Best Time to Drive from Irvine to San Diego

Right now (9:01 am PDT): about 80 minutes via I-5 South, usually 89 at this time.

On weekdays the 84-mile drive from Irvine to San Diego (via I-5 South) usually takes as little as 77 minutes and up to 117 minutes, when leaving around 3 pm on Fridays. The fastest times to leave are before 7 am or after 6 pm. Midday (11 am to 2 pm) it takes about 87 minutes. On weekends it is slowest around 12 pm on Saturdays (105 minutes).

Typical drive time by departure time

Minutes from Irvine to San Diego by day and time you leave (local time)
Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	77	80	85	82	82	82	82	82	82	84	86	85	82	79	79	79	77
Tue	78	81	89	88	83	83	82	83	83	89	96	99	90	80	79	79	78
Wed	78	81	89	89	83	83	82	82	82	89	94	95	87	80	79	79	78
Thu	77	80	89	88	83	83	83	83	83	92	101	103	91	81	79	79	77
Fri	77	80	82	81	82	85	90	96	106	112	117	111	101	87	81	80	78
Sat	78	78	79	80	89	97	103	105	103	102	101	96	88	83	81	80	77
Sun	77	77	77	78	80	84	90	90	89	88	86	85	82	80	81	81	77

Simulated from typical freeway speeds at each point of the drive for the time you would reach it, from every 5-minute reading we have recorded. Surface streets at each end are estimated.

Questions

What is the best time to drive from Irvine to San Diego?

On weekdays, leave before 7 am or after 6 pm. The drive usually takes about 77 minutes then, versus up to 117 minutes at the worst times.

How long does it take to drive from Irvine to San Diego?

The 84-mile drive usually takes 77 to 117 minutes on weekdays, depending on when you leave, and about 87 minutes midday.

When is traffic worst from Irvine to San Diego?

Leaving around 3 pm on Fridays is usually slowest, about 117 minutes.

Estimate this drive for any day and departure time →

More drives

San Diego to Irvine (return trip) · Irvine to Los Angeles · Irvine to Santa Monica · Irvine to Pasadena · Irvine to Long Beach · Irvine to West Covina · Irvine to Burbank · Irvine to Glendale · Irvine to Santa Clarita · Irvine to Van Nuys · Irvine to Torrance · Irvine to LAX

Open the live traffic map →

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	77	80	85	82	82	82	82	82	82	84	86	85	82	79	79	79	77
Tue	78	81	89	88	83	83	82	83	83	89	96	99	90	80	79	79	78
Wed	78	81	89	89	83	83	82	82	82	89	94	95	87	80	79	79	78
Thu	77	80	89	88	83	83	83	83	83	92	101	103	91	81	79	79	77
Fri	77	80	82	81	82	85	90	96	106	112	117	111	101	87	81	80	78
Sat	78	78	79	80	89	97	103	105	103	102	101	96	88	83	81	80	77
Sun	77	77	77	78	80	84	90	90	89	88	86	85	82	80	81	81	77

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	77	80	85	82	82	82	82	82	82	84	86	85	82	79	79	79	77
Tue	78	81	89	88	83	83	82	83	83	89	96	99	90	80	79	79	78
Wed	78	81	89	89	83	83	82	82	82	89	94	95	87	80	79	79	78
Thu	77	80	89	88	83	83	83	83	83	92	101	103	91	81	79	79	77
Fri	77	80	82	81	82	85	90	96	106	112	117	111	101	87	81	80	78
Sat	78	78	79	80	89	97	103	105	103	102	101	96	88	83	81	80	77
Sun	77	77	77	78	80	84	90	90	89	88	86	85	82	80	81	81	77

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	77	80	85	82	82	82	82	82	82	84	86	85	82	79	79	79	77
Tue	78	81	89	88	83	83	82	83	83	89	96	99	90	80	79	79	78
Wed	78	81	89	89	83	83	82	82	82	89	94	95	87	80	79	79	78
Thu	77	80	89	88	83	83	83	83	83	92	101	103	91	81	79	79	77
Fri	77	80	82	81	82	85	90	96	106	112	117	111	101	87	81	80	78
Sat	78	78	79	80	89	97	103	105	103	102	101	96	88	83	81	80	77
Sun	77	77	77	78	80	84	90	90	89	88	86	85	82	80	81	81	77