Traveling from Newark to San Diego covers 483.8 miles and typically takes about 7 hours and 34 minutes of time behind the wheel. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, you should budget roughly $66 for fuel to complete the journey. While it is technically possible to complete this trip in a single day, the duration makes it a long haul that requires stamina. You will be staying within the Pacific Coast region for the duration of the trip, navigating from the Newark area down toward Southern California. Since this route does not rely on highway travel, it provides a different experience than a standard interstate sprint. Weigh your comfort level against the travel time before deciding if you want to tackle this in one push or break it up.
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
238.9 miles from Newark, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
181.1 mi
3h 14m
I 5 Truck
83.3 mi
1h 36m
San Diego Freeway
76.5 mi
1h 29m
Pacheco Pass Highway
40.6 mi
50m
Santa Ana Freeway
35 mi
40m
Bayshore Freeway
32.3 mi
37m
Nimitz Freeway
14.7 mi
16m
Golden State Freeway
5.3 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 181.1 mi, about 3h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Newark, CA and San Diego, CA.
1
Start on this road
120 ft·11 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto Thornton Avenue
1.4 mi·2 min·Thornton Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward I 880 South: San JoseUse the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Merge onto I 880
15 mi·16 min·Nimitz Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.1 mi·34 sec
Toward US 101 South: Los AngelesUse the straight / right lanes.
6
Merge onto US 101
32 mi·37 min·Bayshore Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Take the exit onto CA 152
0.3 mi·39 sec·CA 152
Toward CA 152 East: 10th Street, Pacheco Pass Road
8
Turn left onto CA 152
353 ft·12 sec·East 10th Street
9
Continue on CA 152
41 mi·50 min·Pacheco Pass Highway
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 5: Los Angeles
11
Merge onto I 5
181 mi·3 hr 14 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
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.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
25 mi·29 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
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.
17
Merge onto I 5
26 mi·30 min·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
0.2 mi·16 sec·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.8 mi·57 sec
Toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa AnaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·10 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·12 sec
Toward I 5 South
22
Merge onto I 5
0.8 mi·54 sec·Santa Ana Freeway
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi·52 sec·Santa Ana Freeway
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
1.2 mi·1 min·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 102Toward Newport AvenueUse the slight right lane.
26
Turn right onto Newport Avenue
0.4 mi·44 sec·Newport Avenue
Use the right lane.
27
Turn left onto Walnut Avenue
2.2 mi·4 min·Walnut Avenue
28
Turn left onto Jamboree Road
0.5 mi·37 sec·Jamboree Road
Toward CA 261 Toll North: Jamboree Road, RiversideUse the left lane.
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi·21 sec
Toward I 5 South
30
Merge onto I 5
5.5 mi·6 min·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi·55 sec·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Merge onto I 5
76 mi·1 hr 29 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 17Toward Front Street, Civic Center, 2nd AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward Front Street, Civic Center
35
Continue on Front Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Front Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
36
Arrive at destination
Front Street
Trip Plan
Planning your departure is essential to manage the 7-hour and 34-minute drive time effectively. Since you have two stops built into the itinerary, use them strategically to break up the technical, turn-heavy sections of the road. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $66 estimated cost can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and the frequency of stop-and-go driving. Because there is no highway-heavy stretch to help you make up time, avoid leaving during peak local traffic hours to prevent the trip from dragging on longer than necessary. A concrete tip for this specific drive is to prioritize your comfort during those two designated stops, as the constant turning can be more fatiguing than steady highway travel.
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 238.9 miles from Newark, CA, or about 4h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 181.1 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 105 miles or 2h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 238.9 miles or 4h 29m 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 238.9 miles or 4h 29m
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 7h 56m
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 Newark, 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 Newark, CA
Aim for roughly 239 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into San Diego, CA
Aim for roughly 239 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 105 miles from Newark, 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 181.1 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 32
5 decision points cluster between mile 16.5 and 477 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
16.5 mi into trip|~20m in
Take the exit toward US 101 South: Los Angeles
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward US 101 South: Los Angeles
8
334.1 mi into trip|~6h 16m 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
359.1 mi into trip|~6h 45m 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
393.5 mi into trip|~7h 28m 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
477 mi into trip|~9h 6m 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
$109.84 one way
$219.68 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg167 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$113.19
$226.38
premium
$6.18
$116.22
$232.44
diesel
$5.61
$105.51
$211.03
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$110
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$240–$350
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 167.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $50 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
143.4
1
$50.18
$22.94
Efficient EV
119.5
1
$41.82
$19.12
EV Truck/SUV
191.2
2
$66.91
$30.59
Gas CO2
167 kg
EV CO2
56 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Newark, CA
Afternoon
in Newark on Sunday
Local time
3:48 PM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
San Diego, CA
Afternoon
in San Diego on Sunday
Local time
3:48 PM
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.
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
10 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
9h 8m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a very hands-on driving experience, as this route is defined by its turn-heavy local profile rather than high-speed interstate cruising. You will navigate using Thornton Avenue, I-880 South, and the Nimitz Freeway, but the lack of significant highway share means you will be dealing with frequent turns and local traffic patterns. There is no long-distance "cruise control" stretch here, as the longest uninterrupted segment is 0 miles on Thornton Avenue. This makes the drive feel much more active and engaging than a typical freeway trek. Be prepared for a persistent, winding pace that demands your full attention from start to finish.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 181.1 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 16.5 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 32 significant decision points across 477.9 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 16.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 334.1 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 359.1 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
2,780 ft19 ft
Total Climb
3,370 ft
Total Descent
3,350 ft
Highest Point
2,780 ft
~307.2 mi in
Elevation Range
2,761 ft
Notable High Points
2,780 ft at ~307.2 miles+1,774 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Newark, CA and San Diego, CA, road signs point toward Santa Ana, Broadway and Riverside.
Newark is a small community in the East Bay portion of the San Francisco Bay Area region of California. It is an enclave of the larger city of Fremont.
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 181.1 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 239 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 16.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 334.1 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 359.1 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.1 hours each way, a round trip means 18.3 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.
