Origin
Rialto, CA
Late night in Rialto on Tuesday
Local time
5:02 AM
PDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Rialto, CA to San Diego, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 5m
Distance
105.6 mi
170 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 56m
★
6 AM
2h 5m
8 AM
2h 23m
10 AM
2h 11m
12 PM
2h 10m
3 PM
2h 12m
5 PM
2h 22m
8 PM
2h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rialto, CA
Wikimedia Commons
San Diego, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Rialto to San Diego is 105.6 miles and takes about 2h 5m via I 215 Truck and Escondido Freeway, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within California, beginning in the Pacific Coast region and ending in the same area. With a majority of the trip on highways, it's a straightforward path for a same-day trip. Expect a mostly highway experience that is efficient for getting from point A to point B.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.8 miles from Rialto, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 4m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 215 Truck | 36.7 mi | 41m |
| Avocado Highway | 21.9 mi | 23m |
| Escondido Freeway | 19.2 mi | 22m |
| Cabrillo Freeway | 8.2 mi | 9m |
| North Riverside Avenue | 6.1 mi | 10m |
| Tony Gwynn Memorial Freeway | 4.5 mi | 5m |
| Cabrillo Parkway | 2.3 mi | 2m |
| Semper Fi Highway | 2.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 215 Truck
— 36.7 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rialto, CA and San Diego, CA.
1
Start on North Riverside Avenue
140 ft
·
31 sec
·
North Riverside Avenue
2
Continue on North Riverside Avenue
6.1 mi
·
9 min
·
North Riverside Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on Main Street
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward CA 60 East: Indio
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto CA 60
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Pomona Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 215; CA 60
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Escondido Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 215 Truck; CA 60 Truck
0.5 mi
·
33 sec
·
I 215 Truck; CA 60 Truck
Toward I 215, CA 60 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 215 Truck
36 mi
·
41 min
·
I 215 Truck
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 15
22 mi
·
23 min
·
Avocado Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 15
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Escondido Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 15
8.7 mi
·
10 min
·
Escondido Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
12
Continue on I 15
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Tony Gwynn Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 15
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Escondido Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 15
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Semper Fi Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 12
Toward CA 163 South
Use the slight right lane.
16
Continue on CA 163
8.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Cabrillo Freeway
Toward CA 163
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on CA 163
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Cabrillo Parkway
18
Continue on CA 163
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Cabrillo Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on CA 163
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
10th Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
20
Turn right onto Broadway
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Broadway
21
Turn left onto Front Street
26 ft
·
0 sec
·
Front Street
Use the left lane.
22
Arrive at destination
Front Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 5m estimated drive time, leaving Rialto in the morning or early afternoon should allow you to reach San Diego with ample daylight. The total distance of 105.6 miles is easily manageable in one day, so you don't need to plan for overnight stays. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $24, and it's always wise to top off before heading out. The longest stretch without a major exit is 36.7 miles, so plan any quick stops before or after this segment.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 52.8 miles from Rialto, CA, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.7 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 23 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.8 miles or 1h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 42m
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 Rialto, 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 Rialto, CA
This is one driving day of about 105.6 miles and 2h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Rialto, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 215 Truck for about 36.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
53 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 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 52.8 miles from Rialto, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 7.7 and 93.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
7.7 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the ramp toward CA 60 East: Indio
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward CA 60 East: Indio
8
12.8 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
I 215 Truck; CA 60 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 215 Truck; CA 60 Truck toward I 215, CA 60 Truck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 215, CA 60 Truck
6
13.3 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
I 215 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 215 Truck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
6
74.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m in
|
I 15 / Escondido Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 15 / Escondido Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
7
93.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 50m in
Take the exit toward CA 163 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 12
Toward CA 163 South
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.27 one way
$48.54 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $25.01 | $50.02 |
| premium | $6.18 | $25.68 | $51.36 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.32 | $46.63 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.7 | 0 | $11.09 | $5.07 |
| Efficient EV | 26.4 | 0 | $9.24 | $4.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42.2 | 0 | $14.78 | $6.76 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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.
Destination
San Diego, CA
Late night in San Diego on Tuesday
Local time
5:02 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 5m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 68% of this 105.6-mile drive on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a single highway is 36.7 miles on I 215 Truck. After the highway segments, the route transitions to surface roads for the remainder of the trip. Be prepared for frequent exits and entrances as you navigate through various urban and suburban areas.
68% 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: 36.7 mi on I 215 Truck.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 215 Truck and Avocado Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 105.6 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 7.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 12.8 miles (I 215 Truck; CA 60 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.3 miles (I 215 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Rialto, CA
Full guide →Founded 1911
Rialto is a small city of about 100,000 people outside Los Angeles in San Bernardino County, California.
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 2h 5m. Total distance: 105.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (68%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 36.7 miles on I 215 Truck. 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 12.8 miles (I 215 Truck; CA 60 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.3 miles (I 215 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at San Diego, CA before heading back.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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