AirOrSeaTravel is an independent guide. Bookings on this page are completed on the provider’s own website. How we are funded.

AirOrSeaTravel — find your way there
TijuanaCosta Mesa

Driving from Tijuana to Costa Mesa

Costa Mesa lies 153 km (95 mi) north-west of Tijuana, in the same time zone. What the numbers say about getting there.

Driving takes about 2 h 20 min without stops, over roughly 186 km (116 mi) of road; add breaks, fuel and any border.

TijuanaCosta Mesa

Open Costa Mesa in Google Maps

The two ends, side by side
TijuanaCosta Mesa
CountryMexicoUnited States
Population1.9 million113,204
Elevation97 m (318 ft)33 m (108 ft)
Time nowUTC-7 (America/Tijuana)UTC-7 (America/Los_Angeles)
Postal codes2270392626–92628

What changes when you arrive in Costa Mesa

Crossing from Mexico into United States: money changes from the Peso to the Dollar (USD); the dialling code becomes +1; the emergency number is http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q533806.

Where to book car hire from Tijuana to Costa Mesa

ExpediaCar hire from the major suppliers, and the one to look at if the flight or hotel is already booked there. Part of Expedia Group.Check car hire on Expedia (opens www.expedia.com in a new tab)
DiscoverCarsCompares local and international suppliers. Read the counter reviews before you pick.Check rental cars on DiscoverCars (opens www.discovercars.com in a new tab)
Rentalcars.comBooking.com's car arm, with wide airport coverage worldwide.Compare suppliers on Rentalcars.com (opens www.rentalcars.com in a new tab)
Every link above leaves this site.

We take no bookings for these providers and hold no reservation with them. The provider you choose handles payment, confirmation, changes and refunds. How that works.

Staying in Costa Mesa

Live rooms and prices for Costa Mesa are in the search below.

Book a hotel in Costa Mesa

Live rooms and prices from our booking partner, booked and paid for here. Free cancellation is marked where it applies.

Common questions

How far is Costa Mesa from Tijuana?

153 km (95 mi) in a straight line, north-west of Tijuana; by road roughly 186 km (116 mi).

How long does it take to get from Tijuana to Costa Mesa by car?

About 2 h 20 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.

Is there a time difference between Tijuana and Costa Mesa?

No, both are on the same offset at the moment.

What currency do I need in Costa Mesa?

The Dollar (USD).

Where these facts come from

  • GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, elevation, time zone, postal codes
  • Wikidata (CC0): area, sister cities, visitor numbers, heritage listings, stations and ports
  • OurAirports (public domain): airports, runways
  • Natural Earth (public domain): map outlines

Data compiled 13 September 2026. Hotel figures are from our booking partner’s catalogue on that date. Journey times on this page are estimates from distance, not timetables; check the operator before you rely on one.