Trip from Sierra Madre, CA to San Diego, CA

Drive Time

2h 38m

Distance

135.8 mi

219 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$31

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min

4 AM

2h 28m ★

6 AM

2h 38m

8 AM

2h 59m

10 AM

2h 46m

12 PM

2h 44m

3 PM

2h 47m

5 PM

2h 58m

8 PM

2h 32m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Sierra Madre, CA

Ernesto Tijerina Cantú

San Diego, CA

Lindsey Willard

Trip Overview

Traveling from Sierra Madre to San Diego covers 130.8 miles of Pacific Coast territory, typically requiring about 2 hours and 4 minutes of road time. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $18 for fuel to complete the journey. By utilizing Foothill Boulevard, North Baldwin Avenue, and I-210 East, you will navigate through local landscapes before hitting the primary transit corridors. Whether you are heading south for business or a quick getaway, this straightforward drive offers a reliable connection between these two Southern California points.

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

67.9 miles from Sierra Madre, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 21m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you transition out of the Sierra Madre area. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this 130.8-mile journey features a 0% highway share, meaning you will spend your time navigating surface streets rather than cruising on open freeways. The road personality shifts from the initial local turns onto the more structured flow of the I-210 East. Because the route relies heavily on local infrastructure, the driving experience remains engaging and requires constant navigation through varying traffic patterns. You will find that the character of the road is defined by its technical, localized nature rather than high-speed stretches.

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

There are about 32 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 1 miles in near North Baldwin Avenue.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 135.8 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 1 miles (North Baldwin Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 14 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 key points

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

1 mi into trip | ~2m in | North Baldwin Avenue

Turn right onto North Baldwin Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

1.1 mi into trip | ~2m in

Turn left toward I 210 East: San Bernardino

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 210 East: San Bernardino

14 mi into trip | ~17m in

Take the exit toward CA 57 South: Santa Ana

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 44A Toward CA 57 South: Santa Ana

18.1 mi into trip | ~23m in

Take the exit toward CA 71: Corona

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 22C Toward CA 71: Corona

39.4 mi into trip | ~50m 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...

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	12.8 mi	14m
Foothill Freeway	12.7 mi	14m
Cabrillo Freeway	8.2 mi	9m
Tony Gwynn Memorial Freeway	4.5 mi	5m

Longest stretch: Avocado Highway — 21.9 mi, about 23m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on South Baldwin Avenue

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Baldwin Avenue

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto Foothill Boulevard

0.2 mi · 28 sec · Foothill Boulevard

Use the left / straight lanes.

Turn right onto North Baldwin Avenue

0.1 mi · 20 sec · North Baldwin Avenue

Use the right lane.

Turn left

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Toward I 210 East: San Bernardino Use the left lane.

Merge onto I 210

12 mi · 14 min · Foothill Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 210

0.5 mi · 32 sec · Foothill Freeway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min

Exit 44A Toward CA 57 South: Santa Ana Use the slight right lane.

Continue on CA 57

3.2 mi · 3 min · Orange Freeway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

1.1 mi · 2 min

Exit 22C Toward CA 71: Corona Use the slight right lane.

Continue on CA 71

13 mi · 14 min · Chino Valley Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on CA 71

2.9 mi · 3 min · Corona Freeway

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min

Toward CA 91 East: Riverside Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto CA 91

3.9 mi · 4 min · Riverside Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

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.

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.

Merge onto I 15

14 mi · 15 min · Corona Freeway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 15

19 mi · 20 min · Temecula Valley Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 15

5.8 mi · 6 min · Escondido Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 15

22 mi · 23 min · Avocado Highway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 15

3.4 mi · 3 min · Escondido Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 15

8.7 mi · 10 min · Escondido Freeway

Use the slight right lane.

Continue on I 15

4.5 mi · 5 min · Tony Gwynn Memorial Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 15

3.1 mi · 3 min · Escondido Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 15

2.2 mi · 2 min · Semper Fi Highway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 51 sec

Exit 12 Toward CA 163 South Use the slight right lane.

Continue on CA 163

8.2 mi · 9 min · Cabrillo Freeway

Toward CA 163 Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on CA 163

1.5 mi · 1 min · Cabrillo Parkway

Use the none lane.

Continue on CA 163

0.8 mi · 1 min · Cabrillo Parkway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on CA 163

0.3 mi · 41 sec · 10th Avenue

Use the straight / left lanes.

Turn right onto Broadway

0.5 mi · 1 min · Broadway

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto Front Street

26 ft · 0 sec · Front Street

Use the left lane.

Arrive at destination

Front Street

Trip Plan

Since this 2-hour and 4-minute trip is relatively short, you have the flexibility to depart whenever your schedule allows. Keep in mind that because the route consists entirely of local roads, you should factor in extra time for traffic signals and intersections that you wouldn't encounter on a standard interstate. With an estimated fuel cost of $18, it is wise to top off your tank before leaving Sierra Madre to avoid searching for stations during the more congested segments of your drive. Because there are no designated stops required, you can pace the journey according to your own needs. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay alert when transitioning from the initial Foothill Boulevard and North Baldwin Avenue sections onto the I-210 East, as these turn-heavy segments require precise navigation.

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 67.9 miles from Sierra Madre, CA, or about 1h 21m 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 34m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 67.9 miles or 1h 21m 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 9m

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 Sierra Madre, 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 Sierra Madre, CA

This is one driving day of about 135.8 miles and 2h 38m.

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

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 67.9 mi from Sierra Madre, CA · 1h 21m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Moreno Valley, CA

68 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.

Moreno Valley, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 67.9 miles from Sierra Madre, 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

$31.45 one way

$62.90 round trip

$5.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 48 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$6.07	$32.43	$64.86
premium	$6.24	$33.38	$66.76
diesel	$5.64	$30.17	$60.34

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$31

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$56–$81

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 47.5 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	40.7	$14.26	$6.52
Efficient EV	34	$11.88	$5.43
EV Truck/SUV	54.3	$19.01	$8.69

Gas CO2

48 kg

EV CO2

16 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 3 days ago

Origin

Sierra Madre, CA

Evening in Sierra Madre on Sunday

Local time

6:04 PM

PDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

San Diego, CA

Evening in San Diego on Sunday

Local time

6:04 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

19 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 38m 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 Sierra Madre, CA to San Diego, CA covers 135.8 miles and takes about 2h 38m 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 67.9 miles from Sierra Madre, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.45 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 Sierra Madre, 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

Explore more options from Sierra Madre, CA or browse trips ending in San Diego, CA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.

Explore maps for Sierra Madre, CA or San Diego, CA on MapSof.net.

Trip from Sierra Madre, CA to San Diego, 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 San Diego, CA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Sierra Madre, CA

San Diego, CA

Same local time

19 degrees warmer at arrival

2h 38m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Was this route helpful?

Explore More

Continue From San Diego, CA

More from Sierra Madre, CA

More trips to San Diego, CA