Northridge, CA to San Diego, CA is 147.8 miles and takes about 2h 56m via I 405, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route primarily stays on major freeways, connecting two points along California's Pacific Coast. It's a straightforward drive, largely on the San Diego Freeway and the San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor, making it a practical choice for a quick trip. Given the relatively short duration and highway focus, it's well-suited for a single-day excursion.
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
73.9 miles from Northridge, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
San Diego Freeway
114.5 mi
2h 13m
San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
12.8 mi
14m
I 405
10.3 mi
11m
Corona Del Mar Freeway
4 mi
4m
Parthenia Street
3 mi
5m
Roscoe Boulevard
0.6 mi
1m
Woodley Avenue
0.5 mi
<1m
Front Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
San Diego Freeway
— 114.5 mi, about 2h 13m
Traffic on I-405
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 132 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~7,775 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~625 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.4×
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 Northridge, CA and San Diego, CA.
1
Start on Parthenia Street
148 ft·31 sec·Parthenia Street
2
Continue on Parthenia Street
3.0 mi·5 min·Parthenia Street
3
Turn right onto Woodley Avenue
0.5 mi·59 sec·Woodley Avenue
4
Turn left onto Roscoe Boulevard
0.6 mi·1 min·Roscoe Boulevard
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward I 405 South: Santa Monica, San Diego Freeway South
6
Merge onto I 405
18 mi·20 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
27 mi·30 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
2.3 mi·2 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 405
0.2 mi·11 sec·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 405
10 mi·11 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward Front Street, Civic Center
20
Continue on Front Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Front Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
21
Arrive at destination
Front Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 147.8-mile drive, consider leaving Northridge in the morning to avoid the heaviest traffic, aiming to arrive in San Diego before the late afternoon rush. With a driving time of under 3 hours, you might only need one planned stop, perhaps around the halfway point for a quick break. The estimated fuel cost is $34, so ensure your tank is full before departing. Because this route is predominantly highway and can be completed in a single day, you have flexibility to adjust your departure time or stop duration as needed.
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 73.9 miles from Northridge, CA, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 114.5 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 33 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.9 miles or 1h 29m 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 24m
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 Northridge, 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 Northridge, CA
This is one driving day of about 147.8 miles and 2h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Northridge, 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 114.5 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 61.3 and 147.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
61.3 mi into trip|~1h 14m 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
75.6 mi into trip|~1h 30m 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
76.2 mi into trip|~1h 31m 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
147 mi into trip|~2h 54m 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
147.2 mi into trip|~2h 54m 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
$33.50 one way
$67.00 round trip
$5.76/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.96
$34.66
$69.31
premium
$6.09
$35.45
$70.90
diesel
$5.40
$31.44
$62.88
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
EV Charging Along Route
3 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: good
The Grove Northridge - Tesla Supercharger
Northridge, CA
Tesla
24 DCFC
De Soto Square - Tesla Supercharger
Chatsworth, CA
Tesla
8 DCFC
Westfield Topanga (Canoga Park, CA)
Canoga Park, CA
Electrify America
6 DCFC
Tesla: 2
Electrify America: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
44.3
0
$15.52
$7.09
Efficient EV
37
0
$12.93
$5.91
EV Truck/SUV
59.1
0
$20.69
$9.46
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (67% 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 25, 2026
Origin
Northridge, CA
Evening
in Northridge on Saturday
Local time
8:03 PM
PDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
San Diego, CA
Evening
in San Diego on Saturday
Local time
8:03 PM
PDT
Current temp
67°F
Chance Rain Showers
W 10 mph47% 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.
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
13 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 56m 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 147.8
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?
Expect to be on the highway for most of this drive, with 87% of the 147.8 miles utilizing major freeways like I 405. The longest continuous stretch on the San Diego Freeway covers 114.5 miles, indicating long periods of consistent cruising. You'll notice a high density of exits and merges as you pass through the urban and suburban areas of Southern California, especially as you approach San Diego.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 114.5 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 61.3 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 16 significant decision points across 147.8 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 61.3 miles (CA 73 / Corona Del Mar Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 75.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 76.2 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 56m. Total distance: 147.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 114.5 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 61.3 miles (CA 73 / Corona Del Mar Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 75.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 76.2 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.
