Trip from San Diego, CA to Auberry, CA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 6m

Distance

361.1 mi

581 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$83

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min

4 AM

6h 56m ★

6 AM

7h 7m

8 AM

7h 29m

10 AM

7h 14m

12 PM

7h 12m

3 PM

7h 16m

5 PM

7h 28m

8 PM

7h 0m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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seat of San Diego County, California, United States; second-largest city in California

San Diego, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Auberry, CA

Stephen Leonardi

Trip Overview

This 361.1-mile drive from San Diego, California, to Auberry, California, is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 7 hours and 6 minutes to complete. You'll spend about 65% of your journey on highways, primarily utilizing the Golden State Freeway, Golden State Highway, and San Diego Freeway. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $83. With two planned stops, it offers a practical, highway-focused experience across California's Pacific Coast region. This route is designed for efficiency, allowing you to cover significant ground in a single day.

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

180.6 miles from San Diego, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 33m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Golden State Freeway	83.3 mi	1h 34m
Golden State Highway	78.7 mi	1h 24m
San Diego Freeway	75.2 mi	1h 27m
I 5 Truck	45.3 mi	52m
Santa Ana Freeway	30.4 mi	35m
South Academy Avenue	22.6 mi	32m
Tollhouse Road	7.1 mi	9m
Morgan Canyon Road	5.3 mi	7m

Longest stretch: Golden State Freeway — 83.3 mi, about 1h 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between San Diego, CA and Auberry, CA.

Start on Front Street

26 ft · 6 sec · Front Street

Turn left onto West Broadway

290 ft · 12 sec · West Broadway

Turn left onto 1st Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · 1st Avenue

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 24 sec

Toward I 5 North: Los Angeles Use the left / straight lanes.

Merge onto I 5

13 mi · 15 min · San Diego Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

36 mi · 43 min · San Diego Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

18 mi · 20 min · San Diego Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

7.4 mi · 8 min · San Diego Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck

1.6 mi · 1 min · I 5 Truck

Toward Bake Parkway Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck

6.0 mi · 6 min · I 5 Truck

Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 16 sec

Exit 100 Toward Jamboree Road Use the slight right lane.

Continue on this road

527 ft · 11 sec · this road

Turn right onto Jamboree Road

0.1 mi · 18 sec · Jamboree Road

Use the left / right lanes.

Turn left onto El Camino Real

2.2 mi · 4 min · El Camino Real

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto Newport Avenue

357 ft · 13 sec · Newport Avenue

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 16 sec

Toward I 5 North: Los Angeles

Merge onto I 5

1.3 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

1.7 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

9.4 mi · 10 min · Santa Ana Freeway

Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

18 mi · 20 min · Santa Ana Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

25 mi · 29 min · Golden State Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

2.2 mi · 2 min · Golden State Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck

1.5 mi · 1 min · I 5 Truck

Exit 161A Toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck

36 mi · 41 min · I 5 Truck

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

22 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99

27 mi · 30 min · Golden State Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99

6.0 mi · 6 min · Golden State Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on CA 99

79 mi · 1 hr 24 min · Golden State Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 45 sec

Exit 111 Toward Road 12, 18th Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto Road 12

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Road 12

Continue on 18th Avenue

1.5 mi · 2 min · 18th Avenue

Continue on South Mendocino Avenue

1.1 mi · 1 min · South Mendocino Avenue

Turn left onto J40

0.5 mi · 45 sec · East Mountain View Avenue

Turn right onto South Academy Avenue

23 mi · 32 min · South Academy Avenue

At end of road, turn right onto CA 168

7.1 mi · 9 min · Tollhouse Road

Continue on CA 168

1.9 mi · 2 min · Millerton Road

Continue on CA 168

5.3 mi · 7 min · Morgan Canyon Road

Enter roundabout onto CA 168

121 ft · 2 sec · Auberry Road

Continue on CA 168

1.1 mi · 1 min · Auberry Road

Continue on Auberry Road

2.9 mi · 5 min · Auberry Road

Keep slight right at fork onto Auberry Road

361 ft · 10 sec · Auberry Road

Arrive at destination

Auberry Road

Trip Plan

Given the 7-hour duration, starting your 361.1-mile trip from San Diego early in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight. Plan for two stops to break up the drive and account for the $83 fuel cost by ensuring you have enough to reach your destination comfortably. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 83.3 miles on the Golden State Freeway, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge before embarking on that segment. This highway-focused route means rest areas will be readily available, but it’s always wise to be prepared for any minor delays.

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 180.6 miles from San Diego, CA, or about 3h 33m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.3 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 79 miles or 1h 33m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 180.6 miles or 3h 33m 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 44m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Auberry, CA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving San Diego, 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 San Diego, CA

This is one driving day of about 361.1 miles and 7h 6m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from San Diego, 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 Golden State Freeway for about 83.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Los Angeles County, California, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Santa Clarita, CA

181 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

Irvine, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 79 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Santa Clarita, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 180.6 miles from San Diego, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Golden State Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 83.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · first break window

Encinitas Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Encinitas, California

Near the start, right off the route

First break · 31min in 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+17606320919

Visit website

M Cafe & Grill

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Lake Forest, California

1.3 mi

Versailles Cafe & Pastries

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Encinitas, California

1.6 mi

Best coffee break · early in the drive

Redshift Coffee Roasters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lake Forest, California

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch · 1h 32m in 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+19363427899

Visit website

Hygge Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

La Mirada, California

2.3 mi

Cloud Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lake Forest, California

2.4 mi

Encinitas Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Encinitas, California

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+17606320919

Visit website

M Cafe & Grill

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately

Lake Forest, California

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+19493289530

Visit website

Versailles Cafe & Pastries

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30

Encinitas, California

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+17602746762

Visit website

Piacere Mio

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30

San Diego, California

Hours: 4–10 pm

+16197942543

Visit website

Elephant Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Lake Forest, California

Hours: 11:30 am–3 pm

+19494723100

Visit website

Caffè Calabria

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

San Diego, California

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+16196837787

Visit website

Cafe Coyote

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30

San Diego, California

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16192914695

Visit website

Meraki Café

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

San Diego, California

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+16192699618

Visit website

Redshift Coffee Roasters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Lake Forest, California

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+19363427899

Visit website

Hygge Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

La Mirada, California

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+17147358533

Cloud Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Lake Forest, California

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

+19495617776

Visit website

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

San Diego, California

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+16198532834

Visit website

So Diego Food Tours

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

San Diego, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+16192338687

Visit website

Maritime Museum of San Diego

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

San Diego, California

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+16192349153

Visit website

Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Valencia, California

+16612554100

Visit website

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

San Diego, California

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 31

5 decision points cluster between mile 76.1 and 316.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

76.1 mi into trip | ~1h 29m in | I 5 Truck

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward Bake Parkway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Bake Parkway

83.7 mi into trip | ~1h 38m in

Take the exit toward Jamboree Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 100 Toward Jamboree Road

84 mi into trip | ~1h 39m in | Jamboree Road

Turn right onto Jamboree Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / right lanes.

144.7 mi into trip | ~2h 52m in | I 5 Truck

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 161A Toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck

316.7 mi into trip | ~6h 1m in

Take the exit toward Road 12, 18th 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 111 Toward Road 12, 18th Avenue

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$83.00 one way

$165.99 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 126 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$6.02	$85.53	$171.05
premium	$6.18	$87.82	$175.63
diesel	$5.61	$79.73	$159.45

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$83

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$108–$133

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 126.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	108.3	1	$37.92	$17.33
Efficient EV	90.3	1	$31.60	$14.44
EV Truck/SUV	144.4	1	$50.55	$23.11

Gas CO2

126 kg

EV CO2

42 kg (67% 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 19, 2026

Origin

San Diego, CA

Late night in San Diego on Tuesday

Local time

5:04 AM

PDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Auberry, CA

Late night in Auberry on Tuesday

Local time

5:04 AM

PDT

Current temp

67°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

9 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

7h 6m 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

View on nps.gov

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 149.4

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...

25 mi from route ~63 min detour Free near mile 211.7

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 361.1-mile journey. With 65% of the route on major freeways, you'll find yourself on long stretches, including an uninterrupted 83.3 miles on the Golden State Freeway. The primary roads guiding you are the Golden State Freeway, Golden State Highway, and San Diego Freeway, suggesting a consistent, high-speed travel experience. This route prioritizes covering distance efficiently, rather than winding through scenic byways, making it a straightforward trip.

65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

42 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 83.3 mi on Golden State Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Golden State Freeway and Golden State Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 76.1 miles in near I 5 Truck.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 31 significant decision points across 361.1 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 76.1 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 84 miles (Jamboree Road): Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from San Diego, CA to Auberry, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Road 12 along the way.

Road 12

316.7 mi in | ~6h 1m

About the Cities

Starting 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 6m. Total distance: 361.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 6m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 83.3 miles on Golden State Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 24 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 Auberry, 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 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

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 14.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Auberry, 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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