Embarking on the 512.2-mile journey from Daly City to San Diego is a significant undertaking that typically requires about 7 hours and 57 minutes of driving time. While it is technically possible to complete this trip in a single day, be prepared for a long stretch behind the wheel. You will navigate through local roads like Mission Circle, Bepler Street, and San Jose Avenue as you transition across the California Pacific Coast region. With a fuel budget of approximately $70, you should factor in at least two planned stops to keep yourself refreshed. This route is best suited for those who enjoy long-distance travel and are comfortable with a full day of navigation. Whether you push through in one go or break it up, careful planning is essential for a smooth arrival.
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
254 miles from Daly City, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 41m 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
29.3 mi
33m
William Elton Brown Freeway
17 mi
18m
MacArthur Freeway
15.9 mi
18m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
5.8 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 224.4 mi, about 4h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Daly City, CA and San Diego, CA.
1
Start on Hillcrest Drive
194 ft·11 sec·Hillcrest Drive
2
Turn right onto Mission Circle
332 ft·15 sec·Mission Circle
3
Turn right onto Bepler Street
299 ft·20 sec·Bepler Street
4
Turn left onto CA 82
0.4 mi·58 sec·San Jose Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 280 North: Civic Center, Bay Bridge
6
Merge onto I 280
3.0 mi·3 min·John F Foran Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 280
3.0 mi·3 min·Southern Embarcadero Freeway
Exit 54BToward I 280 North: Downtown San Francisco, Sixth StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 57Toward 6th StreetUse the slight right lane.
9
Turn right onto Brannan Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·Brannan Street
Use the right lane.
10
Turn left onto 5th Street
0.1 mi·19 sec·5th Street
Use the left lane.
11
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·44 sec
Toward I 80 East: Bay Bridge, OaklandUse the slight right / right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 80
0.2 mi·22 sec·Route 80
13
Continue on I 80
5.8 mi·8 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 8BToward I 580 East: Downtown Oakland, Hayward-StocktonUse the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto I 580
16 mi·18 min·MacArthur Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Merge onto I 580
12 mi·13 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
18 mi·20 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
11 mi·11 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
5.9 mi·6 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
20
Merge onto I 5
224 mi·4 hr·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
0.3 mi·17 sec·I 5 Truck
Exit 158Toward I 405 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
25 mi·29 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
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 AnaUse the slight left / straight lanes.
26
Merge onto I 5
26 mi·30 min·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
0.2 mi·16 sec·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.8 mi·57 sec
Toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa AnaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·10 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·12 sec
Toward I 5 South
31
Merge onto I 5
0.8 mi·54 sec·Santa Ana Freeway
32
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi·52 sec·Santa Ana Freeway
33
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
1.2 mi·1 min·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 102Toward Newport AvenueUse the slight right lane.
35
Turn right onto Newport Avenue
0.4 mi·44 sec·Newport Avenue
Use the right lane.
36
Turn left onto Walnut Avenue
2.2 mi·4 min·Walnut Avenue
37
Turn left onto Jamboree Road
0.5 mi·37 sec·Jamboree Road
Toward CA 261 Toll North: Jamboree Road, RiversideUse the left lane.
38
Take the exit
0.3 mi·21 sec
Toward I 5 South
39
Merge onto I 5
5.5 mi·6 min·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi·55 sec·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Merge onto I 5
76 mi·1 hr 29 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 17Toward Front Street, Civic Center, 2nd AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
43
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward Front Street, Civic Center
44
Continue on Front Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Front Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
45
Arrive at destination
Front Street
Trip Plan
To tackle this 7-hour and 57-minute drive effectively, aim to depart as early as possible to avoid peak local traffic on your initial roads. Since you have two scheduled stops, use these intervals to stretch and refuel, keeping your $70 fuel budget in mind as you monitor your vehicle's consumption. Given the nature of these local roads, keep a close eye on your navigation system, as the lack of highway miles means you will be making more turns than on a standard interstate route. If you find the 512.2-mile distance too taxing for a single day, consider splitting the trip to maintain your safety and comfort. A practical tip for this route is to map out your two stops in advance, ensuring they align with your fuel needs before you leave Daly City.
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 254 miles from Daly City, CA, or about 4h 41m 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 112 miles or 2h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 254 miles or 4h 41m 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 254 miles or 4h 41m
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 25m
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 Daly City, 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 Daly City, CA
Aim for roughly 254 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into San Diego, CA
Aim for roughly 254 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 112 miles from Daly City, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 41
5 decision points cluster between mile 14.2 and 507.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
14.2 mi into trip|~20m in
Take the exit toward I 580 East: Downtown Oakland, Hayward-Stockton
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 8B
Toward I 580 East: Downtown Oakland, Hayward-St...
8
364.3 mi into trip|~6h 44m 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
389.2 mi into trip|~7h 14m 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
423.6 mi into trip|~7h 56m 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...
8
507.2 mi into trip|~9h 34m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$116.76 one way
$233.52 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg178 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$120.32
$240.64
premium
$6.18
$123.54
$247.08
diesel
$5.61
$112.16
$224.32
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$117
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$247–$357
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 177.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $53 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
152.4
1
$53.34
$24.38
Efficient EV
127
1
$44.45
$20.32
EV Truck/SUV
203.2
2
$71.12
$32.51
Gas CO2
178 kg
EV CO2
59 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.
Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Daly City, CA
Late night
in Daly City on Sunday
Local time
2:54 AM
PDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
San Diego, CA
Late night
in San Diego on Sunday
Local time
2:54 AM
PDT
Current temp
55°F
Partly Cloudy
NW 5 to 15 mph6% chanceLive 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
7 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
9h 36m 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 508
Park Closure: Park Auditorium Closed Until Further Notice
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...
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 17.5
Experience a park so rich it supports 19 distinct ecosystems with over 2,000 plant and animal species. Go for a hike, enjoy a vista, have a picnic or learn about the centuries of overlapping history f...
Walk among old growth coast redwoods, cooling their roots in the fresh water of Redwood Creek and lifting their crowns to reach the sun and fog. Federally protected as a National Monument since 1908,...
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...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 17.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip offers a distinct departure from standard interstate travel, as your route relies on local roads rather than major freeways. You will spend 0% of your journey on highways, which means the driving experience is defined by local thoroughfares like Mission Circle and San Jose Avenue. Because the longest stretch on Mission Circle is 0 miles, you should anticipate frequent transitions and a more hands-on driving experience. The character of the road remains consistent as you traverse the Pacific Coast, requiring your full attention throughout the 512.2-mile trek. Expect a steady, focused pace that prioritizes local navigation over the high-speed monotony of typical long-distance corridors.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
45 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 14.2 miles in.
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 41 significant decision points across 508 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 14.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 364.3 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 389.2 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,865 ft39 ft
Total Climb
3,200 ft
Total Descent
3,568 ft
Highest Point
2,865 ft
~338.7 mi in
Elevation Range
2,825 ft
Notable High Points
2,865 ft at ~338.7 miles+1,092 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Daly City, CA and San Diego, CA, road signs point toward Santa Ana, Broadway and Riverside.
Daly City is a city in northernmost part of San Mateo County on the Peninsula of the San Francisco Bay Area in California, directly south of San Francisco proper.
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
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 254 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 14.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 364.3 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 389.2 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Cabrillo National Monument, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park 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 9.6 hours each way, a round trip means 19.2 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.
