Origin
Pacifica, CA
Morning in Pacifica on Saturday
Local time
9:11 AM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pacifica, CA to San Diego, CA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 57m
Distance
509.6 mi
820 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$117
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 49m
★
6 AM
7h 57m
8 AM
8h 15m
10 AM
8h 3m
12 PM
8h 2m
3 PM
8h 4m
5 PM
8h 14m
8 PM
7h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pacifica, CA
Wikimedia Commons
San Diego, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Pacifica, CA to San Diego, CA covers 509.6 miles and takes about 7h 57m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Cabrillo Highway, Sharp Park Road, Lundy Way for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is long-distance drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $117.13 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
254.8 miles from Pacifica, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 58m into the drive .
About the Cities
Starting in Pacifica, CA
Full guide →Pacifica is on the Peninsula in the San Francisco Bay Area of California. Popular for its beaches, Pacifica has a mix of Bay Area hippies and blue-collar folks (especially in the fishing industry). It's the kind of place where you'll find a gun store next to a yoga studio.
Arriving in San Diego, CA
Full guide →Founded 1769
From balmy beaches with a laid-back attitude to a gleaming modern image, San Diego offers much for the tourist to enjoy. Situated on the Southern California seacoast, San Diego is the second largest city in the state, with 1.4 million residents (2020), and has long attracted travelers for its ideal climate, miles of beaches, and location on the Mexican border right across from Tijuana. But there's much more here than surfer culture and a quick hop across the border. A rich maritime and military heritage lives on in San Diego, which is home to the Pacific Fleet of the United States Navy. The city has also become known for its part in the wildlife conservation movement, owing to the presence of the world-renowned San Diego Zoo and Safari Park and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Natural scenery abounds from rocky tidepools and seaside cliffs to desert hills and canyons inland.
Top landmarks
- • Balboa Park — historic park in San Diego, California
- • Cabrillo National Monument — National Monument of the United States and historic district
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 57m. Total distance: 509.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 57m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Long-distance drive route profile.
Drive Character
At 509.6 miles and 7h 57m of driving, this is a route where fuel stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single turn. The main roads are Cabrillo Highway and Sharp Park Road.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 42 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Cabrillo Highway is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
At 7h 57m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 57m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Pacifica, CA to San Diego, CA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Cabrillo Highway | — | — |
| Sharp Park Road | — | — |
| Lundy Way | — | — |
| Skyline Boulevard | — | — |
| I 280 South | — | — |
| Junipero Serra Freeway | — | — |
| CA 85 South | — | — |
| West Valley Freeway | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Cabrillo Highway
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pacifica, CA and San Diego, CA.
1
Start on Reina del Mar Avenue
43 ft
·
10 sec
·
Reina del Mar Avenue
2
Turn sharp right onto Cabrillo Highway
0.7 mi
·
59 sec
·
Cabrillo Highway
3
Take the exit slight right toward Sharp Park Road
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
Sharp Park Road
4
Turn left onto Lundy Way
433 ft
·
9 sec
·
Lundy Way
5
Turn right onto Sharp Park Road
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Sharp Park Road
6
Turn right onto Skyline Boulevard
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Skyline Boulevard
7
Take the ramp straight toward I 280 South: Junipero Serra Freeway
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 280 South: Junipero Serra Freeway
8
Merge slight left onto Junipero Serra Freeway
29 mi
·
33 min
·
Junipero Serra Freeway
9
Take the exit right toward CA 85 South: Gilroy
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
CA 85 South: Gilroy
10
Merge slight left onto West Valley Freeway
18 mi
·
20 min
·
West Valley Freeway
11
Continue on US 101 South
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
·
US 101 South
12
Continue straight
20 mi
·
23 min
13
Take the exit slight right toward CA 152 East: 10th Street, Pacheco Pass Road
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
CA 152 East: 10th Street, Pacheco Pass Road
14
Turn left onto East 10th Street
354 ft
·
13 sec
·
East 10th Street
15
Continue on Pacheco Pass Highway
41 mi
·
50 min
·
Pacheco Pass Highway
16
Take the exit slight right toward I 5: Los Angeles
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 5: Los Angeles
17
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
181 mi
·
3 hr 14 min
·
Westside Freeway
18
Keep slight right
58 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
19
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Golden State Freeway
20
Keep slight right to continue on I 405 South
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
I 405 South
21
Keep slight left
25 mi
·
29 min
22
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Golden State Freeway
23
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
26 mi
·
30 min
·
Santa Ana Freeway
24
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Santa Ana Freeway
25
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
0.8 mi
·
57 sec
·
Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
26
Keep slight left
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
27
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
·
I 5 South
28
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
0.8 mi
·
54 sec
·
Santa Ana Freeway
29
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
0.8 mi
·
52 sec
·
Santa Ana Freeway
30
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Santa Ana Freeway
31
Take the exit slight right toward Newport Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Newport Avenue
32
Turn right onto Newport Avenue
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
Newport Avenue
33
Turn left onto Walnut Avenue
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Walnut Avenue
34
Turn left onto Jamboree Road
0.5 mi
·
38 sec
·
Jamboree Road
35
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 South
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
·
I 5 South
36
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Santa Ana Freeway
37
Keep slight left to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
0.8 mi
·
56 sec
·
Santa Ana Freeway
38
Merge slight right onto San Diego Freeway
76 mi
·
1 hr 29 min
·
San Diego Freeway
39
Take the exit slight right toward Front Street, Civic Center, 2nd Avenue
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
Front Street, Civic Center, 2nd Avenue
40
Keep slight right to continue on Front Street, Civic Center
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Front Street, Civic Center
41
Continue on Front Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Front Street
42
Arrive at your destination
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 254.8 miles from Pacifica, CA, or about 3h 58m into the drive.
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 112 miles or 1h 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 254.8 miles or 3h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 1m
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 Pacifica, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Pacifica, CA
This is one driving day of about 509.6 miles and 7h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 112 miles from Pacifica, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 254.8 mi from Pacifica, CA · 3h 58m 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
Meal stop
336 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 112 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 254.8 miles from Pacifica, 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
$117.13 one way
$234.26 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
178 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $120.70 | $241.40 |
| premium | $6.18 | $123.93 | $247.86 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $112.51 | $225.03 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$117
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$142–$167
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 178.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $54 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 152.9 | 1 | $53.51 | $24.46 |
| Efficient EV | 127.4 | 1 | $44.59 | $20.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 203.8 | 2 | $71.34 | $32.61 |
Gas CO2
178 kg
EV CO2
60 kg (66% 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
Morning in San Diego on Saturday
Local time
9:11 AM
PDT
Current temp
56°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
7 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
7h 57m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Pacifica, CA to San Diego, CA covers 509.6 miles and takes about 7h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Cabrillo Highway, Sharp Park Road, Lundy Way. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 254.8 miles from Pacifica, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $117.13 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.
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 57m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Pacifica, CA to San Diego, CA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Pacifica, CA to San Diego, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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