National City

California

1
Destinations

National City is located in California, approximately 116 miles from Los Angeles. The most popular drive from National City is to San Diego. Browse route details including drive time, distance, and gas costs below.

Driving Times from National City

1 destinations

Short Drives — 1

San Diego
8 miles
17 min

Nearby Cities

Normal Heights (6 mi)Hillcrest (6 mi)University Heights (6 mi)Imperial Beach (7 mi)Mission Valley (7 mi)La Mesa (8 mi)

Routes to National City

San Diego → National City

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is National City from San Diego?
National City is approximately 8 miles from San Diego, taking around 17 min.
What cities are within 3 hours of National City?
There are 2 cities within 3 hours, including San Diego, National City.
How many routes from National City?
National City has 1 routes in our database.

How Far Is National City from Major Cities?

Approximate road distances and non-stop drive times from National City to nearby major cities. The closest major hub is Los Angeles, roughly 140 miles away by road.

Los Angeles~140 mi · 2h 30m
Las Vegas~320 mi · 5h 30m
Phoenix~355 mi · 6h
Fresno~385 mi · 6h 45m
Tucson~430 mi · 7h 30m

Estimates assume typical highway speeds without extended stops; actual times vary with traffic and weather.

Nearest Major Airports to National City

If part of the trip is by air, these are the closest major airports to National City by road:

San Diego (SAN)~10 mi · 15 min
Los Angeles (LAX)~140 mi · 2h 30m

Airport drive times are door-to-terminal estimates — add time for parking and security.

Driving from National City: What to Know

Located in California in the West Coast, National City is well positioned for road trips both short and long. For longer drives, plan a rest stop roughly every two hours, keep your tank above a quarter full, and aim to leave outside the morning and evening rush windows to save time. The main corridor for trips listed on this page is I-10, so check for construction or closures on that route before setting out.

All drive times on this page assume normal conditions. Gas cost estimates use a 30 MPG vehicle at current average fuel prices — a hybrid or EV can cut that cost roughly in half, and you can compare electric options on our EV trip pages.

Road Trips from National City

Looking to hit the road from National City? Browse 3 driving routes with detailed travel data including estimated drive times, mileage, and gas costs. From short trips under an hour to epic multi-day drives, National City connects to destinations across the country. Click any route card for a full breakdown of the journey, including suggested stops, traffic estimates, toll information, and the recommended time of day to depart for the smoothest drive.