Estimate your ride cost based on current San Diego pricing models.
UberX (Standard Sedan)
UberXL (SUV/Van for Groups)
Uber Comfort (Newer Cars with Legroom)
Uber Black (Luxury Livery)
Uber Black SUV (Luxury SUV)
1.0x
Use 1.0 for normal demand. Higher during rush hour or events at Petco Park.
Estimated Total
$0.00
Base Fare:$0.00
Distance Cost:$0.00
Time Cost:$0.00
Booking Fee:$0.00
Surge Impact:1.0x (Normal)
*Estimates do not include potential tips or tolls (e.g., Coronado Bridge).
Understanding Uber Rates in San Diego
Whether you are heading to the San Diego International Airport (SAN), catching a Padres game at Petco Park, or enjoying the nightlife in the Gaslamp Quarter, understanding how Uber calculates your fare can help you budget your trip effectively. This calculator uses local San Diego pricing variables to estimate your ride cost.
How San Diego Uber Fares Are Calculated
The cost of an Uber ride in San Diego is not a flat fee (unless you use Uber Flat Rate, which is rare). It is calculated based on four main components:
Base Fare: A flat fee charged as soon as you enter the vehicle.
Cost Per Minute: A charge for the total duration of the ride.
Cost Per Mile: A charge based on the distance covered.
Booking Fee: A mandatory fee added to every ride to cover administrative and safety costs.
Current Estimated Rate Card (San Diego)
While rates fluctuate slightly based on Uber's internal adjustments, the following base metrics are used for estimations in the San Diego market:
Service
Base Fare
Per Mile
Per Min
Min Fare
UberX
$1.36
$1.02
$0.24
$7.65
UberXL
$2.55
$1.74
$0.40
$10.70
Uber Black
$8.00
$3.55
$0.45
$15.00
The "Surge" Factor
In San Diego, surge pricing is common during high-demand periods. This usually happens when bars close in Pacific Beach, after events at the Convention Center, or during morning rush hour on the I-5. The calculator above allows you to input a "Surge Multiplier." If the app shows a 2.0x surge, your base fare, time, and distance costs are doubled.
Minimum Fares
Short rides, such as moving a few blocks within Downtown San Diego, are subject to a minimum fare. Even if the calculated time and distance costs only amount to $4.00, you will be charged the minimum (e.g., ~$7.65 for UberX) to ensure the driver is compensated for their time.
function calculateUberFare() {
// 1. Get Input Values
var serviceType = document.getElementById('sd_service').value;
var distance = parseFloat(document.getElementById('sd_distance').value);
var duration = parseFloat(document.getElementById('sd_duration').value);
var surge = parseFloat(document.getElementById('sd_surge').value);
// 2. Validation
if (isNaN(distance) || distance < 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid distance in miles.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(duration) || duration < 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid duration in minutes.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(surge) || surge < 1) {
surge = 1.0;
}
// 3. Define Rate Card for San Diego (Approximate figures)
var rates = {
'uberx': { base: 1.36, perMile: 1.02, perMin: 0.24, book: 2.85, min: 7.65 },
'uberxl': { base: 2.55, perMile: 1.74, perMin: 0.40, book: 2.85, min: 10.70 },
'comfort': { base: 2.15, perMile: 1.25, perMin: 0.35, book: 3.15, min: 10.00 },
'black': { base: 8.00, perMile: 3.55, perMin: 0.45, book: 3.80, min: 15.00 },
'blacksuv': { base: 15.00, perMile: 4.25, perMin: 0.55, book: 3.80, min: 25.00 }
};
var selectedRate = rates[serviceType];
// 4. Calculate Costs
// Standard Formula: ((Base + (Time * Rate) + (Dist * Rate)) * Surge) + Booking Fee
// Note: Booking fee usually doesn't surge, but Base/Time/Dist do.
var costBase = selectedRate.base;
var costTime = duration * selectedRate.perMin;
var costDist = distance * selectedRate.perMile;
var tripFare = (costBase + costTime + costDist) * surge;
var totalFare = tripFare + selectedRate.book;
// 5. Check Minimum Fare
// If the calculated total is less than the minimum, set to minimum.
if (totalFare 1) {
surgeText += " (Applied)";
document.getElementById('sd_breakdown_surge').style.color = "#e74c3c";
} else {
surgeText += " (Normal)";
document.getElementById('sd_breakdown_surge').style.color = "#27ae60";
}
document.getElementById('sd_breakdown_surge').innerText = surgeText;
// Show result box
document.getElementById('sd_result_box').style.display = 'block';
}