Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Woodacre, CA to San Diego, CA

Pin this trip

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

Drive Time

9h 58m

Distance

520.1 mi

837 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$120

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
9h 49m ★
6 AM
9h 58m
8 AM
10h 16m
10 AM
10h 4m
12 PM
10h 3m
3 PM
10h 5m
5 PM
10h 15m
8 PM
9h 53m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
census-designated place in Marin County, California

Woodacre, CA

Wikimedia Commons

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

San Diego, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Embarking on a journey from Woodacre, California, to San Diego, California, covers 526 miles and is estimated to take about 8 hours and 57 minutes of driving time. This long-distance drive, entirely within California, is best split over two days, given its length. You'll navigate primarily along Railroad Avenue, Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, and Broadway, with no significant highway percentage, suggesting a more local road experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $122, this route offers a substantial, yet manageable, Pacific Coast to Pacific Coast trek. Planning for at least two stops will ensure a more comfortable pace for this extensive drive.

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

260 miles from Woodacre, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 56m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Westside Freeway 224.4 mi 4h
I 5 Truck 83.3 mi 1h 36m
San Diego Freeway 76.5 mi 1h 29m
Santa Ana Freeway 35 mi 40m
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway 29.3 mi 33m
William Elton Brown Freeway 17 mi 18m
MacArthur Freeway 16.4 mi 18m
John T. Knox Freeway 13.6 mi 17m
Longest stretch: Westside Freeway — 224.4 mi, about 4h

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on this road

28 ft · 4 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto Railroad Avenue

0.2 mi · 52 sec · Railroad Avenue
3

At end of road, turn right onto Sir Francis Drake Boulevard

4.0 mi · 8 min · Sir Francis Drake Boulevard
4

Turn right onto Broadway

0.4 mi · 1 min · Broadway
5

Continue on Center Boulevard

1.6 mi · 4 min · Center Boulevard
6

Continue on Red Hill Avenue

0.6 mi · 57 sec · Red Hill Avenue
7

Continue on Fourth Street

0.5 mi · 49 sec · Fourth Street
8

Keep slight left at fork onto Fourth Street

1.1 mi · 2 min · Fourth Street
Use the left lane.
9

Turn right onto Hetherton Street

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Hetherton Street
Use the right lane.
10

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Toward US 101 South: San Francisco, Oakland Use the straight / left lanes.
11

Merge onto US 101

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Redwood Highway
12

Keep slight right at fork onto I 580

14 mi · 17 min · John T. Knox Freeway
Exit 451B Toward I 580: Richmond Bridge, Oakland Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Merge onto I 80; I 580

3.8 mi · 4 min · Eastshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight left at fork onto I 580

0.3 mi · 21 sec · Interstate Highway 80
Toward I 580 East, I 880 South: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton, Alameda, San Jose Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight left at fork onto I 580

16 mi · 18 min · MacArthur Freeway
Toward I 580: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
16

Merge onto I 580

12 mi · 13 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight right at fork onto I 580

18 mi · 20 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight right at fork onto I 580

11 mi · 11 min · William Elton Brown Freeway
19

Keep slight left at fork onto I 580

5.9 mi · 6 min · William Elton Brown Freeway
20

Merge onto I 5

224 mi · 4 hr · Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck

58 mi · 1 hr 6 min · I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

4.1 mi · 4 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck

0.3 mi · 17 sec · I 5 Truck
Exit 158 Toward I 405 South Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck

25 mi · 29 min · I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

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 Ana Use the slight left / straight lanes.
26

Merge onto I 5

26 mi · 30 min · Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

0.2 mi · 16 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 57 sec
Toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 10 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 12 sec
Toward I 5 South
31

Merge onto I 5

0.8 mi · 54 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
32

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

0.8 mi · 52 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
33

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

1.2 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 102 Toward Newport Avenue Use the slight right lane.
35

Turn right onto Newport Avenue

0.4 mi · 44 sec · Newport Avenue
Use the right lane.
36

Turn left onto Walnut Avenue

2.2 mi · 4 min · Walnut Avenue
37

Turn left onto Jamboree Road

0.5 mi · 37 sec · Jamboree Road
Toward CA 261 Toll North: Jamboree Road, Riverside Use the left lane.
38

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 21 sec
Toward I 5 South
39

Merge onto I 5

5.5 mi · 6 min · Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

0.8 mi · 55 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41

Merge onto I 5

76 mi · 1 hr 29 min · San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Exit 17 Toward Front Street, Civic Center, 2nd Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
43

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 14 sec
Toward Front Street, Civic Center
44

Continue on Front Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Front Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
45

Arrive at destination

Front Street

Trip Plan

For this 526-mile drive, which will take nearly 9 hours, breaking it into two days is highly recommended to avoid fatigue. Aim to start early in the morning to maximize daylight and allow ample time for your two planned stops. Since this route has a 0% highway share, be prepared for potentially slower speeds and more frequent local traffic, especially when transitioning between Railroad Avenue, Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, and Broadway. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the $122 estimated cost suggests you'll be covering significant ground, and plan your refueling stops accordingly to ensure a smooth journey down the coast.

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 260 miles from Woodacre, CA, or about 4h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 224.4 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 114 miles or 2h 19m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 260 miles or 4h 56m 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 260 miles or 4h 56m

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 46m

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 Woodacre, 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 Woodacre, CA

Aim for roughly 260 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into San Diego, CA

Aim for roughly 260 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 114 miles from Woodacre, 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 224.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Alameda County, California, United States

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

Dublin, CA

172 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.

city in Los Angeles County, California, USA

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

Santa Clarita, CA

343 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 Santa Clarita, CA

Popular next leg

Santa Clarita, CA to San Diego, CA

152.8 mi · 3h 6m

Overnight Options

Night 1

Bakersfield, CA

260 mi · about 5h in

A practical overnight split lands near Bakersfield, CA after about 260 miles or 5 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Modesto, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 114 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Fresno, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 260 miles from Woodacre, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 224.4 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 260 miles or 5 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.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Ocean's Eleven Casino

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Oceanside, California

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 43min to go 0.2 mi from route

Hours: Open 24 hours

+17604396988

Visit website

Elephant Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lake Forest, California

1 mi

Piacere Mio

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

San Diego, California

2.2 mi

Best coffee break · home stretch

Cloud Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lake Forest, California

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 1h 25m to go 1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

+19495617776

Visit website

Redshift Coffee Roasters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lake Forest, California

1.8 mi

Ocean's Eleven Casino

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route

Oceanside, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+17604396988

Visit website

Elephant Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Lake Forest, California

Hours: 11:30 am–3 pm

+19494723100

Visit website

Piacere Mio

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

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

San Diego, California

Hours: 4–10 pm

+16197942543

Visit website

M Cafe & Grill

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately

Lake Forest, California

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+19493289530

Visit website

Caffè Calabria

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 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 end, short detour

Home stretch 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 end, short detour

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

San Diego, California

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+16192699618

Visit website

Asmara Cafe/restaurant

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

San Diego, California

Hours: 9 am–6 pm

+16192305434

Visit website

Cloud Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Lake Forest, California

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

+19495617776

Visit website

Redshift Coffee Roasters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

Lake Forest, California

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+19363427899

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

San Diego, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route

San Diego, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

San Diego, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

San Diego, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

2.9 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

San Diego, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Santa Clarita, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.3 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

San Diego, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

San Diego, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

The Escape Game San Diego (Gaslamp Quarter)

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 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 end, right off the route

Home stretch 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 end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

San Diego, California

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+16192349153

Visit website

Go City® - San Diego

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

San Diego, California

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

Visit website

We Play Loud Kids Indoor Playground

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Lake Forest, California

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+19493289616

Visit website

Oceanside Coastal Expeditions

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Oceanside, California

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+18336182111

Visit website

Bayview Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Coronado, California

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+16195222654

Visit website

San Diego Surf

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Oceanside, California

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+17603052428

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 39

5 decision points cluster between mile 9.1 and 401.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

9
9.1 mi into trip | ~20m in | I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway toward I 580: Richmond Bridge, Oakland

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 451B Toward I 580: Richmond Bridge, Oakland
8
26.5 mi into trip | ~42m in | I 580 / Interstate Highway 80

Keep slight left at fork onto I 580 / Interstate Highway 80 toward I 580 East, I 880 South: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton, Alameda, San Jose

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 580 East, I 880 South: Downtown Oaklan...
8
26.7 mi into trip | ~42m in | I 580 / MacArthur Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 580 / MacArthur Freeway toward I 580: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton

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

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 580: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockt...
8
376.3 mi into trip | ~7h 5m 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
401.3 mi into trip | ~7h 35m 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...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$119.54 one way

$239.08 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 182 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $123.19 $246.37
premium $6.18 $126.48 $252.97
diesel $5.61 $114.83 $229.66

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$120

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$250–$360

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 182 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $55 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 156 1 $54.61 $24.96
Efficient EV 130 1 $45.51 $20.80
EV Truck/SUV 208 2 $72.81 $33.29

Gas CO2

182 kg

EV CO2

61 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 20, 2026

Origin

Woodacre, CA

Morning in Woodacre on Tuesday

Local time

9:58 AM

PDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

San Diego, CA

Morning in San Diego on Tuesday

Local time

9:58 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.

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

9 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 58m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This route offers a driving experience that is decidedly not a highway grind, boasting a 0% highway share. Expect to spend your time on local roads like Railroad Avenue, Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, and Broadway. The absence of long, uninterrupted highway stretches means you'll likely encounter more varied road conditions and potentially slower speeds as you traverse different towns and landscapes. The longest uninterrupted stretch is not specified, but the overall profile suggests a drive that keeps you engaged with the changing scenery and local environments throughout its 526-mile course.

97% 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: 224.4 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 9.1 miles in near I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway.

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 39 significant decision points across 520.1 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 9.1 miles (I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.5 miles (I 580 / Interstate Highway 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.7 miles (I 580 / MacArthur Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Woodacre, CA and San Diego, CA, road signs point toward Hayward, Stockton, Alameda, San Jose, Santa Ana and Broadway - among others.

Hayward

26.5 mi in | ~42m | via I 580

Stockton

26.5 mi in | ~42m | via I 580

Alameda

26.5 mi in | ~42m | via I 580

San Jose

26.5 mi in | ~42m | via I 580

Santa Ana

401.3 mi in | ~7h 35m | via I 5

Broadway

428.5 mi in | ~8h 7m

Riverside

435.7 mi in | ~8h 17m | via Jamboree Road

About the Cities

Starting in Woodacre, CA

Full guide →

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).

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 224.4 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 260 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 9.1 miles (I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.5 miles (I 580 / Interstate Highway 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.7 miles (I 580 / MacArthur Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Not recommended in a single day. At 10.0 hours each way, a round trip means 19.9 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.

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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From San Diego, CA

Willow Creek, CA 763.6 mi · 14h 16m Clear Lake Riviera, CA 584 mi · 11h 16m Santa Rosa, CA 548.1 mi · 10h 21m Yuba City, CA 544.9 mi · 10h 13m

More from Woodacre, CA

Los Angeles, CA 399 mi · 7h 34m Bakersfield, CA 300.9 mi · 5h 46m

More trips to San Diego, CA

Kamiah, ID 1137 mi McKinleyville, CA 804.2 mi Hydesville, CA 746.9 mi McCloud, CA 731.2 mi Alturas, CA 726.6 mi Mount Shasta, CA 723.1 mi
Escape planner: Woodacre, CA Scenic drives in CA

Explore more options from Woodacre, CA or browse trips ending in San Diego, CA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.