How to Plan a Road Trip from San Diego to San Francisco

With sandy beaches and cliffside views, California is one of the best places to take a road trip with a group, especially starting from San Diego and arriving in San Fransisco. But how do you plan on tackling this 600-mile road trip? Our team at EZ Rent a Van can help! Serving San Diego with quality van rentals, we’re here to share our best tips on how to plan a road trip from San Diego to San Francisco.

1) Factor in Time

It takes approximately 12 hours to travel from San Diego to San Fransisco, so you need to be aware of how long you want your trip to be. Are you a native to San Diego and want to celebrate a three-day weekend with your closest buddies? Is this your first time ever in California and want to see all there is to see? Deciding if you’re taking a short jaunt versus a week-long vacation will help you determine the costs and itinerary of your trip.

2) Plan Your Pit Stops

With 600 miles to explore, how will you map out your journey? Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), also known as Highway 1, is oftentimes the best way to get from point A to point B while also having scenic pit stops in between. In a few hours of driving your van rental out of San Diego, you can stop by Malibu for a view of the pristine beaches. Continuing on, you’ll find Santa Barbara, known for its local shops, art galleries, theaters, and museums. Right before making your final stop in San Fransisco, you may want to spend some time in Monterey, a coastal town with popular golf courses.

3) Choose Reliable Transportation

We know that road trips are a pain if you’re stuck in a cramped backseat. That’s why we recommend renting a van for your trip out of San Diego. The comfort of a van rental can provide you with the ultimate comfort and space between destinations. If you’re traveling with a large group, 12-passenger van rentals and 15-passenger van rentals are especially useful for limiting the amount of carpooling involved.

At EZ Rent a Van, we serve San Diego County with a variety of van rental options. For your next road trip, get a reliable set of wheels. Reserve online now, or call us at (760) 846-6223 today!