Rental Car
Pick Up Your Rental
Pick upChicago · Sep 22
Drop offSan Diego · Sep 25
Total miles2163 mi
Getting There · Step 1
Stay Tonight · Chicago, IL
Hotel
Chicago Overnight
Check-inTue, Sep 22
Check-outWed, Sep 23
First pitch7:40 PM ET
Book near downtown or the ballpark so your first-game arrival stays simple.
DAY 1
Tuesday, September 22
First pitch at 7:40 PM ET — Chicago Cubs vs. Miami Marlins at Wrigley Field tonight. Don't leave without Chicago-Style Hot Dog.
Stop 01 of 02
Chicago, IL · Tue Sep 22
Wrigley Field
Chicago Cubs · MLB
3 Games This Series
Tue Sep 227:40 PM ET
No PromoWed Sep 237:40 PM ET
No PromoThu Sep 242:20 PM ET
Fan Appreciation DayMust Eat at the Park
Chicago-Style Hot Dog
A Vienna beef hot dog on a poppy seed bun, dragged through the garden: yellow mustard, bright green relish, onions, tomato wedges, a pickle spear, sport peppers, and celery salt. No ketchup. Ever.
Local Beer
Old Style Lager
Served at Wrigley since 1950. The single most identified brand with Cubs baseball. The bleachers run on Old Style.
Pabst Brewing
The Friendly Confines and the Longest Drought in Sports
Pilgrim Notes · Chicago Baseball History
More Games This Series
Sep 23 · Wed
7:40 PM ET · Miami Marlins
Sep 24 · Thu
2:20 PM ET · Miami Marlins
Stay Tonight · Chicago, IL
Chicago Overnight
Check-inTue, Sep 22
Check-outWed, Sep 23
First pitch tomorrow at 9:40 PM ET. Leave by Previous evening — overnight drive recommended.
Fri Morning
When to Depart
Leave byPrevious evening — overnight drive recommended
Drive to San Diego2163 mi · 37.3h
Game time9:40 PM ET
Long drive — consider stopping overnight in Chicago overnight.
Breakfast Stop · Chicago, IL
Before You Hit the Road
Lou Mitchell's
Jackson Blvd since 1923. A Chicago institution older than most Wrigley Field renovations. Double-yolk eggs, homemade marmalade, complimentary Milk Duds while you wait. Cubs and Sox fans both claim it.
Double-yolk omelette + fresh OJ
Open 5:30 AM–3 PM Mon–Sat
Worth the Detour · +10 min
World's Largest Thermometer — Baker
A 134-foot thermometer built to honor the 134°F record set in nearby Death Valley. Visible from I-15. The Alien Fresh Jerky shop next door is its own category of American roadside experience.
Baker, CA · 10 min detourChicago → San Diego
2163 mi · 37.3h · long haul
DAY 4
Friday, September 25
First pitch at 9:40 PM ET — San Diego Padres vs. Arizona Diamondbacks at Petco Park tonight — Hispanic Heritage Celebration; Fiesta in the Park tonight. World's Largest Thermometer — Baker is worth 10 minutes off the highway.
Stop 02 of 02
San Diego, CA · Fri Sep 25
Petco Park
San Diego Padres · MLB
5 Games This Series
Fri Sep 189:40 PM ET
No PromoSat Sep 198:40 PM ET
No PromoSun Sep 204:10 PM ET
Kids Superhero Lunch Box (14 & under); Healthcare Appreciation DayFri Sep 259:40 PM ET
Hispanic Heritage Celebration; Fiesta in the ParkSat Sep 268:40 PM ET
Hispanic Heritage CelebrationMust Eat at the Park
Donut Bacon Cheeseburger
Beef patty, bacon, cheese between two glazed donuts — a national story when introduced. Randy Jones BBQ.
Local Beer
Stone Brewing IPA
Full tap program: IPA, Arrogant Bastard Ale, rotating seasonals. One of America's most influential craft breweries.
Stone Brewing
More Games This Series
Sep 19 · Sat
8:40 PM ET · Miami Marlins
Sep 20 · Sun
4:10 PM ET · Miami Marlins
Shift 2 days to catch Fan Appreciation Day at Wrigley Field.
• Fan Appreciation Day at Wrigley Field
• Hispanic Heritage Celebration; Fiesta in the Park at Petco Park
• Hispanic Heritage Celebration at Petco Park
What to Budget
Estimates only — prices vary by availability
Tickets · 8 games (avg $46)$368
Hotels · 3 nights (avg $155)$465
Fuel · 2163 mi at $0.18/mi$389
Ballpark food & drinks$400
Total Estimate$1,622
* Estimates only. Prices vary.
How This Trip Was Planned
Our Algorithm
We evaluate many stop orders (up to seven parks: every permutation; larger trips: smart samples plus nearest-neighbor paths from home) and keep the version that preserves the most ballparks on your list with the least driving between games, inside an expanded or standard date ...