Origin
San Diego, CA
Afternoon in San Diego on Wednesday
Local time
3:56 PM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from San Diego, CA to Ramona, CA
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
50m
Distance
35.6 mi
57 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 46m
★
6 AM
0h 50m
8 AM
0h 58m
10 AM
0h 53m
12 PM
0h 52m
3 PM
0h 53m
5 PM
0h 58m
8 PM
0h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
San Diego, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Ramona, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Transitioning from the Pacific Coast urban center of San Diego to the inland community of Ramona is a straightforward journey covering approximately 35.6 miles. You can expect the drive to take roughly 50 minutes under normal traffic conditions, making it an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. Navigating this route involves utilizing surface streets like West Broadway, 11th Avenue, and Cabrillo Parkway rather than major interstate highways. With a fuel budget of about $5, this is a very accessible trip for those looking to explore the interior of Southern California. Because the drive is short, you have the flexibility to head out on a whim without extensive logistical planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
17.8 miles from San Diego, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 24m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive as you transition away from the coastal city streets. This route features zero percent highway travel, meaning you will be navigating through local infrastructure for the entirety of the 35.6-mile trek. The experience behind the wheel is characterized by constant adjustments rather than a monotonous interstate grind. Since there are no designated long, uninterrupted stretches, you should remain focused on the technical nature of the local roads throughout the duration of the trip. The personality of this drive is strictly utilitarian, prioritizing local connectivity over high-speed transit.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
CA 67 is the longest continuous segment at about 8.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CA 67 and Cabrillo Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Broadway.
Route Complexity
7/10
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
This is a short but busy drive. With 10 decision points packed into just 35.6 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 50m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Broadway): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (11th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 13.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West Broadway
Turn left onto West Broadway
Navigation decision point
4
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
11th Avenue
Turn left onto 11th Avenue
Navigation decision point
8
13.8 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Take the exit toward Pomerado Road, Miramar Road
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 14
Toward Pomerado Road, Miramar Road
6
14.1 mi into trip
|
~18m in
|
US 395 Hist / Pomerado Road
Turn right onto US 395 Hist / Pomerado Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
19 mi into trip
|
~26m in
|
Scripps Poway Parkway
Turn right onto Scripps Poway Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CA 67 | 8.9 mi | 12m |
| Cabrillo Freeway | 8.3 mi | 9m |
| Scripps Poway Parkway | 5.6 mi | 7m |
| Pomerado Road | 4.9 mi | 8m |
| Cabrillo Parkway | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Main Street | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Semper Fi Highway | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| West Broadway | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
CA 67
— 8.9 mi, about 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Diego, CA and Ramona, CA.
1
Start on Front Street
26 ft
·
6 sec
·
Front Street
2
Turn left onto West Broadway
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Broadway
3
Turn left onto 11th Avenue
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
11th Avenue
4
Continue on CA 163
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Cabrillo Parkway
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on CA 163
8.3 mi
·
9 min
·
Cabrillo Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
7
Continue on I 15
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Semper Fi Highway
Use the slight right lane.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 14
Toward Pomerado Road, Miramar Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn right onto US 395 Hist
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Pomerado Road
Use the right lane.
10
Continue on US 395 Hist
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Pomerado Road
Use the right lane.
11
Turn right onto Scripps Poway Parkway
5.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Scripps Poway Parkway
Use the right lane.
12
Turn left onto CA 67
7.3 mi
·
10 min
·
CA 67
Use the left / straight lanes.
13
Continue on CA 67
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
CA 67
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on CA 67
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Main Street
15
Turn right onto 10th Street
204 ft
·
9 sec
·
10th Street
16
Turn left
68 ft
·
4 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 50-minute excursion, you have the advantage of being able to depart whenever your schedule allows. There are no planned stops on this route, so ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you head out to cover the $5 estimated cost. Because the entire journey relies on local surface streets, keep a close eye on your navigation to handle the frequent turns required along West Broadway and 11th Avenue. You do not need to worry about pacing this drive, as the short distance makes it easy to complete in a single, relaxed session. Use your flexibility to avoid peak local traffic hours to ensure the smoothest possible transition into Ramona.
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 17.8 miles from San Diego, CA, or about 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 8.9 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 35.6 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 17.8 miles or 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ramona, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving San Diego, CA.
Day 1
Settle into the route from San Diego, CA
This is one driving day of about 35.6 miles and 50m.
At 35.6 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on CA 67 for about 8.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17.8 mi from San Diego, CA · 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 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 35.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 17.8 miles from San Diego, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Ramona, CA
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Ramona, CA if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.18 one way
$16.36 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $8.43 | $16.86 |
| premium | $6.18 | $8.66 | $17.32 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.86 | $15.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.7 | 0 | $3.74 | $1.71 |
| Efficient EV | 8.9 | 0 | $3.11 | $1.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.2 | 0 | $4.98 | $2.28 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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
Ramona, CA
Afternoon in Ramona on Wednesday
Local time
3:56 PM
PDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
18 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
50m 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 San Diego, CA to Ramona, CA covers 35.6 miles and takes about 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are CA 67, Cabrillo Freeway, Scripps Poway Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 17.8 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 $8.18 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 short but busy drive. With 10 decision points packed into just 35.6 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 50m.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Broadway): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (11th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 13.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from San Diego, CA to Ramona, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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