Trip from La Verne, CA to San Diego, CA

Drive Time

2h 19m

Distance

119.3 mi

192 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 10m ★
6 AM
2h 20m
8 AM
2h 39m
10 AM
2h 26m
12 PM
2h 24m
3 PM
2h 27m
5 PM
2h 38m
8 PM
2h 14m

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

Downtown La Verne, CA, CA

La Verne, CA

Stephen Leonardi

Downtown San Diego, CA, CA

San Diego, CA

Lindsey Willard

Trip Overview

The drive from La Verne, CA to San Diego, CA covers 119.3 miles and takes about 2h 19m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Avocado Highway, Escondido Freeway, Temecula Valley Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 21.9 miles on Avocado Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.63 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

59.7 miles from La Verne, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 11m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 2h 19m highway drive covering 119.3 miles, with most of the trip on Avocado Highway and Escondido Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 21.9 miles on Avocado Highway.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Avocado Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 21.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Avocado Highway and Escondido Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.9 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 119.3 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 5.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

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

8
5.9 mi into trip | ~10m in

Turn left toward CA 71 South, CA 60 East: Corona, Riverside

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward CA 71 South, CA 60 East: Corona, Riversi...
8
6 mi into trip | ~10m in

Keep slight left at fork toward CA 71 South: Corona

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward CA 71 South: Corona
7
18.3 mi into trip | ~25m in

Keep slight left at fork toward CA 91 East: Riverside

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward CA 91 East: Riverside
8
22.9 mi into trip | ~31m in | Corona Freeway

Take the exit onto Corona Freeway toward I 15 North, I 15 South: Barstow, San Diego

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 51 Toward I 15 North, I 15 South: Barstow, San Die...
7
23.7 mi into trip | ~32m in | Corona Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto Corona Freeway toward I 15 South: San Diego

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 15 South: San Diego

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Avocado Highway 21.9 mi 23m
Escondido Freeway 21.1 mi 23m
Temecula Valley Freeway 19.1 mi 20m
Corona Freeway 18.3 mi 21m
Chino Valley Freeway 9.2 mi 10m
Cabrillo Freeway 8.2 mi 9m
Tony Gwynn Memorial Freeway 4.5 mi 5m
Riverside Freeway 3.9 mi 4m
Longest stretch: Avocado Highway — 21.9 mi, about 23m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between La Verne, CA and San Diego, CA.

1

Start on Bonita Avenue

0.3 mi · 37 sec · Bonita Avenue
2

Turn right onto White Avenue

1.6 mi · 2 min · White Avenue
Use the none lane.
3

Turn left onto West McKinley Avenue

0.5 mi · 55 sec · West McKinley Avenue
4

Turn right onto North Garey Avenue

2.8 mi · 4 min · North Garey Avenue
Use the none lane.
5

Turn right onto Rio Rancho Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · Rio Rancho Road
Use the none lane.
6

Turn left

0.1 mi · 13 sec
Toward CA 71 South, CA 60 East: Corona, Riverside Use the left lane.
7

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Toward CA 71 South: Corona Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Merge onto CA 71

9.2 mi · 10 min · Chino Valley Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on CA 71

2.9 mi · 3 min · Corona Freeway
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward CA 91 East: Riverside Use the slight left lane.
11

Merge onto CA 91

3.9 mi · 4 min · Riverside Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit onto Corona Freeway

0.8 mi · 55 sec · Corona Freeway
Exit 51 Toward I 15 North, I 15 South: Barstow, San Diego Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight right at fork onto Corona Freeway

0.5 mi · 58 sec · Corona Freeway
Toward I 15 South: San Diego Use the slight right lane.
14

Merge onto I 15

14 mi · 15 min · Corona Freeway
Use the none lane.
15

Continue on I 15

19 mi · 20 min · Temecula Valley Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
16

Merge onto I 15

5.8 mi · 6 min · Escondido Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
17

Continue on I 15

22 mi · 23 min · Avocado Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
18

Continue on I 15

3.4 mi · 3 min · Escondido Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
19

Keep slight right at fork onto I 15

8.7 mi · 10 min · Escondido Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
20

Continue on I 15

4.5 mi · 5 min · Tony Gwynn Memorial Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
21

Continue on I 15

3.1 mi · 3 min · Escondido Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
22

Continue on I 15

2.2 mi · 2 min · Semper Fi Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
23

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 51 sec
Exit 12 Toward CA 163 South Use the slight right lane.
24

Continue on CA 163

8.2 mi · 9 min · Cabrillo Freeway
Toward CA 163 Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
25

Continue on CA 163

1.5 mi · 1 min · Cabrillo Parkway
Use the none lane.
26

Continue on CA 163

0.8 mi · 1 min · Cabrillo Parkway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
27

Continue on CA 163

0.3 mi · 41 sec · 10th Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
28

Turn right onto Broadway

0.5 mi · 1 min · Broadway
Use the none lane.
29

Turn left onto Front Street

26 ft · 0 sec · Front Street
Use the left lane.
30

Arrive at destination

Front Street

Trip Plan

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 59.7 miles from La Verne, CA, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.9 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 33m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 59.7 miles or 1h 11m 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 53m

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 La Verne, 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 La Verne, CA

This is one driving day of about 119.3 miles and 2h 19m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from La Verne, 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 Avocado Highway for about 21.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 59.7 mi from La Verne, CA · 1h 11m into the drive

Downtown Moreno Valley, CA, CA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Moreno Valley, CA

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

Oceanside, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Oceanside, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 59.7 miles from La Verne, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

$27.63 one way

$55.25 round trip

$5.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 42 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.07 $28.49 $56.98
premium $6.24 $29.32 $58.64
diesel $5.64 $26.50 $53.01

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: 41.7 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 35.8 0 $12.53 $5.73
Efficient EV 29.8 0 $10.44 $4.77
EV Truck/SUV 47.7 0 $16.70 $7.64

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.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

La Verne, CA

Afternoon in La Verne on Sunday

Local time

1:42 PM

PDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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.

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

20 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

2h 19m 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 La Verne, CA to San Diego, CA covers 119.3 miles and takes about 2h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Avocado Highway, Escondido Freeway, Temecula Valley Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59.7 miles from La Verne, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.63 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 18 significant decision points across 119.3 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 5.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from La Verne, CA to San Diego, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

San Diego, CA to La Verne, CA

Plan the drive back the other way.

118.8 mi 2h 18m

Explore more options from La Verne, CA or browse trips ending in San Diego, CA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.

Explore maps for La Verne, CA or San Diego, CA on MapSof.net.