One-Way Car Rental: Los Angeles to San Diego

Compare one-way and round-trip car rental rates from Los Angeles to San Diego, then book directly with whoever has the best price.

120 mi
194 km
2h 23m
typical drive time
I-5
main route

What's along the way from Los Angeles to San Diego

Real stops on the I-5 route, roughly in the order you'll reach them.

San Clemente, CA ~100 km from Los Angeles

A surf town roughly at the midpoint, where I-5 runs close enough to the coast for ocean views.

Oceanside, CA ~150 km from Los Angeles

San Diego County's northernmost beach city, about 30 minutes before downtown San Diego.

Los Angeles to San Diego FAQs

How far is it from Los Angeles to San Diego by car?
It's about 120 miles (194 km) from Los Angeles to San Diego, mostly via I-5, with a drive time of roughly 2h 23m in normal traffic.
Is it cheaper to rent a car one-way from Los Angeles to San Diego?
One-way rentals sometimes carry a drop fee that varies by supplier and season. Search above to compare one-way rates from real suppliers before booking a round-trip rental instead.