Origin
Coto De Caza, CA
Night in Coto De Caza on Saturday
Local time
11:11 PM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Coto De Caza, CA to San Diego, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 26, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 37m
Distance
76.6 mi
123 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
36 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 30m
★
6 AM
1h 38m
8 AM
1h 52m
10 AM
1h 43m
12 PM
1h 41m
3 PM
1h 43m
5 PM
1h 51m
8 PM
1h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Coto De Caza, CA
Wikimedia Commons
San Diego, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Coto De Caza, CA to San Diego, CA is 76.6 miles and takes about 1h 37m via San Diego Freeway, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within California, traversing the Pacific Coast region. It's a straightforward drive that primarily utilizes major freeways, making it a quick and efficient option for getting from point A to point B. Consider this trip if you're looking for a simple, direct connection between these two Southern California locales without extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
38.3 miles from Coto De Caza, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego Freeway | 58.5 mi | 1h 8m |
| La Pata Avenue | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| Los Patrones Parkway | 2.6 mi | 2m |
| Coto de Caza Drive | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Avenida la Pata | 2 mi | 3m |
| Oso Parkway | 2 mi | 2m |
| Avenida Pico | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Chiquita Canyon Drive | 1.7 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
San Diego Freeway
— 58.5 mi, about 1h 8m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 32 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
11 AM
~4,862 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~1,099 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
4.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 9 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Coto De Caza, CA and San Diego, CA.
1
Start on Via Barcaza
144 ft
·
8 sec
·
Via Barcaza
2
Turn right onto Coto de Caza Drive
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Coto de Caza Drive
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto Oso Parkway
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Oso Parkway
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 14
Toward Los Patrones Parkway South
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
5
Continue on Los Patrones Parkway
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Los Patrones Parkway
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
Toward Chiquita Canyon Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Turn right onto Chiquita Canyon Drive
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Chiquita Canyon Drive
Use the right lane.
8
Enter roundabout onto Chiquita Canyon Drive
171 ft
·
2 sec
·
Chiquita Canyon Drive
9
Continue on Chiquita Canyon Drive
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
Chiquita Canyon Drive
10
Enter roundabout onto Chiquita Canyon Drive
172 ft
·
2 sec
·
Chiquita Canyon Drive
11
Continue on Chiquita Canyon Drive
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
Chiquita Canyon Drive
12
Turn right onto Cow Camp Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Cow Camp Road
13
Turn left onto Antonio Parkway
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
·
Antonio Parkway
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on La Pata Avenue
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
La Pata Avenue
Use the left / uturn / straight lanes.
15
Continue on Avenida la Pata
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Avenida la Pata
Use the left / uturn lanes.
16
Turn right onto Avenida Pico
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Avenida Pico
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 5 South
Use the left lane.
18
Merge onto I 5
59 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 17
Toward Front Street, Civic Center, 2nd Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward Front Street, Civic Center
21
Continue on Front Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Front Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
22
Arrive at destination
Front Street
Trip Plan
Given this route is only 76.6 miles and takes under two hours, it's best suited for a single-day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave in the morning to avoid potential afternoon traffic congestion. With only 1 stop and 0 recommended overnight stays, you won't need to plan for extensive breaks, though it's always wise to fuel up before you start, especially since the estimated fuel cost is $18. Pay attention to the transition from freeway to surface roads, as this is where you'll need to be most aware of local traffic.
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 38.3 miles from Coto De Caza, CA, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.5 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 17 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.3 miles or 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 22m
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 Coto De Caza, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Coto De Caza, CA
This is one driving day of about 76.6 miles and 1h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Coto De Caza, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on San Diego Freeway for about 58.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
38 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 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 38.3 miles from Coto De Caza, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 145 decision points cluster between mile 2.2 and 76 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.2 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
Oso Parkway
Turn right onto Oso Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
4.2 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Turn left toward Los Patrones Parkway South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Exit 14
Toward Los Patrones Parkway South
7
17 mi into trip
|
~25m in
Turn left toward I 5 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 5 South
8
75.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
Take the exit toward Front Street, Civic Center, 2nd Avenue
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 17
Toward Front Street, Civic Center, 2nd Avenue
7
76 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Front Street, Civic Center
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Front Street, Civic Center
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.36 one way
$34.72 round trip
$5.76/gal
25.4 MPG avg
27 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.96 | $17.96 | $35.92 |
| premium | $6.09 | $18.37 | $36.74 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $16.29 | $32.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
EV Charging Along Route
36 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
ChargePoint Charging Station
San Diego, California
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
San Diego, California
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
San Diego, California
Tesla
1 DCFC
Electrify America Charging Station
San Diego, California
Electrify America
1 DCFC
Blink Charging Station
San Diego, California
Blink
1 DCFC
Blink Charging Station
San Diego, California
Blink
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
San Diego, California
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
EVgo Charging Station
San Diego, California
EVgo
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 26
Blink: 4
Other: 3
Tesla: 1
Electrify America: 1
EVgo: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23 | 0 | $8.04 | $3.68 |
| Efficient EV | 19.2 | 0 | $6.70 | $3.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30.6 | 0 | $10.72 | $4.90 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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
San Diego, CA
Night in San Diego on Saturday
Local time
11:11 PM
PDT
Current temp
58°F
Rain Showers Likely
W 5 to 10 mph
71% chance
Live forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 25 at 6:51PM PDT until April 27 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 25 at 1:57PM PDT until April 26 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 37m 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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
$20
near mile 76.6
Park Closure: Park Auditorium Closed Until Further Notice
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 83% of the 76.6 miles on freeways like the San Diego Freeway. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 58.5 miles on the San Diego Freeway, indicating extended periods of consistent cruising. Surface roads like La Pata Avenue and Los Patrones Parkway will be used for the remaining miles, likely at the beginning and end of the trip.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 58.5 mi on San Diego Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on San Diego Freeway and La Pata Avenue. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.2 miles in near Oso Parkway.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 76.6 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.2 miles (Oso Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 17 miles: 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.
On the drive from Coto De Caza, CA to San Diego, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Los Patrones Parkway South along the way.
Los Patrones Parkway South
4.2 mi in
|
~6m
About the Cities
Starting in Coto De Caza, CA
Full guide →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).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 37m. Total distance: 76.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 58.5 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 San Diego, CA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.2 miles (Oso Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 17 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at San Diego, CA before heading back.
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, NREL for EV charging, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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