Trip from San Diego, CA to Altadena, CA

Drive Time

2h 43m

Distance

128.8 mi

207 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min

4 AM

2h 32m ★

6 AM

2h 43m

8 AM

3h 5m

10 AM

2h 51m

12 PM

2h 49m

3 PM

2h 52m

5 PM

3h 3m

8 PM

2h 37m

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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San Diego, CA

Lindsey Willard

Altadena, CA

Stephen Leonardi

Trip Overview

The drive from San Diego, CA to Altadena, CA covers 128.8 miles and takes about 2h 43m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on San Diego Freeway, Santa Ana Freeway, I 5 Truck for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 75.2 miles on San Diego Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $29.83 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

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

64.4 miles from San Diego, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 2h 43m highway drive covering 128.8 miles, with most of the trip on San Diego Freeway and Santa Ana Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 75.2 miles on San Diego Freeway.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 34 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 75.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on San Diego Freeway and Santa Ana Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 76.1 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 30 significant decision points across 128.8 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 76.1 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 84 miles (Jamboree Road): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 30 key points

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

76.1 mi into trip | ~1h 29m in | I 5 Truck

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward Bake Parkway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Bake Parkway

83.7 mi into trip | ~1h 38m in

Take the exit toward Jamboree Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 100 Toward Jamboree Road

84 mi into trip | ~1h 39m in | Jamboree Road

Turn right onto Jamboree Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / right lanes.

114.7 mi into trip | ~2h 17m in

Take the exit toward I 710 North: Pasadena

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Exit 130C Toward I 710 North: Pasadena

123 mi into trip | ~2h 31m in | Columbia Street

At end of road, turn left onto Columbia Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
San Diego Freeway	75.2 mi	1h 27m
Santa Ana Freeway	28.1 mi	32m
I 5 Truck	7.6 mi	8m
Long Beach Freeway	4.5 mi	5m
South Fremont Avenue	3.3 mi	7m
North Lake Avenue	2.7 mi	6m
El Camino Real	2.2 mi	4m
South Pasadena Avenue	1 mi	1m

Longest stretch: San Diego Freeway — 75.2 mi, about 1h 27m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Front Street

26 ft · 6 sec · Front Street

Turn left onto West Broadway

290 ft · 12 sec · West Broadway

Turn left onto 1st Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · 1st Avenue

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 24 sec

Toward I 5 North: Los Angeles Use the left / straight lanes.

Merge onto I 5

13 mi · 15 min · San Diego Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

36 mi · 43 min · San Diego Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

18 mi · 20 min · San Diego Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

7.4 mi · 8 min · San Diego Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck

1.6 mi · 1 min · I 5 Truck

Toward Bake Parkway Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck

6.0 mi · 6 min · I 5 Truck

Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 16 sec

Exit 100 Toward Jamboree Road Use the slight right lane.

Continue on this road

527 ft · 11 sec · this road

Turn right onto Jamboree Road

0.1 mi · 18 sec · Jamboree Road

Use the left / right lanes.

Turn left onto El Camino Real

2.2 mi · 4 min · El Camino Real

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto Newport Avenue

357 ft · 13 sec · Newport Avenue

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 16 sec

Toward I 5 North: Los Angeles

Merge onto I 5

1.3 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

1.7 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

9.4 mi · 10 min · Santa Ana Freeway

Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

16 mi · 18 min · Santa Ana Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 40 sec

Exit 130C Toward I 710 North: Pasadena Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 710

4.1 mi · 4 min · Long Beach Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto West Valley Boulevard

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Valley Boulevard

Turn left onto South Fremont Avenue

3.3 mi · 7 min · South Fremont Avenue

Use the left lane.

At end of road, turn left onto Columbia Street

173 ft · 7 sec · Columbia Street

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto South Pasadena Avenue

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Pasadena Avenue

Use the right lane.

Turn slight left onto Long Beach Freeway

0.4 mi · 32 sec · Long Beach Freeway

Use the left / straight lanes.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 210 East: San Bernardino Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto CA 134

0.4 mi · 25 sec · Ventura Freeway

Merge onto I 210

0.3 mi · 22 sec · Foothill Freeway

Use the slight left lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 32 sec

Exit 26 Toward Lake Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto East Corson Street

446 ft · 9 sec · East Corson Street

Turn left onto North Lake Avenue

2.7 mi · 6 min · North Lake Avenue

Use the straight lane.

Arrive at destination

North Lake Avenue

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.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 64.4 miles from San Diego, CA, or about 1h 16m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75.2 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 34m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 64.4 miles or 1h 16m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 6m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving San Diego, 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 San Diego, CA

This is one driving day of about 128.8 miles and 2h 43m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from San Diego, CA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on San Diego Freeway for about 75.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 64.4 mi from San Diego, CA · 1h 16m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Irvine, CA

64 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.

Popular next leg

Irvine, CA to Altadena, CA

52.7 mi · 1h 10m

Pacing Suggestions

Irvine, CA

Fuel and coffee

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

Irvine, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 64.4 miles from San Diego, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before San Diego Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 75.2 miles.

Arriving in Altadena, CA

The final approach into Altadena, 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 Altadena, CA.

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.

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...

5 mi from route ~13 min detour $20

Park Closure: Park Auditorium Closed Until Further Notice

View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$29.83 one way

$59.65 round trip

$5.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 45 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$6.07	$30.76	$61.52
premium	$6.24	$31.66	$63.31
diesel	$5.64	$28.61	$57.23

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$30

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 45.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	38.6	$13.52	$6.18
Efficient EV	32.2	$11.27	$5.15
EV Truck/SUV	51.5	$18.03	$8.24

Gas CO2

45 kg

EV CO2

15 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 1 hour ago

Origin

San Diego, CA

Late night in San Diego on Monday

Local time

3:18 AM

PDT

Current temp

58°F

Chance Rain Showers

NW 10 mph 27% chance Live forecast

Winter Weather Advisory

Winter Weather Advisory issued April 13 at 12:17AM PDT until April 13 at 7:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA

Winter Weather Advisory

Winter Weather Advisory issued April 13 at 12:17AM PDT until April 13 at 7:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA

Destination

Altadena, CA

Late night in Altadena on Monday

Local time

3:18 AM

PDT

Current temp

54°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 43m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from San Diego, CA to Altadena, CA covers 128.8 miles and takes about 2h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are San Diego Freeway, Santa Ana Freeway, I 5 Truck. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 64.4 miles from San Diego, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.83 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.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

The route from San Diego, CA to Altadena, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Trip from San Diego, CA to Altadena, CA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Altadena, CA

National Parks Near This Route

Cabrillo National Monument

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

San Diego, CA

Altadena, CA

Same local time

4 degrees cooler at arrival

2h 43m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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