USA › Road trip gas calculator › Los Angeles to San Diego
Los Angeles to San Diego: gas cost
About 120 miles one way. Fuel cost at this week’s average regular price in Los Angeles: $6.082 per gallon (EIA, week of Oct 12, 2026).
Fuel cost by vehicle
| Vehicle | MPG | Gallons | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compact car | 35 | 3.4 | $20.85 | $41.71 |
| Midsize sedan | 30 | 4.0 | $24.33 | $48.66 |
| SUV / crossover | 24 | 5.0 | $30.41 | $60.82 |
| Pickup truck | 18 | 6.7 | $40.55 | $81.09 |
💡 Both cities follow California prices; warehouse clubs are often the cheapest.
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Popular road trips
| Route | Miles | Gas cost, 30 MPG |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles → Las Vegas | 270 | $54.74 |
| San Francisco → Los Angeles | 382 | $77.72 |
| New York City → Washington, D.C. | 225 | $32.36 |
| Boston → New York City | 215 | $30.85 |
| Chicago → Detroit | 283 | $44.29 |
| Dallas → Houston | 239 | $30.11 |
| Houston → Austin | 165 | $20.69 |
| Miami → Orlando | 235 | $31.89 |
| Seattle → Portland | 174 | $32.51 |
| Denver → Salt Lake City | 520 | $71.99 |
| New York City → Boston | 215 | $30.92 |
| Chicago → St. Louis | 297 | $46.48 |
| Atlanta → Orlando | 440 | $57.63 |
| Phoenix → Los Angeles | 372 | $62.88 |
| Cleveland → Columbus | 143 | $18.36 |
| New York City → Miami | 1,280 | $175.70 |
| Los Angeles → New York City | 2,790 | $402.78 |
| Chicago → New York City | 790 | $109.15 |
| San Francisco → Seattle | 808 | $151.88 |
FAQ
How much does it cost to drive from Los Angeles to San Diego?
At about 120 miles and this week’s average of $6.082 per gallon (Los Angeles), a car averaging 30 MPG uses about 4.0 gallons – roughly $24.33 one way or $48.66 round trip.
How many gallons of gas from Los Angeles to San Diego?
About 3.4 gallons for a 35 MPG car, 5.0 for a 24 MPG SUV and 6.7 for an 18 MPG pickup.
Gas prices by state this week → · Gas price history → · More calculators →
Distances are approximate driving distances. Gas prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration weekly averages for regular gasoline; actual prices along the route vary.