Traveling from Ladera Heights to San Diego covers 125.9 miles along the Pacific Coast, making it a straightforward journey that fits perfectly into a single day. You can expect to spend about 2 hours and 30 minutes behind the wheel, depending on traffic conditions. With a fuel budget of approximately $29, this trip is an efficient way to transition between these two Southern California hubs. Because the drive is relatively short, there is no need for an overnight stay, giving you maximum flexibility for your itinerary. Whether you are heading south for business or a quick getaway, this route provides a reliable connection across the region.
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
62.9 miles from Ladera Heights, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
San Diego Freeway
94.4 mi
1h 50m
San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
12.8 mi
14m
I 405
10.3 mi
11m
Corona Del Mar Freeway
4 mi
4m
South La Cienega Boulevard
1.3 mi
2m
Front Street
0.5 mi
1m
Bedford Avenue
0.3 mi
1m
West Slauson Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
San Diego Freeway
— 94.4 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ladera Heights, CA and San Diego, CA.
1
Start on Bedford Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·Bedford Avenue
2
At end of road, turn left onto West 57th Street
319 ft·15 sec·West 57th Street
3
Turn right onto South Sherbourne Drive
402 ft·23 sec·South Sherbourne Drive
4
At end of road, turn left onto West Slauson Avenue
0.3 mi·34 sec·West Slauson Avenue
5
Turn right
0.2 mi·16 sec
Toward South La Cienega Boulevard
6
Turn straight onto South La Cienega Boulevard
1.3 mi·2 min·South La Cienega Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·13 sec
Toward I 405 South: San Diego Freeway, Long BeachUse the slight left lane.
8
Merge onto I 405
24 mi·27 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
2.3 mi·2 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 405
0.2 mi·11 sec·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 405
10 mi·11 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
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.
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
Since you only have one planned stop on this 125.9-mile route, it is best to time your departure to avoid the heaviest Southern California traffic peaks. Planning your single break around the halfway point can help keep you energized for the final leg into San Diego. Keep in mind that the reliance on major corridors means traffic patterns can fluctuate significantly, so check your navigation app before pulling out of your driveway. Having your $29 fuel budget ready ensures you won't need to scramble for gas stations during the drive. Take advantage of the short duration to enjoy a relaxed start to your morning rather than rushing to beat the clock.
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 62.9 miles from Ladera Heights, CA, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.4 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 28 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.9 miles or 1h 15m 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 2m
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 Ladera Heights, 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 Ladera Heights, CA
This is one driving day of about 125.9 miles and 2h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Ladera Heights, 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 94.4 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 39.3 and 125.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
39.3 mi into trip|~48m 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
53.7 mi into trip|~1h 4m 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
7
54.2 mi into trip|~1h 5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CA 73 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 73 South
8
125.1 mi into trip|~2h 28m 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
125.3 mi into trip|~2h 28m 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
$28.94 one way
$57.87 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$29.82
$59.64
premium
$6.18
$30.62
$61.23
diesel
$5.61
$27.80
$55.59
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
$13.22
$6.04
Efficient EV
31.5
0
$11.02
$5.04
EV Truck/SUV
50.4
0
$17.63
$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 16, 2026
Origin
Ladera Heights, CA
Late night
in Ladera Heights on Tuesday
Local time
5:35 AM
PDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
San Diego, CA
Late night
in San Diego on Tuesday
Local time
5:35 AM
PDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
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
12 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 30m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 125.9
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?
This is a highway-focused drive that relies heavily on major thoroughfares, with 86% of the journey spent on high-speed roads. You will primarily navigate the San Diego Freeway, the San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor, and I-405 as you make your way south. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 94.4 miles on the San Diego Freeway, which defines the bulk of your time in the driver's seat. While the route is efficient, be prepared for a consistent interstate experience rather than a winding backroad adventure. It is a functional, high-paced drive that prioritizes speed and direct access over scenic detours.
86% 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: 94.4 mi on San Diego Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 39.3 miles in near CA 73 / Corona Del Mar Freeway.
Driving Effort9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 125.9 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 39.3 miles (CA 73 / Corona Del Mar Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 53.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.2 miles: 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 30m. Total distance: 125.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 94.4 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.
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 39.3 miles (CA 73 / Corona Del Mar Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 53.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.2 miles: 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.
