Origin
Concord, CA
Afternoon in Concord on Sunday
Local time
3:38 PM
PDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Concord, CA to San Diego, CA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
9h 14m
Distance
490.5 mi
789 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$113
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
9h 7m
★
6 AM
9h 15m
8 AM
9h 32m
10 AM
9h 21m
12 PM
9h 19m
3 PM
9h 22m
5 PM
9h 31m
8 PM
9h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Concord, CA
Wikimedia Commons
San Diego, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 490.5-mile journey from Concord, CA to San Diego, CA is a significant drive, taking approximately 9 hours and 14 minutes. Given the duration, it's best planned as a two-day trip, allowing for a more relaxed pace and time to enjoy the drive. The route is predominantly highway, with 94% of it on major freeways like the Westside Freeway and I-5. Expect a fuel cost of around $113 for this trip. This highway-focused drive will take you through the Pacific Coast region of California, offering a straightforward path down the state.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
245.3 miles from Concord, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 29m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 224.4 mi | 4h |
| I 5 Truck | 83.3 mi | 1h 36m |
| San Diego Freeway | 76.5 mi | 1h 29m |
| Santa Ana Freeway | 35 mi | 40m |
| Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway | 19.2 mi | 22m |
| William Elton Brown Freeway | 17 mi | 18m |
| Donald D Doyle Highway | 14.8 mi | 17m |
| Golden State Freeway | 5.3 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 224.4 mi, about 4h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Concord, CA and San Diego, CA.
1
Start on Willow Pass Road
143 ft
·
8 sec
·
Willow Pass Road
2
Turn left onto East Street
423 ft
·
25 sec
·
East Street
3
Turn left onto Salvio Street
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
Salvio Street
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto Concord Avenue
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
Concord Avenue
5
Continue on Concord Avenue
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Concord Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward CA 242 South
Use the right lane.
7
Merge onto CA 242
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
CA 242
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 680
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 680
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Donald D Doyle Highway
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Donald D Doyle Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 30A
Toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 580: Stockton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 580
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
11 mi
·
11 min
·
William Elton Brown Freeway
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
William Elton Brown Freeway
18
Merge onto I 5
224 mi
·
4 hr
·
Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
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.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
25 mi
·
29 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
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.
24
Merge onto I 5
26 mi
·
30 min
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
57 sec
Toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
Toward I 5 South
29
Merge onto I 5
0.8 mi
·
54 sec
·
Santa Ana Freeway
30
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi
·
52 sec
·
Santa Ana Freeway
31
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 102
Toward Newport Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
33
Turn right onto Newport Avenue
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
Newport Avenue
Use the right lane.
34
Turn left onto Walnut Avenue
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Walnut Avenue
35
Turn left onto Jamboree Road
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
·
Jamboree Road
Toward CA 261 Toll North: Jamboree Road, Riverside
Use the left lane.
36
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I 5 South
37
Merge onto I 5
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Merge onto I 5
76 mi
·
1 hr 29 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 17
Toward Front Street, Civic Center, 2nd Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward Front Street, Civic Center
42
Continue on Front Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Front Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
43
Arrive at destination
Front Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 9-hour drive, consider splitting it into two days, especially with only 2 recommended stops. Leaving early in the morning can help you beat some of the traffic, particularly as you head south. The longest stretch is over 200 miles, so plan your fuel stops accordingly to avoid any low-tank anxiety. With the majority of the route on freeways, you'll have plenty of opportunities for rest areas and services. A good pacing strategy would be to aim for roughly half the distance or duration on your first day.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 245.3 miles from Concord, CA, or about 4h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 224.4 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 108 miles or 2h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 245.3 miles or 4h 29m 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 245.3 miles or 4h 29m
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 8h 3m
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 Concord, 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 Concord, CA
Aim for roughly 245 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into San Diego, CA
Aim for roughly 245 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 108 miles from Concord, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 224.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
245 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 Santa Clarita, CAOvernight Options
Night 1
245 mi · about 4.6h in
A practical overnight split lands near Santa Clarita, CA after about 245 miles or 4.6 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 108 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 245.3 miles from Concord, 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 224.4 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 245 miles or 4.6 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 385 decision points cluster between mile 22.5 and 406.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
22.5 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Take the exit toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
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 30A
Toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
8
22.7 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
8
346.7 mi into trip
|
~6h 22m 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
371.7 mi into trip
|
~6h 52m 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
406.1 mi into trip
|
~7h 34m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$112.74 one way
$225.48 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
172 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $116.18 | $232.35 |
| premium | $6.18 | $119.28 | $238.57 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $108.30 | $216.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$113
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$243–$353
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 171.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $52 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 147.2 | 1 | $51.50 | $23.54 |
| Efficient EV | 122.6 | 1 | $42.92 | $19.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 196.2 | 2 | $68.67 | $31.39 |
Gas CO2
172 kg
EV CO2
57 kg (67% 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
Afternoon in San Diego on Sunday
Local time
3:38 PM
PDT
Current temp
55°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 5 mph
0% chance
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
11 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
9h 14m 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.
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
near mile 490.5
Park Closure: Park Auditorium Closed Until Further Notice
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
National Memorial
On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two s...
5 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of American civilians on the WWII home front. Discover how diverse communities lived, worked, and interacted. Many faces, many stories, many truths...
19 mi from route
~46 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultura...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
Free
near mile 338.3
View on nps.gov
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park celebrates America’s maritime heritage on the Pacific Coast. Our 50-acre park has grown around Aquatic Park Cove, a protected area...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
César E. Chávez National Monument
National Monument
Yes, we can! Widely recognized as the most important Latino leader in the United States during the twentieth century, Cesar Chavez led farm workers and supporters in the establishment of the country's...
28 mi from route
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 287.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Primarily a highway-focused drive, you'll spend most of your time on major freeways, covering 94% of the 490.5 miles on roads like the Westside Freeway and San Diego Freeway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 224.4 miles on the Westside Freeway, so be prepared for sustained driving. While largely an interstate experience, the character is defined by efficiency and covering ground quickly. This route prioritizes direct travel over winding scenic byways, making it a consistent and predictable drive.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
43 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 224.4 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 22.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 38 significant decision points across 490.5 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 22.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 346.7 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Concord, CA and San Diego, CA, road signs point toward Santa Ana, Broadway and Riverside.
Santa Ana
371.7 mi in
|
~6h 52m
|
via I 5
Broadway
399 mi in
|
~7h 24m
Riverside
406.1 mi in
|
~7h 34m
|
via Jamboree Road
About the Cities
Starting in Concord, CA
Full guide →Concord is a residential and business city in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area in the state of California.
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).
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 224.4 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 245 miles on day one.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at San Diego, CA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 22.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 346.7 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Cabrillo National Monument, Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial and Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.2 hours each way, a round trip means 18.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at San Diego, CA before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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