Water
0 mi from route
Trip from Firebaugh, CA to San Diego, CA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 4m
Distance
364.4 mi
586 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$84
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 53m
★
6 AM
7h 4m
8 AM
7h 26m
10 AM
7h 12m
12 PM
7h 10m
3 PM
7h 13m
5 PM
7h 25m
8 PM
6h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Firebaugh, CA
Stephen Leonardi
San Diego, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Firebaugh, CA to San Diego, CA is 364.4 miles and takes about 7h 4m via I 5 Truck and San Diego Freeway, with a fuel budget near $84 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a direct, mostly highway route connecting two points within California's Pacific Coast region. Given its duration, it's a feasible same-day trip for most drivers looking to get from the Central Valley area down to Southern California efficiently. Expect a straightforward drive focused on covering ground.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
182.2 miles from Firebaugh, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 27m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 127.4 mi | 2h 16m |
| I 5 Truck | 83.3 mi | 1h 36m |
| San Diego Freeway | 76.5 mi | 1h 29m |
| Santa Ana Freeway | 35 mi | 40m |
| Derrick Avenue | 22.8 mi | 31m |
| CA 33 | 7.5 mi | 10m |
| Golden State Freeway | 5.3 mi | 6m |
| Walnut Avenue | 2.2 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 127.4 mi, about 2h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Firebaugh, CA and San Diego, CA.
1
Start on O Street
384 ft
·
12 sec
·
O Street
2
Turn right onto 12th Street
369 ft
·
9 sec
·
12th Street
3
Turn left onto CA 33
7.5 mi
·
10 min
·
CA 33
4
Continue on Derrick Avenue
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
Derrick Avenue
5
Turn straight onto Derrick Avenue
23 mi
·
31 min
·
Derrick Avenue
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
7
Merge onto I 5; CA 33
127 mi
·
2 hr 16 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
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.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
25 mi
·
29 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
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.
13
Merge onto I 5
26 mi
·
30 min
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
57 sec
Toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
Toward I 5 South
18
Merge onto I 5
0.8 mi
·
54 sec
·
Santa Ana Freeway
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi
·
52 sec
·
Santa Ana Freeway
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 102
Toward Newport Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
22
Turn right onto Newport Avenue
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
Newport Avenue
Use the right lane.
23
Turn left onto Walnut Avenue
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Walnut Avenue
24
Turn left onto Jamboree Road
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
·
Jamboree Road
Toward CA 261 Toll North: Jamboree Road, Riverside
Use the left lane.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I 5 South
26
Merge onto I 5
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Merge onto I 5
76 mi
·
1 hr 29 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 17
Toward Front Street, Civic Center, 2nd Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward Front Street, Civic Center
31
Continue on Front Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Front Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
32
Arrive at destination
Front Street
Trip Plan
To maximize daylight and minimize traffic, aim to depart Firebaugh in the early morning. With a drive time of just over 7 hours, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day, but plan for your two recommended stops to stretch your legs and refuel. The longest stretch without a major road change is 127.4 miles, so ensure you have adequate fuel before starting that segment. Keep an eye on the fuel cost estimate of $84, and factor in potential price variations along the way.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 182.2 miles from Firebaugh, CA, or about 3h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 127.4 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 80 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 182.2 miles or 3h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 52m
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 Firebaugh, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Firebaugh, CA
This is one driving day of about 364.4 miles and 7h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Firebaugh, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 127.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
182 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 182.2 miles from Firebaugh, 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 127.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Aliso Creek Rest Area (Southbound)
0 mi from route
EZ Trip Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Castaic Truck Stop
0.1 mi from route
Buttonwillow Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Buttonwillow Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Coalinga Avenal Safety Roadside Rest Area - Northbound
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
EZ Trip Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Coalinga - Avenal Rest Area - Southbound
0.2 mi from route
Coalinga - Avenal Rest Area - Northbound
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Aliso Creek Rest Area (Northbound)
0.2 mi from route
Tejon Pass Rest Area - Northbound
0.2 mi from route
Tejon Pass Rest Area - Southbound
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Lost Hills Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.4 mi from route
Rest Area
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.9 mi from route
Rayzilla Viewpoint
1.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.3 mi from route
Rayzilla Rest Area
1.3 mi from route
Rest Area
1.6 mi from route
Rest Area
1.7 mi from route
Rest Area
1.8 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.9 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 265 decision points cluster between mile 220.6 and 363.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
220.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 11m 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
245.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 41m 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...
7
272.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 13m in
Take the exit toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
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.
Toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
8
280 mi into trip
|
~5h 23m 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
363.5 mi into trip
|
~7h 1m 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
$83.75 one way
$167.51 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
128 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $86.31 | $172.62 |
| premium | $6.18 | $88.62 | $177.24 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $80.45 | $160.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$84
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$109–$134
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 127.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 109.3 | 1 | $38.26 | $17.49 |
| Efficient EV | 91.1 | 1 | $31.88 | $14.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 145.8 | 1 | $51.02 | $23.32 |
Gas CO2
127 kg
EV CO2
43 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Firebaugh, CA
Evening in Firebaugh on Sunday
Local time
8:47 PM
PDT
Current temp
85°F
Mostly Sunny
ESE 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
San Diego, CA
Evening in San Diego on Sunday
Local time
8:47 PM
PDT
Current temp
74°F
Sunny
W 0 to 10 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.
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
7h 4m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 364.4
Park Closure: Park Auditorium Closed Until Further Notice
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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 213.6
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...
29 mi from route
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 163.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily on highways, with 92% of the 364.4 miles on freeways. Your longest continuous stretch on a single road will be 127.4 miles on the Westside Freeway. You'll experience a predominantly highway feel for most of the trip, with the surface roads making up the remaining 29.15 miles. Watch for increasing traffic density as you approach the San Diego area.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 127.4 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 220.6 miles in near I 5 Truck.
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 26 significant decision points across 364.4 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 220.6 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 245.6 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 272.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Firebaugh, CA and San Diego, CA, road signs point toward Santa Ana, Broadway and Riverside.
Santa Ana
245.6 mi in
|
~4h 41m
|
via I 5
Broadway
272.8 mi in
|
~5h 13m
Riverside
280 mi in
|
~5h 23m
|
via Jamboree Road
About the Cities
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 7h 4m. Total distance: 364.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 4m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 127.4 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 29 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 29 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 220.6 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 245.6 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 272.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Cabrillo National Monument, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and César E. Chávez National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.1 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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