San Diego to San Luis Obispo: Road Trip Guide & Distance

267.6 miles 430.6 km · straight line
312.3 miles actual route 502.6 km · driving distance
6h 13min estimated drive time
$30 - $37 estimated fuel cost
~1h 2min flight time
312° NW bearing direction

How far is San Diego from San Luis Obispo?

The distance from San Diego to San Luis Obispo is 267.6 miles (430.6 km) as the crow flies. San Luis Obispo is located NW of San Diego. By car, the driving distance is approximately 312.3 miles, taking about 6h 13min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 2min. Both are located in United States.

For a drive of this length, it's recommended to plan at least one quick rest stop to stretch your legs and grab a coffee. 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.

Coordinates come from public place data for San Diego and San Luis Obispo. 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 San Diego to San Luis Obispo

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 6h 13min $30 - $37 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 2min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~7h 28min $25–$47* Budget
Train ~5h 54min $37–$109* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between San Diego & San Luis Obispo

Quick Facts

San Diego
32.72°N, 117.16°W
America/Los_Angeles
20m elevation
San Luis Obispo
35.28°N, 120.66°W
America/Los_Angeles
71m elevation
Explore more routes from San Luis Obispo

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 89 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 22 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 93.1 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM