What's the Cost of Driving from Carlsbad to San Diego in 2021?

If you're planning on taking a road trip from Carlsbad, California, to San Diego, California, it's important to consider the cost of the trip. Gas prices and toll costs can add up quickly, making this short distance drive more expensive than you might think! Here's a breakdown of the costs you should expect for each route.

Via I-5 South

The first route to consider is via I-5 South. The distance of this route is 38 miles and it should take you around 45 minutes to get from Carlsbad to San Diego. Gas prices are currently averaging around $3.15 per gallon and you should expect to use approximately 2 gallons of gas each way. That means the cost of gas for this route will come out to around $12.60.

On top of that, there are two toll booths along the way, each with a $2 fee, so you'll need to add an additional $4 for tolls. The total cost of driving from Carlsbad to San Diego via I-5 South is approximately $16.60.

Via I-805 South

Another route to consider is via I-805 South. This route is slightly longer than the first route, coming in at 41 miles and should take around 45 minutes to drive. Gas prices are the same as the first route, but you'll use slightly more gas on this route, around 2.5 gallons each way. That means the estimated cost of gas is around $19.70.

Sadly, there are also toll booths on this route, two of them to be exact with the same $2 fee for each toll booth. Bringing the toll cost for this route to $4. The total cost to take this route from Carlsbad to San Diego is approximately $23.70.

Via CA 78 and I-15 South

The last route to consider is via CA 78 and I-15 South. This route is the longest of the three, coming in at 49 miles and should take around 1 hour to drive. Gas prices are, once again, around $3.15 per gallon and you'll need approximately 3 gallons of gas each way. That means the cost of gas will be around $18.90.

This time there are no toll booths, so the total cost for this route comes out to be the cost of gas, which is approximately $18.90.

Conclusion

As you can see, the cost of driving from Carlsbad, California, to San Diego, California varies depending on the route you take. The cheapest route is via I-5 South, while the most expensive route is via I-805 South. No matter which route you take, it's a good idea to factor in the cost of gas and any toll fees when budgeting for your trip. Safe travels!