DriveCosts

Road trip cost

How Much Does It Cost to Drive From San Diego to Las Vegas?

The drive from San Diego, CA to Las Vegas, NV covers about 312 miles and takes around 5 hr — a comfortable day trip. Plan one fuel stop and a meal break and you'll arrive without overspending on gas.

Medium
  • Updated for 2026
  • US avg fuel prices
  • EPA-style MPG
  • EV rates vary by state
  • US units
Distance

312 mi

Driving time

5 hr

Fuel stops

0

EV charges

1

Route overview312 mi

Key takeaway

Plan on about $38 in gas one-way in a 28 MPG sedan, with 0 fuel stops and roughly 5 hr behind the wheel.

Drive intensity

Medium

Doable in a single day.

Estimate your trip cost

Pre-filled with the San Diego → Las Vegas distance.

miles
mpg
$/gal

Estimated Trip Cost

$0.00

Per Person

$0.00

Gallons

0.00gal

Total miles: 312 (one way).

How we estimate this trip

Distance
Great-circle distance between city centers × 1.18 road factor, rounded to whole miles.
Fuel cost formula
(miles ÷ MPG) × price per gallon, computed one-way unless noted.
Gas price assumption
Recent US average retail regular gas (AAA-style baseline).
EV charging assumption
Combined MPGe with average US residential electricity rate.
Tolls & weather
Not included — add manually for I-95, I-90 and mountain routes.
Driving time
Estimated at typical highway average speeds; excludes long breaks.

Sources & assumptions

  • EPA fuel economy data — City / highway / combined MPG and MPGe baselines.
  • U.S. Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov) — Vehicle efficiency and EV range references.
  • AAA gas price trends — Recent national and regional retail fuel averages.
  • EIA electricity rates — Average residential per-kWh prices used for EV charging.

We summarize publicly available data — no scraping, no external API calls. Figures are calibrated periodically; use the calculators above for your exact inputs.

Fuel cost by vehicle type

Estimated one-way fuel cost at $3.45/gal (US average). Adjust for your local price.

Compact car· 35 MPG · 8.9 gal$30.75
Sedan· 28 MPG · 11.1 gal$38.44
SUV· 22 MPG · 14.2 gal$48.93
Pickup truck· 18 MPG · 17.3 gal$59.80

Cost at different gas prices

Assuming a 28 MPG sedan over the 312-mile route.

Gas at $3.15/gal

$35.10

one way · ~11.1 gal

Gas at $3.45/gal

$38.44

one way · ~11.1 gal

Gas at $3.85/gal

$42.90

one way · ~11.1 gal

Fuel & charging stops

No fill-up needed

At ~312 miles, a full tank in a typical sedan (~350-mile range) covers this drive end-to-end. Top up before you leave and you're set.

1 DC fast-charge for most EVs

Assuming a realistic 230-mile highway range, plan 1 DC fast-charging stop. Tesla Superchargers and Electrify America have strong coverage on most US corridors.

Halfway stop suggestion

Midpoint

Palm Springs, CA

Roughly halfway between San Diego and Las Vegas. A natural place to fuel up, grab a meal, swap drivers, or stop overnight on longer drives.

Route personality

Family vacation routeEV-friendly corridorBeach destination

California driving context

  • LA, SF and San Diego metros face dense traffic — rush hours can add 30–90 minutes.
  • Dense Supercharger and Electrify America coverage makes this an EV-friendly corridor.
  • Mountain passes (Grapevine, Tejon, Donner) gain 4,000+ ft of elevation; expect a temporary MPG dip on climbs.

City insights

San Diego, CA

  • San Diego draws year-round visitors — book parking and lodging ahead in peak weeks.
  • Beach access roads near San Diego fill early on weekends; weekday arrivals are easier.

Las Vegas, NV

  • Las Vegas draws year-round visitors — book parking and lodging ahead in peak weeks.
  • Limited shade and long distances between services around Las Vegas — fuel up before leaving.

Best stops along the way

  • Palm Springs, CA sits near the midpoint — natural fuel, food and restroom stop.
  • Pick a sit-down meal stop around the 2.5-hour mark to reset focus and avoid drive-thru fatigue.
  • Scenic pull-offs and coastal overlooks add 15–30 min but break up the monotony on tourism corridors.
  • Tesla Superchargers and Electrify America hubs cluster around major interchanges — easy 20-min top-ups.

Seasonal notes

Summer

Peak beach and theme-park traffic; expect 20–40% longer drive times around weekends.

Summer

Desert highs over 110°F stress engines, tires and EV batteries — drive early or late, never midday.

Late summer / early fall

Western wildfire smoke can drop visibility and force I-5 / I-80 detours — check InciWeb.

Recommendations for this route

  • EV-suitable: a 250+ mile EV makes this drive on 1–2 fast charges.
  • Run tires at the door-jamb PSI and pre-cool the cabin with AC on low — both add 1–3 MPG.

Is it cheaper to fly or drive?

Driving is almost always cheaper here — short flights cost more than fuel once you factor in airport parking, bags and a rental car.

A one-way drive uses about $38 in gas (28 MPG, $3.45/gal). A typical short domestic flight costs $80–$220 per person plus $30–$60/day for airport parking and any baggage fees.

Weather & best time

October through April is most comfortable. Summer driving means extreme heat and higher AC fuel use.

  • • Summer highs over 100°F across the desert — drive early morning or after sunset and carry extra water.

Tolls

Mostly toll-free — you can drive this without a transponder.

Best vehicle

A mid-size sedan or hybrid is the sweet spot — comfortable for the distance with strong MPG.

Driving difficulty

Medium · 5 hr

Moderate — plan at least two 15-minute breaks and swap drivers if possible.

Doable in a single day

Most drivers complete this route in a single day. Leave early to avoid arriving tired in evening traffic.

About the drive from San Diego to Las Vegas

This 312-mile route between San Diego, CA and Las Vegas, NV is a popular drive in the region. Expect roughly 5 hr behind the wheel under normal traffic conditions.

Fuel-saving tips

  • Keep your speed near 65 mph — fuel economy drops sharply above 70.
  • Fill up before mountain or desert stretches; remote stations charge a premium.
  • Use GasBuddy or AAA to spot cheap stations along your route before you leave.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to drive from San Diego to Las Vegas?

The drive is about 312 miles and takes roughly 5 hr under normal traffic. Add buffer for stops, construction, and rush hour around either city.

How much gas does the trip use?

In a 28 MPG sedan, expect about 11.1 gallons one way. A 22 MPG SUV would use roughly 14.2 gallons.

What's the typical fuel cost?

At the US average of $3.45/gal, a 28 MPG vehicle costs about $38.44 one way. Round trip roughly doubles that. Use the calculator above for your exact MPG and local gas price.

How many fuel or charging stops will I need?

A typical gas sedan needs about 0 fuel stops one way. A modern EV with ~230 miles of highway range needs about 1 DC fast-charge.

Is it cheaper to drive or fly from San Diego to Las Vegas?

Driving is almost always cheaper here — short flights cost more than fuel once you factor in airport parking, bags and a rental car.

What's the best time of year to drive this route?

October through April is most comfortable. Summer driving means extreme heat and higher AC fuel use.

Where's a good halfway stop?

Palm Springs, CA is roughly halfway and makes a natural fuel, food, or overnight break.

Best vehicles for this route

Estimated 312-mile fuel cost for each pick at average US prices. Tap any vehicle for a full cost breakdown.

Cheapest to drive

Toyota Prius

57 MPG · hybrid

~$19

est. one-way fuel cost

See full breakdown

Best EV

Lucid Air

134 MPGe · ev

~$12

est. one-way charging cost

See full breakdown

Best sedan

Hyundai Elantra

37 MPG · sedan

~$29

est. one-way fuel cost

See full breakdown

Best SUV for comfort

Nissan Rogue

33 MPG · suv

~$33

est. one-way fuel cost

See full breakdown

Best truck for cargo

Ford Maverick

26 MPG · truck

~$41

est. one-way fuel cost

See full breakdown

Related routes

More routes like San Diego to Las Vegas

Reverse drives, connecting routes and regional alternatives — each with distance and driving cost at current US gas prices.

Reverse drive

Las Vegas to San Diego driving cost

312 mi · 5.0 h

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