Aliso Creek Rest Area (Southbound)
0 mi from route
Trip from San Diego, CA to Rodeo, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
9h 28m
Distance
503.4 mi
810 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$105
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
9h 20m
★
6 AM
9h 28m
8 AM
9h 45m
10 AM
9h 34m
12 PM
9h 32m
3 PM
9h 35m
5 PM
9h 44m
8 PM
9h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
San Diego, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Rodeo, CA
Tony Mucci
Trip Overview
San Diego to Rodeo is 503.4 miles and takes about 9h 28m via Westside Freeway, San Diego Freeway, and Golden State Freeway, with a fuel budget near $120 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This long-haul drive stays within California, traversing the Pacific Coast region from south to north. Given its length, this route is best enjoyed over two days to allow for a more relaxed pace. You'll spend most of your time on major freeways, making it a straightforward but lengthy trip.
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
251.7 miles from San Diego, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 51m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 225.6 mi | 4h 1m |
| San Diego Freeway | 75.2 mi | 1h 27m |
| Golden State Freeway | 50 mi | 57m |
| I 5 Truck | 45.3 mi | 52m |
| Santa Ana Freeway | 30.4 mi | 35m |
| Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway | 19.6 mi | 22m |
| William Elton Brown Freeway | 17 mi | 18m |
| Donald D Doyle Highway | 15.2 mi | 17m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 225.6 mi, about 4h 1m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 460 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~3,763 veh/hr typical · worst 4,643
Quietest
2 AM
~637 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 44 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 San Diego, CA and Rodeo, CA.
1
Start on Front Street
26 ft
·
6 sec
·
Front Street
2
Turn left onto West Broadway
290 ft
·
12 sec
·
West Broadway
3
Turn left onto 1st Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward I 5 North: Los Angeles
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Merge onto I 5
13 mi
·
15 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
36 mi
·
43 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
18 mi
·
20 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
7.4 mi
·
8 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
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.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the slight right lane.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 100
Toward Jamboree Road
Use the slight right lane.
12
Continue on this road
527 ft
·
11 sec
·
this road
13
Turn right onto Jamboree Road
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Jamboree Road
Use the left / right lanes.
14
Turn left onto El Camino Real
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
El Camino Real
Use the left lane.
15
Turn left onto Newport Avenue
357 ft
·
13 sec
·
Newport Avenue
Use the left lane.
16
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
Toward I 5 North: Los Angeles
17
Merge onto I 5
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Santa Ana Freeway
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
9.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
25 mi
·
29 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
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.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
36 mi
·
41 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
22 mi
·
25 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
226 mi
·
4 hr 1 min
·
Westside Freeway
Toward I 5 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
16 mi
·
17 min
·
William Elton Brown Freeway
Toward I 580 West: Tracy, San Francisco
28
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580 Bypass
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
William Elton Brown Freeway
29
Merge onto I 580
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
31
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 44B
Toward I 680 South, I 680 North: San Jose, Sacramento, Concord, Walnut Creek
Use the slight right lane.
32
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 680 North: Walnut Creek, Concord, Sacramento
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Merge onto I 680
15 mi
·
17 min
·
Donald D Doyle Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Continue on I 680
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Toward I 680, CA 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 680
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Toward I 680 North: Martinez, Sacramento
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Take the exit
472 ft
·
11 sec
Exit 53
Toward CA 4 West, CA 4 East: Martinez, Hercules, Pittsburg, Antioch
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Keep slight left at fork
323 ft
·
7 sec
Exit 53
Toward CA 4 West: Martinez, Hercules
Use the slight left lane.
38
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
this road
Exit 53
Toward CA 4 West: Martinez, Hercules
39
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward CA 4 West: Martinez, Hercules
40
Merge onto CA 4
11 mi
·
13 min
·
CA 4
Use the straight lane.
41
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 1C
Toward Willow Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Turn right onto Willow Avenue
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Willow Avenue
Use the right lane.
43
Continue on Parker Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Parker Avenue
44
Turn right onto Fourth Street
37 ft
·
1 sec
·
Fourth Street
45
Arrive at destination
Fourth Street
Trip Plan
With a total duration of 9 hours and 28 minutes, this route is ideally split over two days. Plan to leave San Diego early in the morning to maximize daylight. Consider stopping for the night around the halfway point to break up the 503.4-mile drive. You'll have two designated stops, so use them to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a major town could be over 200 miles.
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 251.7 miles from San Diego, CA, or about 4h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 225.6 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 111 miles or 2h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 251.7 miles or 4h 51m 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 251.7 miles or 4h 51m
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 8h 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rodeo, 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.
+
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 San Diego, CA
Aim for roughly 252 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Rodeo, CA
Aim for roughly 252 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 111 miles from San Diego, 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 225.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
166 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
332 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Mendota, CAOvernight Options
Night 1
252 mi · about 4.7h in
A practical overnight split lands near Los Angeles, CA after about 252 miles or 4.7 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 111 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 251.7 miles from San Diego, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 225.6 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 252 miles or 4.7 hours on the road.
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.
Water
0.1 mi from route
Dos Amigos Vista Point
0.1 mi from route
EZ Trip Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
EZ Trip Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Castaic Truck Stop
0.1 mi from route
Tejon Pass Rest Area - Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Coalinga Avenal Safety Roadside Rest Area - Northbound
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Coalinga - Avenal Rest Area - Southbound
0.2 mi from route
Coalinga - Avenal Rest Area - Northbound
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
John "Chuck" Erreca Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Buttonwillow Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Buttonwillow Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Aliso Creek Rest Area (Northbound)
0.2 mi from route
Westley Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Tejon Pass Rest Area - Northbound
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Lost Hills Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
John "Chuck" Erreca Northbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Westley Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.4 mi from route
Rest Area
0.6 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.8 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.9 mi from route
Rayzilla Viewpoint
1.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.3 mi from route
Rayzilla Rest Area
1.3 mi from route
Rest Area
1.6 mi from route
Rest Area
1.7 mi from route
Rest Area
1.8 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.9 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 415 decision points cluster between mile 144.7 and 490.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
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
8
466.8 mi into trip
|
~8h 43m in
Take the exit toward I 680 South, I 680 North: San Jose, Sacramento, Concord, Walnut Creek
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 44B
Toward I 680 South, I 680 North: San Jose, Sacr...
9
466.9 mi into trip
|
~8h 43m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 680 North: Walnut Creek, Concord, Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 680 North: Walnut Creek, Concord, Sacr...
8
487.4 mi into trip
|
~9h 7m in
|
I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway toward I 680 North: Martinez, Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 680 North: Martinez, Sacramento
10
490.1 mi into trip
|
~9h 10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CA 4 West: Martinez, Hercules
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 53
Toward CA 4 West: Martinez, Hercules
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$105.32 one way
$210.64 round trip
$5.31/gal
25.4 MPG avg
176 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.52 | $109.38 | $218.76 |
| premium | $5.67 | $112.27 | $224.55 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $95.05 | $190.10 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$105
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$235–$345
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 176.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $53 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 151 | 1 | $52.86 | $24.16 |
| Efficient EV | 125.9 | 1 | $44.05 | $20.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 201.4 | 2 | $70.48 | $32.22 |
Gas CO2
176 kg
EV CO2
59 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.
Origin
San Diego, CA
Morning in San Diego on Monday
Local time
6:47 AM
PDT
Current temp
80°F
Sunny
S 10 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 3:22PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 16 at 1:29PM PDT until July 16 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Destination
Rodeo, CA
Morning in Rodeo on Monday
Local time
6:47 AM
PDT
Current temp
79°F
Sunny
SW 12 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 3:22PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 16 at 1:29PM PDT until July 16 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
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
1 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 28m 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.
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
Park Closure: Park Auditorium Closed Until Further Notice
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
National Memorial
On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two s...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 486
View on nps.gov
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of American civilians on the WWII home front. Discover how diverse communities lived, worked, and interacted. Many faces, many stories, many truths...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 503.4
View on nps.gov
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park celebrates America’s maritime heritage on the Pacific Coast. Our 50-acre park has grown around Aquatic Park Cove, a protected area...
18 mi from route
~44 min detour
Free
near mile 503.4
View on nps.gov
Muir Woods National Monument
National Monument
Walk among old growth coast redwoods, cooling their roots in the fresh water of Redwood Creek and lifting their crowns to reach the sun and fog. Federally protected as a National Monument since 1908,...
20 mi from route
~49 min detour
$15
near mile 503.4
View on nps.gov
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Experience a park so rich it supports 19 distinct ecosystems with over 2,000 plant and animal species. Go for a hike, enjoy a vista, have a picnic or learn about the centuries of overlapping history f...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 503.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily on freeways, with 94% of the route utilizing them. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 225.6 miles on the Westside Freeway. Expect significant stretches of high-speed cruising. The remaining 6% of the drive will be on surface roads, likely as you approach your destination in Rodeo.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
45 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 225.6 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and San Diego Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 144.7 miles in near I 5 Truck.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 41 significant decision points across 503.4 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 144.7 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 466.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 466.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,940 ft
14 ft
Total Climb
3,634 ft
Total Descent
3,659 ft
Highest Point
2,940 ft
~179.8 mi in
Elevation Range
2,926 ft
Notable High Points
2,940 ft at ~179.8 miles
+1,747 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between San Diego, CA and Rodeo, CA, road signs point toward San Francisco, Sacramento, Concord and Walnut Creek.
San Francisco
430.2 mi in
|
~8h 2m
|
via I 580
Sacramento
466.8 mi in
|
~8h 43m
Concord
466.8 mi in
|
~8h 43m
Walnut Creek
466.8 mi in
|
~8h 43m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Corner Bakery Cafe
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Starbucks
Cafe
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.8 mi from route
~4 min detour
Commerce, CA
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2.3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Commerce, CA
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
San Clemente, CA
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteCafe 222
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
San Diego, CA
Cuisine: breakfast;sandwich
Visit websiteBruegger's Bagels
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
San Diego
Cuisine: bagel
Jack in the Box
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
San Diego, CA
Cuisine: burger
Visit websiteMcDonald's
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
San Diego, CA
Cuisine: burger
Hours: 05:00-24:00
Visit websiteAlibertos
Fast_food
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.2 mi from route
Cuisine: mexican
The Kitchen at The Mission
Restaurant
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Visit website
Sefton Plaza
Park
Near the start, short detour
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Calafia Beach County Park
Park
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Cutler Field
Park
Near the start, short detour
1.8 mi from route
~4 min detour
Morley Field Sports Complex
Park
Near the start, short detour
2.2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Pritchard Field
Park
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2.5 mi from route
~6 min detour
Sunset Park
Park
Near the start, short detour
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
Dom & Brian's Last Ride Site
Memorial
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
Old Town
District
Near the start, short detour
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
La Vista Inn Motel
Motel
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
San Clemente
C-Vu Motel
Motel
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
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
Arriving in Rodeo, CA
Full guide →Founded 1890
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 225.6 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 252 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 41 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 Rodeo, 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 41 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 144.7 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 466.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 466.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Cabrillo National Monument, Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial and Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.5 hours each way, a round trip means 18.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Rodeo, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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