Traveling the 126 miles from Coronado to Los Angeles is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 34 minutes. Since you are staying within the Pacific Coast region, the transition between these two iconic California hubs is seamless and well-suited for a single-day trip. You should budget approximately $17 for fuel to cover the distance. Because this is a highway-focused drive, it’s best viewed as a functional transit route rather than a slow-paced excursion. Whether you are heading north for business or leisure, the route is efficient enough that you won't need to plan for an overnight stay unless your schedule demands it.
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
63 miles from Coronado, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
San Diego Freeway
76.6 mi
1h 29m
Santa Ana Freeway
33.3 mi
39m
I 5 Truck
7.6 mi
8m
El Camino Real
2.2 mi
4m
San Diego–Coronado Bridge
1.5 mi
2m
John J. Montgomery Freeway
1 mi
1m
4th Street
0.7 mi
1m
Orange Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
San Diego Freeway
— 76.6 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Coronado, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on Encino Lane
118 ft·15 sec·Encino Lane
2
Turn left onto E Avenue
389 ft·21 sec·E Avenue
3
Turn right onto 10th Street
0.1 mi·22 sec·10th Street
4
Turn left onto CA 75
0.7 mi·1 min·Orange Avenue
5
Turn right onto CA 75
0.7 mi·1 min·4th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on CA 75
1.5 mi·2 min·San Diego–Coronado Bridge
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 5 North: Downtown
8
Merge onto I 5
1.0 mi·1 min·John J. Montgomery Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 5
15 mi·17 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
36 mi·43 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
18 mi·20 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
7.4 mi·8 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
1.6 mi·1 min·I 5 Truck
Toward Bake ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
6.0 mi·6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the slight right lane.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·16 sec
Exit 100Toward Jamboree RoadUse the slight right lane.
16
Continue on this road
527 ft·11 sec·this road
17
Turn right onto Jamboree Road
0.1 mi·18 sec·Jamboree Road
Use the left / right lanes.
18
Turn left onto El Camino Real
2.2 mi·4 min·El Camino Real
Use the left lane.
19
Turn left onto Newport Avenue
357 ft·13 sec·Newport Avenue
Use the left lane.
20
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·16 sec
Toward I 5 North: Los Angeles
21
Merge onto I 5
1.3 mi·1 min·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
1.7 mi·1 min·Santa Ana Freeway
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
9.4 mi·10 min·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
18 mi·20 min·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto US 101
2.9 mi·4 min·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Exit 2BToward Alameda Street, Union StationUse the slight right lane.
27
Continue on I 10 EXPR
0.2 mi·32 sec·East Arcadia Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
28
Turn left onto North Los Angeles Street
0.3 mi·44 sec·North Los Angeles Street
29
Turn right onto East 1st Street
461 ft·17 sec·East 1st Street
30
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
Given the heavy traffic patterns common on these freeways, planning your departure time is essential to keeping your drive under the 2-hour and 34-minute estimate. You are allotted one stop along the way, so use it strategically to stretch your legs before hitting the more congested sections of the Santa Ana Freeway. Because the route is relatively short, you have the advantage of flexibility; leaving during off-peak hours can significantly reduce your time spent in stop-and-go traffic. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge throughout the trip, as the $17 estimate assumes steady speeds and optimal flow. Aim to time your arrival to avoid the worst of the regional rush hour to ensure a smoother transition into Los Angeles.
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 63 miles from Coronado, CA, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.6 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 28 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63 miles or 1h 17m 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 Los Angeles, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Coronado, 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 Coronado, CA
This is one driving day of about 126 miles and 2h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Coronado, 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 76.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 125.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in|CA 75 / 4th Street
Turn right onto CA 75 / 4th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
81.4 mi into trip|~1h 38m 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
7
89 mi into trip|~1h 47m 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
7
89.3 mi into trip|~1h 47m in|Jamboree Road
Turn right onto Jamboree Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
8
125.3 mi into trip|~2h 32m in
Take the exit toward Alameda Street, Union Station
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 2B
Toward Alameda Street, Union Station
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.96 one way
$57.92 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$29.84
$59.69
premium
$6.18
$30.64
$61.28
diesel
$5.61
$27.82
$55.64
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.8
0
$13.23
$6.05
Efficient EV
31.5
0
$11.02
$5.04
EV Truck/SUV
50.4
0
$17.64
$8.06
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (66% 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 as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Coronado, CA
Late night
in Coronado on Tuesday
Local time
3:34 AM
PDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Late night
in Los Angeles on Tuesday
Local time
3:34 AM
PDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Clear
N 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 17 at 7:10PM PDT until April 18 at 8:00AM PDT by NWS Eureka CA
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
21 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 34m 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.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed experience, as 94% of this journey takes place on major highways. You will rely primarily on the San Diego Freeway and the Santa Ana Freeway, with portions utilizing the I-5 Truck route to manage traffic flow. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a 76.6-mile segment on the San Diego Freeway, which defines the bulk of your time behind the wheel. The road maintains a consistent, high-intensity pace, making it more of an interstate grind than a winding scenic byway. Prepare for steady highway driving conditions that require your full attention as you navigate through these densely populated coastal corridors.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 76.6 mi on San Diego Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 0.9 miles in near CA 75 / 4th Street.
Driving Effort10/10
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 24 significant decision points across 126 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 0.9 miles (CA 75 / 4th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 81.4 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 89 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Coronado is a picturesque resort town in San Diego County in Southern California. It is on a peninsula just across the San Diego Bay from Downtown San Diego and offers quiet beaches, lovely bay scenery, and sights such as the historic Hotel del Coronado.
Top landmarks
•Naval Air Station North Island — United States Navy aviation base in San Diego, California, USA
•Hotel del Coronado — hotel in Coronado, California
Frank Lloyd Wright is said to have quipped, "Tip the world over on its side and everything loose will land in Los Angeles," a quote that has since been repeated both by those who love and hate L.A. The "City of Angels" is home to people who hail from all parts of the globe and an important center of culture, business, media, and international trade. However, it's most famous for being a major center of the world's television, motion picture, and music industry, which forms the base of the city's status and lures visitors for its show business history and celebrity culture. Visitors are also drawn to Los Angeles for its Mediterranean climate and numerous beaches, which gave birth to California's famed surf culture.
Top landmarks
•Hollywood Walk of Fame — more than 2,700 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks...
•Hollywood Sign — sign reading "HOLLYWOOD" located in Los Angeles, California, United States
•Getty Center — campus of the Getty Museum and other programs of the Getty Trust in Los Angeles
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 34m. Total distance: 126 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 76.6 miles on San Diego Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Los Angeles, 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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (CA 75 / 4th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 81.4 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 89 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Cabrillo National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Los Angeles, CA before heading back.
