Hermosa Beach, CA, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.3 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.3 miles or 1h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 58m
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 Hermosa Beach, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hermosa Beach, CA
This is one driving day of about 120.6 miles and 2h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Hermosa Beach, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on San Diego Freeway for about 87.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 60.3 mi from Hermosa Beach, CA · 1h 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
60 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 60.3 miles from Hermosa Beach, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before San Diego Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 87.3 miles.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.93 one way
$55.86 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $28.80 | $57.60 |
| premium | $6.24 | $29.64 | $59.28 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $26.79 | $53.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.2 | 0 | $12.66 | $5.79 |
| Efficient EV | 30.2 | 0 | $10.55 | $4.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 48.2 | 0 | $16.88 | $7.72 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
4:17 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.
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
4 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 25m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Hermosa Beach, CA to San Diego, CA covers 120.6 miles and takes about 2h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are San Diego Freeway, San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor, I 405. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 60.3 miles from Hermosa Beach, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.93 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 120.6 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 34 miles (CA 73 / Corona Del Mar Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Hermosa Beach, CA to San Diego, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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