Modesto to San Diego: Road Trip Guide & Distance

403.2 miles 648.9 km · straight line
432.8 miles actual route 696.6 km · driving distance
8h 16min estimated drive time
$42 - $51 estimated fuel cost
~1h 19min flight time
146° SSE bearing direction

How far is Modesto from San Diego?

The distance from Modesto to San Diego is 403.2 miles (648.9 km) as the crow flies. San Diego is located SSE of Modesto. By car, the driving distance is approximately 432.8 miles, taking about 8h 16min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 19min. Both are located in United States.

This is a solid day of driving. Be sure to take breaks every 2-3 hours to avoid driver fatigue, and plan your meals ahead of time. Heading East means you'll be driving into the sunrise if you start early. Keep your windshield clean for the best visibility.

Coordinates come from public place data for Modesto 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 Modesto to San Diego

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 8h 16min $42 - $51 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 19min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~9h 55min $35–$65* Budget
Train ~7h 51min $52–$151* Comfort

Flying saves significant time. Driving is better if you want flexibility and stops.

* Estimated range. Actual prices vary by date and provider.

Suggested Stops Between Modesto & San Diego

Quick Facts

Modesto
37.64°N, 121.00°W
America/Los_Angeles
28m elevation
San Diego
32.72°N, 117.16°W
America/Los_Angeles
20m elevation

From Modesto

From San Diego

Explore more routes from San Diego

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 134 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 34 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 61.8 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM