Origin
Redding, CA
Late night in Redding on Wednesday
Local time
3:20 AM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Redding, CA to Chula Vista, CA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
12h 28m
Distance
672 mi
1,081 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$154
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
12h 18m
★
6 AM
12h 29m
8 AM
12h 51m
10 AM
12h 37m
12 PM
12h 35m
3 PM
12h 38m
5 PM
12h 50m
8 PM
12h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Redding, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Chula Vista, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embarking on the 672-mile journey from Redding to Chula Vista is a significant undertaking, typically requiring about 12 hours and 28 minutes of driving time. Given its length and the 94% highway share, this route is best split over two recommended days, rather than attempting it as a single, exhaustive day trip. The estimated fuel cost for this long-distance drive is around $154. You'll primarily be on the Westside Freeway and the I 5 Truck/San Diego Freeway, a consistent path that spans the length of California, moving from the Pacific Coast region down to the same region. Planning for around three stops will help break up the journey.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
336 miles from Redding, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 6h 4m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This route is predominantly a long-distance highway drive, with a substantial 94% of its mileage on major freeways. Expect extended periods on the Westside Freeway, including a notable stretch of 424.9 miles without significant deviations. While the majority of the drive is on fast-moving interstates, the sheer length means you'll experience a consistent driving pace for many hours. This highway-centric profile suggests a focus on efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways, making it a straightforward, albeit lengthy, interstate experience.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 41 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 424.9 miles.
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 521 miles in near I 5 Truck.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 36 significant decision points across 672 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 521 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 546 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 580.4 miles (Jamboree Road): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 36 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
521 mi into trip
|
~9h 27m 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
546 mi into trip
|
~9h 57m 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
580.4 mi into trip
|
~10h 39m 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
669.4 mi into trip
|
~12h 23m in
Take the exit toward CA 54 East, CA 54 West
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 9
Toward CA 54 East, CA 54 West
8
669.6 mi into trip
|
~12h 24m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CA 54 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward CA 54 West
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Redding, CA and Chula Vista, CA, road signs point toward Santa Ana, Broadway and Riverside.
Santa Ana
546 mi in
|
~9h 57m
|
via I 5
Broadway
573.3 mi in
|
~10h 29m
Riverside
580.4 mi in
|
~10h 39m
|
via Jamboree Road
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 424.9 mi | 7h 38m |
| I 5 Truck | 83.3 mi | 1h 36m |
| San Diego Freeway | 62.4 mi | 1h 13m |
| Santa Ana Freeway | 35 mi | 40m |
| Cascade Wonderland Highway | 31.8 mi | 34m |
| Jacob Dekema Freeway | 18.6 mi | 21m |
| Golden State Freeway | 5.3 mi | 6m |
| Walnut Avenue | 2.2 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 424.9 mi, about 7h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Redding, CA and Chula Vista, CA.
1
Start on CA 44; CA 273; US 99 Hist
448 ft
·
22 sec
·
South Market Street
2
Turn left onto CA 44; US 99 Hist
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Tehama Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
3
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 2A
Toward I 5 South: Sacramento
Use the slight right lane.
4
Merge onto I 5
32 mi
·
34 min
·
Cascade Wonderland Highway
5
Continue on I 5
93 mi
·
1 hr 39 min
·
Westside Freeway
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
16 mi
·
16 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
79 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi
·
48 sec
·
Westside Freeway
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
237 mi
·
4 hr 13 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
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.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
25 mi
·
29 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
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.
15
Merge onto I 5
26 mi
·
30 min
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
57 sec
Toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
Toward I 5 South
20
Merge onto I 5
0.8 mi
·
54 sec
·
Santa Ana Freeway
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi
·
52 sec
·
Santa Ana Freeway
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 102
Toward Newport Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
24
Turn right onto Newport Avenue
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
Newport Avenue
Use the right lane.
25
Turn left onto Walnut Avenue
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Walnut Avenue
26
Turn left onto Jamboree Road
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
·
Jamboree Road
Toward CA 261 Toll North: Jamboree Road, Riverside
Use the left lane.
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I 5 South
28
Merge onto I 5
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Merge onto I 5
62 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
54 sec
Exit 31
32
Continue on I 805
19 mi
·
21 min
·
Jacob Dekema Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 9
Toward CA 54 East, CA 54 West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward CA 54 West
Use the slight right lane.
35
Merge onto CA 54
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
·
South Bay Freeway
36
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 1D
Toward Highland Avenue, 4th Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Turn left onto Highland Avenue
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
Highland Avenue
Use the left lane.
38
Continue on 4th Avenue
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
4th Avenue
39
Turn right onto F Street
322 ft
·
33 sec
·
F Street
40
Continue on F Street
272 ft
·
5 sec
·
F Street
41
Arrive at destination
F Street
Trip Plan
To best manage this 672-mile drive, consider departing early in the morning to maximize daylight hours, especially if you plan to split it over two days as recommended. With a total duration of over 12 hours, aiming for roughly 6-7 hours of driving per day will make the trip more manageable. Factor in your three stops strategically for fuel, food, and rest. Given the long stretches on the Westside Freeway, be mindful of potential traffic, particularly as you approach larger metropolitan areas. The $154 fuel cost is a good baseline for budgeting, so ensure your vehicle is well-maintained for optimal efficiency.
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 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 336 miles from Redding, CA, or about 6h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 424.9 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 148 miles or 2h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 336 miles or 6h 4m 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 336 miles or 6h 4m
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 11h 16m
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 Redding, 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 Redding, CA
Aim for roughly 336 miles and 6.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Chula Vista, CA
Aim for roughly 336 miles and 6.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 148 miles from Redding, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 424.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 336 mi from Redding, CA · 6h 4m into the drive
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
222 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
444 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
336 mi · about 6.2h in
A practical overnight split lands near Bakersfield, CA after about 336 miles or 6.2 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 148 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 336 miles from Redding, 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 424.9 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 336 miles or 6.2 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$154.45 one way
$308.91 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
235 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $159.16 | $318.33 |
| premium | $6.18 | $163.42 | $326.85 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $148.37 | $296.74 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$154
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$284–$394
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 235.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $71 in charging · 2 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 201.6 | 2 | $70.56 | $32.26 |
| Efficient EV | 168 | 1 | $58.80 | $26.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 268.8 | 3 | $94.08 | $43.01 |
Gas CO2
235 kg
EV CO2
79 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.
Destination
Chula Vista, CA
Late night in Chula Vista on Wednesday
Local time
3:20 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.
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
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
12h 28m 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 Redding, CA to Chula Vista, CA covers 672 miles and takes about 12h 28m 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 336 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 336 miles from Redding, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $154.45 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 3 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 36 significant decision points across 672 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 521 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 546 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 580.4 miles (Jamboree Road): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Redding, CA and Chula Vista, CA, road signs point toward Santa Ana, Broadway and Riverside.
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