Drive time to McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD)

McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD / KCRQ) is a medium-sized airport serving Carlsbad, California. It sits 331 feet above sea level and has 1 runway, the longest 4,897 feet. The largest population centre nearby is Los Angeles, CA — the airport lies about 85 miles south-east of it in a straight line.

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Distance
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by road
Leave now, arrive
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at the terminal
Domestic
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before departure
International
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before departure

From nearby cities

Driving to CLD from cities near Carlsbad

The 10 largest population centres within 90 miles of CLD. Distances below are straight-line; the road route is always longer. Select a city to calculate its real driving time and distance to the airport.

Straight-line distance from each city to McClellan-Palomar Airport
CityStraight line Airport lies
San Diego, CA 29 mi north Get drive time →
Chula Vista, CA 36 mi north Get drive time →
Irvine, CA 49 mi south-east Get drive time →
Santa Ana, CA 54 mi south-east Get drive time →
Riverside, CA 57 mi south Get drive time →
Anaheim, CA 61 mi south-east Get drive time →
San Bernardino, CA 68 mi south Get drive time →
Long Beach, CA 69 mi south-east Get drive time →
Los Angeles, CA 85 mi south-east Get drive time →
Glendale, CA 90 mi south-east Get drive time →
Alternatives

Other airports near CLD

Within 200 miles, straight-line. A slightly farther airport is sometimes the shorter drive — check both before you book.

Reference

CLD at a glance

IATA code
CLD
ICAO code
KCRQ
FAA code
CRQ
Serving
Carlsbad, California
Elevation
331 ft
Runways
1
Longest runway
4,897 ft
Coordinates
33.1283, -117.2800
Classification
Medium-sized airport
Reference
Wikipedia

Airport, runway and elevation figures come from the OurAirports open database. Routes are calculated to the airport's map reference point, which at a large airport may sit a few minutes from your specific terminal.

Timing

When to leave for a flight from CLD

Leave home drive time + 2 hours before a domestic departure from CLD, or drive time + 3 hours before an international one.

Those buffers cover bag drop, security and the walk to the gate, but not getting from your car to the terminal — at a medium-sized airport like CLD, allow another 15–30 minutes to park and ride in, or 30–45 if you are returning a rental car. The drive estimate above is free-flow and does not model live traffic. Full guide to timing your departure →

Same state

Other airports in California

See all 32 airports in California →

FAQ

Questions about driving to CLD

How long does it take to drive to CLD?

It depends on your starting point. Enter your address in the calculator on this page and you'll get a road-distance driving estimate to McClellan-Palomar Airport, plus the option to start from any of the 10 nearby cities listed above.

What is the airport code for Carlsbad?

McClellan-Palomar Airport uses the IATA code CLD and the ICAO code KCRQ. It is classified as a medium-sized airport and sits at 331 feet above sea level.

How far is CLD from Los Angeles?

Los Angeles, CA is about 85 miles from CLD in a straight line. Road distance is longer — use the calculator above with Los Angeles as your starting point for the actual driving time.

Which other airports are near CLD?

Within 200 miles: SAN (28 mi), SNA (51 mi), PSP (66 mi), ONT (67 mi). Distances are straight-line, so compare the actual drive times before choosing — a closer airport is not always a shorter drive.

How early should I leave for a flight from CLD?

Work backwards from your departure time: subtract two hours for a domestic flight (three for international), then subtract your drive time to CLD. The calculator on this page does that arithmetic for you once you enter your starting address, and adds the parking and shuttle time you should allow on top.