One-way car rental
Los Angeles to San Diego by car
Compare one-way and round-trip rental rates from Los Angeles to San Diego, then book with whoever has the best price.
- 194 km
- 120 mi
- typical drive time
- 2h 23m
- main route
- I-5
Rental cars in Los Angeles
Live rates from major suppliers, including one-way options.
Route
Along the way
Stops on the I-5 route, in the order you’ll reach them from Los Angeles.
San Clemente, CA
~100 kmA surf town roughly at the midpoint, where I-5 runs close enough to the coast for ocean views.
Oceanside, CA
~150 kmSan Diego County's northernmost beach city, about 30 minutes before downtown San Diego.
FAQ
Los Angeles to San Diego, answered
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.
Where can I stop between Los Angeles and San Diego?
San Clemente, CA and Oceanside, CA are the main stops along this route.
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 settling on a round-trip rental instead.