Manhattan to San Diego: Road Trip Guide & Distance

1231.8 miles 1982.4 km · straight line
1498.6 miles actual route 2411.8 km · driving distance
27h 3min estimated drive time
$144 - $178 estimated fuel cost
~2h 59min flight time
255° WSW bearing direction

How far is Manhattan from San Diego?

The distance from Manhattan to San Diego is 1231.8 miles (1982.4 km) as the crow flies. San Diego is located WSW of Manhattan. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1498.6 miles, taking about 27h 3min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 59min. Both are located in United States — Manhattan in Kansas and San Diego in California.

This is a serious multi-day road trip! We strongly recommend breaking this journey up with an overnight stay to ensure you arrive safely and refreshed. Since you'll be heading mostly West, pack a good pair of sunglasses if you plan to drive during the late afternoon to avoid the harsh sun glare. For a trip of this distance, flying is significantly faster. However, driving offers the flexibility to explore stops along the way.

Coordinates come from public place data for Manhattan and San Diego. The driving distance uses an OSRM road-route result when route data is available. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Manhattan to San Diego

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 27h 3min $144 - $178 Flexible stops
Fly ~2h 59min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~32h 28min $120–$225* Budget
Train ~35h 10min $180–$525* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Manhattan & San Diego

Quick Facts

Manhattan
39.18°N, 96.57°W
America/Chicago
311m elevation
San Diego
32.72°N, 117.16°W
America/Los_Angeles
20m elevation
Explore more routes from San Diego

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 411 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 103 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 20.2 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM