Encino, CA to San Diego, CA is 141.8 miles and takes about 2h 48m via I 405, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within California, traveling from the Pacific Coast region to another Pacific Coast destination. Expect a straightforward drive with minimal complexity, making it a convenient option for a single-day trip. The majority of the drive is on highways, so if you're looking for a quick and efficient way to get south, this route will get you there without much fuss.
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
70.9 miles from Encino, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
San Diego Freeway
110 mi
2h 8m
San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
12.8 mi
14m
I 405
10.3 mi
11m
Corona Del Mar Freeway
4 mi
4m
Ventura Freeway
1 mi
1m
Front Street
0.5 mi
1m
Magnolia Boulevard
0.5 mi
1m
Balboa Boulevard
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
San Diego Freeway
— 110 mi, about 2h 8m
Traffic on I-405
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 120 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~8,081 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~621 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 43 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 Encino, CA and San Diego, CA.
1
Start on Balboa Boulevard
39 ft·3 sec·Balboa Boulevard
2
Continue on Balboa Boulevard
0.4 mi·54 sec·Balboa Boulevard
3
Turn right onto Magnolia Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·Magnolia Boulevard
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 101 South
5
Merge onto US 101
1.0 mi·1 min·Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward I 405 North, I 405 South: Sacramento, Santa MonicaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 405 South: San Diego Freeway, Santa MonicaUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward I 405 South: San Diego FreewayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 405
13 mi·15 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
27 mi·30 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
2.3 mi·2 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 405
0.2 mi·11 sec·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 405
10 mi·11 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 73
4.0 mi·4 min·Corona Del Mar Freeway
Exit 10Toward CA 73 South: San DiegoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 17Toward Front Street, Civic Center, 2nd AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward Front Street, Civic Center
23
Continue on Front Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Front Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
24
Arrive at destination
Front Street
Trip Plan
For this 141.8-mile drive, leaving Encino in the morning, ideally after the peak commute hours, will help you avoid the worst traffic. The estimated fuel cost is $32, so ensure your tank is full before you depart. With a duration of under 3 hours, this trip is easily manageable in one day, with only one planned stop needed. Keep an eye out for the numerous exits along I 405, as this indicates you're approaching more developed areas where traffic can increase.
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 70.9 miles from Encino, CA, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 110 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 31 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.9 miles or 1h 23m 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 16m
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 Encino, 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 Encino, CA
This is one driving day of about 141.8 miles and 2h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Encino, 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 110 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.3 and 140.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
2.3 mi into trip|~4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 405 South: San Diego Freeway, Santa Monica
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 405 South: San Diego Freeway, Santa Mo...
8
2.6 mi into trip|~4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 405 South: San Diego Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 405 South: San Diego Freeway
8
55.2 mi into trip|~1h 5m in|CA 73 / Corona Del Mar Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 73 / Corona Del Mar Freeway toward CA 73 South: San Diego
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 10
Toward CA 73 South: San Diego
8
69.5 mi into trip|~1h 22m in
Take the exit toward La Paz Road, Moulton Parkway
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 3
Toward La Paz Road, Moulton Parkway
8
140.9 mi into trip|~2h 45m 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
$32.14 one way
$64.28 round trip
$5.76/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.96
$33.25
$66.50
premium
$6.09
$34.01
$68.02
diesel
$5.40
$30.16
$60.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
42.5
0
$14.89
$6.81
Efficient EV
35.5
0
$12.41
$5.67
EV Truck/SUV
56.7
0
$19.85
$9.08
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 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 26, 2026
Origin
Encino, CA
Late night
in Encino on Sunday
Local time
12:48 AM
PDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
San Diego, CA
Late night
in San Diego on Sunday
Local time
12:48 AM
PDT
Current temp
58°F
Rain Showers Likely
W 5 to 10 mph71% chanceLive 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
75°F
Santa Ana, CA
71 mi in
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
15 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 48m 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 141.8
Park Closure: Park Auditorium Closed Until Further Notice
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend 88% of this trip on highways, with the longest continuous stretch on the San Diego Freeway covering 110 miles. The transition from highway to surface roads will occur near the end of your trip. Given the high percentage of highway driving, be prepared for frequent on- and off-ramps as you navigate through urban and suburban areas.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 110 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 San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 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 19 significant decision points across 141.8 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 2.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.2 miles (CA 73 / Corona Del Mar Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 48m. Total distance: 141.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 110 miles on San Diego Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.2 miles (CA 73 / Corona Del Mar Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Cabrillo National Monument and Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. 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 San Diego, CA before heading back.
