Yreka, CA to San Diego, CA is 760.2 miles and takes about 14h 7m via Westside Freeway, Cascade Wonderland Highway, and I 5 Truck, with a fuel budget near $169 and enough daylight to finish in a day if split over two days. This long-haul drive primarily stays within California, traversing the Pacific Coast region from north to south. It's a substantial trip, best approached with a plan for overnight rest. Consider this route if you're looking for a direct, efficient way to cover a lot of ground within the state.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
4 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
380.1 miles from Yreka, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 6h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
424.9 mi
7h 38m
Cascade Wonderland Highway
128.5 mi
2h 24m
I 5 Truck
83.3 mi
1h 36m
San Diego Freeway
76.5 mi
1h 29m
Santa Ana Freeway
35 mi
40m
Golden State Freeway
5.3 mi
6m
Walnut Avenue
2.2 mi
4m
Front Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 424.9 mi, about 7h 38m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 940 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~3,019 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,836
Quietest
2 AM
~376 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 96 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 Yreka, CA and San Diego, CA.
1
Start on I 5 BUS; CA 3; US 99 Hist
0.3 mi·39 sec·North Main Street
2
Turn left onto East Center Street
0.1 mi·11 sec·East Center Street
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·21 sec
4
Merge onto I 5
93 mi·1 hr 45 min·Cascade Wonderland Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
36 mi·38 min·Cascade Wonderland Highway
6
Continue on I 5
93 mi·1 hr 39 min·Westside Freeway
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
16 mi·16 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
79 mi·1 hr 27 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi·48 sec·Westside Freeway
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
237 mi·4 hr 13 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
0.3 mi·17 sec·I 5 Truck
Exit 158Toward I 405 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
25 mi·29 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
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 AnaUse the slight left / straight lanes.
16
Merge onto I 5
26 mi·30 min·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
0.2 mi·16 sec·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.8 mi·57 sec
Toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa AnaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·10 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·12 sec
Toward I 5 South
21
Merge onto I 5
0.8 mi·54 sec·Santa Ana Freeway
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi·52 sec·Santa Ana Freeway
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
1.2 mi·1 min·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 102Toward Newport AvenueUse the slight right lane.
25
Turn right onto Newport Avenue
0.4 mi·44 sec·Newport Avenue
Use the right lane.
26
Turn left onto Walnut Avenue
2.2 mi·4 min·Walnut Avenue
27
Turn left onto Jamboree Road
0.5 mi·37 sec·Jamboree Road
Toward CA 261 Toll North: Jamboree Road, RiversideUse the left lane.
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi·21 sec
Toward I 5 South
29
Merge onto I 5
5.5 mi·6 min·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi·55 sec·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Merge onto I 5
76 mi·1 hr 29 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 17Toward Front Street, Civic Center, 2nd AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward Front Street, Civic Center
34
Continue on Front Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Front Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
35
Arrive at destination
Front Street
Trip Plan
Given the 14-hour drive time, this route is realistically a two-day trip. Aim to leave early on your first day to maximize daylight, covering about half the distance. Plan your overnight stop around the halfway point to break up the 760.2 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch of 424.9 miles on Westside Freeway, and ensure you refuel before hitting less populated areas. The total fuel cost is estimated at $169, so budget accordingly for gas stops.
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 4 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 380.1 miles from Yreka, CA, or about 6h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 424.9 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 167 miles or 3h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 380.1 miles or 6h 57m 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 380.1 miles or 6h 57m
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 12h 56m
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 Yreka, 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 Yreka, CA
Aim for roughly 380 miles and 7.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into San Diego, CA
Aim for roughly 380 miles and 7.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 167 miles from Yreka, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 4 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 424.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 31
5 decision points cluster between mile 616.4 and 759.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
616.4 mi into trip|~11h 15m 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
641.4 mi into trip|~11h 44m 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...
7
668.6 mi into trip|~12h 16m in
Take the exit toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
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.
Toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
8
675.8 mi into trip|~12h 27m in|Jamboree Road
Turn left onto Jamboree Road toward CA 261 Toll North: Jamboree Road, Riverside
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward CA 261 Toll North: Jamboree Road, Rivers...
8
759.3 mi into trip|~14h 5m in
Take the exit toward Front Street, Civic Center, 2nd Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 17
Toward Front Street, Civic Center, 2nd Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$183.91 one way
$367.83 round trip
$6.15/gal25.4 MPG avg266 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.34
$189.72
$379.44
premium
$6.50
$194.42
$388.84
diesel
$6.28
$187.84
$375.67
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$184
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$314–$424
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 266 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $80 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
228.1
2
$79.82
$36.49
Efficient EV
190.1
2
$66.52
$30.41
EV Truck/SUV
304.1
3
$106.43
$48.65
Gas CO2
266 kg
EV CO2
89 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Yreka, CA
Late night
in Yreka on Thursday
Local time
1:54 AM
PDT
Current temp
42°F
Partly Cloudy
WNW 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 19 at 1:23AM PDT until October 20 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 18 at 12:31PM PDT until October 20 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Destination
San Diego, CA
Late night
in San Diego on Thursday
Local time
1:54 AM
PDT
Current temp
66°F
Patchy Fog
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 19 at 1:23AM PDT until October 20 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 18 at 12:31PM PDT until October 20 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard 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
24 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
14h 7m 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
near mile 760.2
Whiskeytown Lake’s crystal-clear waters are iconic, but this 42,000-acre National Recreation Area offers much more. Explore waterfalls, hike rugged trails, uncover Gold Rush history, and witness the r...
18 mi from route
~44 min detour
$15
near mile 104.9
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...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 602.9
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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 550.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend 82% of this 760.2-mile drive on highways, meaning a good portion will be highway cruising. The longest single stretch you'll encounter is 424.9 miles on Westside Freeway. Expect to transition from highway to surface roads as you approach your destination, with the highway portion ending at some point before San Diego. The large percentage of highway driving suggests a generally fast-paced experience with fewer, longer stretches between services.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 424.9 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and Cascade Wonderland Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 616.4 miles in near I 5 Truck.
Driving Effort10/10
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 31 significant decision points across 760.2 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 616.4 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 641.4 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 668.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,591 ft17 ft
Total Climb
1,862 ft
Total Descent
4,414 ft
Highest Point
2,591 ft
Elevation Range
2,573 ft
Notable High Points
1,574 ft at ~602.5 miles+1,293 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Yreka, CA and San Diego, CA, road signs point toward Santa Ana, Broadway and Riverside.
Yreka (pronounced wye-ree-kuh) is a city of 7,500 people (2019) in Siskiyou County in the Shasta Cascades region of California. Yreka is home to the College of the Siskiyous, Klamath National Forest Interpretive Museum and the Siskiyou County Museum.
Top landmarks
•Yreka Carnegie Library — library
•West Miner Street-Third Street Historic District — historic district in Yreka, California
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
•San Diego Zoo — zoo in Balboa Park, San Diego, California, United States
•Balboa Park — historic park in San Diego, California
The longest stretch is about 424.9 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 380 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 70 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at San Diego, CA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 4 meaningful breaks. There are 70 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 616.4 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 641.4 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 668.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Cabrillo National Monument, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area and Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 14.1 hours each way, a round trip means 28.3 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.
