The Cost of Driving from Anaheim to Chula Vista: A Guide Based on Current Gas Prices

If you're planning a road trip from Anaheim, California to Chula Vista, California any time soon, one thing you're likely interested in is the total cost. After all, between gas, tolls, and other expenses, road trips can quickly become expensive adventures. Here's a guide to the cost of various driving routes between Anaheim and Chula Vista based on current gas prices.

Option 1: Taking the I-5 South

The most direct and straightforward route between Anaheim and Chula Vista is to take the I-5 South. This is both the shortest and fastest route, with a total distance of about 98 miles.

While this route is the most convenient, it also comes with some expenses. The first expense that you'll encounter is the cost of gas. According to GasBuddy, the average price of gas in Anaheim as of August 2021 is $4.35 per gallon, while the average price in Chula Vista is $4.26 per gallon.

Based on this, you can expect to spend around $18.56 on gas for the entire one-way trip. This assumes your car gets about 28 miles per gallon, which is the average for most new cars.

On top of the gas, you'll also encounter a toll booth on this route. The San Clemente Toll Plaza will run you $3.00 each way if you're driving a regular vehicle. That brings the total cost for this route to $24.56, not including any other incidental costs you might encounter on the road.

Option 2: Taking the I-405 South and I-5 South

Another route that some drivers might consider is taking the I-405 South to the I-5 South. This route takes a slightly longer path, with a total distance of 109 miles.

Because this route is longer, you can expect to pay a bit more in gas as well. According to GasBuddy, if you take this route, you'll need to budget around $21.05 for gas each way.

Luckily, this route doesn't have any tolls, so you won't need to budget for that. That means the total cost for this route will be around $42.10, again not including other costs like food, drinks, or rest stops.

Option 3: Taking the CA-73 South and I-5 South

Finally, you might consider taking the CA-73 South and then hopping onto the I-5 South. This is the longest route, with a total distance of about 118 miles.

Because this is the longest route, you can expect to pay the most in gas of any option on this list. GasBuddy estimates that you'll use around $25.86 in gas one way if you take this route.

There are no tolls on this route, so your total cost will be around $51.72 round trip. This is the most expensive option on this list, but it may be worth it if you're looking for a change of scenery or want to avoid potential traffic on the I-5 South.

Conclusion

All three of these routes have their own benefits and drawbacks, whether it's the shortest but toll-heavy I-5 South, the slightly longer but toll-free I-405 and I-5 path, or the longer but prettier route down the CA-73. The good news is, no matter which path you take, you can now budget accordingly when it comes to fuel and toll expenses. Safe travels!