Skip to main content
Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Anaheim, CA to Citrus Heights, CA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

7h 52m

Distance

425.9 mi

685 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$98

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

36 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
7h 43m ★
6 AM
7h 52m
8 AM
8h 10m
10 AM
7h 59m
12 PM
7h 57m
3 PM
7h 59m
5 PM
8h 9m
8 PM
7h 47m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Citrus Heights, CA, CA

Citrus Heights, CA

Stephen Leonardi

Trip Overview

This 425.9-mile drive from Anaheim, CA to Citrus Heights, CA will take you approximately 7 hours and 52 minutes. It's a predominantly highway-focused journey, with 98% of the route on major freeways like the Westside Freeway and Golden State Freeway. Given the duration, this trip is best tackled in a single day, especially with an estimated fuel cost of $98. You'll be spending most of your time on I 5 Truck, making for a straightforward, albeit long, transit through California's interior.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

212.9 miles from Anaheim, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 59m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 52m. Total distance: 425.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 52m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused profile for this 425.9-mile trek. You'll be on major freeways for 98% of the journey, primarily utilizing the Westside Freeway and Golden State Freeway. The longest uninterrupted stretch clocks in at an impressive 297.1 miles on the Westside Freeway, meaning extended periods of consistent driving. While not inherently scenic, this route prioritizes efficient travel, allowing you to cover ground quickly.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Westside Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 297.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and Golden State Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 50.3 miles in near I 5 Truck.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 425.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 50.3 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 407.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 407.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 22 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

9
50.3 mi into trip | ~1h in | I 5 Truck

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 161A Toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
8
407.3 mi into trip | ~7h 29m in

Take the exit toward US 50, I 80 East: San Francisco, South Lake Tahoe

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 518 Toward US 50, I 80 East: San Francisco, South L...
10
407.5 mi into trip | ~7h 30m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 50 East, I 80 Business East: South Lake Tahoe, Broadway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 518 Toward US 50 East, I 80 Business East: South La...
9
407.7 mi into trip | ~7h 30m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 50 East, I 80 East: South Lake Tahoe

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 518 Toward US 50 East, I 80 East: South Lake Tahoe
10
424.3 mi into trip | ~7h 49m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Antelope Road, Citrus Heights

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left / right lanes. Exit 100 Toward Antelope Road, Citrus Heights

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Westside Freeway 297.1 mi 5h 20m
Golden State Freeway 50 mi 57m
I 5 Truck 37.7 mi 43m
Santa Ana Freeway 21.3 mi 24m
Capital City Freeway 10.6 mi 11m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 5 mi 5m
Antelope Road 1.4 mi 2m
West Lincoln Avenue 1 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Westside Freeway — 297.1 mi, about 5h 20m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Anaheim, CA and Citrus Heights, CA.

1

Start on this road

200 ft · 16 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto South Anaheim Boulevard

422 ft · 21 sec · South Anaheim Boulevard
3

Turn left onto West Lincoln Avenue

1.0 mi · 2 min · West Lincoln Avenue
Use the left lane.
4

Turn left

0.2 mi · 14 sec
Toward I 5 North: Los Angeles
5

Merge onto I 5

3.3 mi · 3 min · Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

18 mi · 20 min · Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

25 mi · 29 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

2.2 mi · 2 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck

1.5 mi · 1 min · I 5 Truck
Exit 161A Toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck

36 mi · 41 min · I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

22 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

226 mi · 4 hr 1 min · Westside Freeway
Toward I 5 North Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

26 mi · 27 min · Westside Freeway
14

Keep left at fork onto I 5

46 mi · 50 min · Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 12 sec
Exit 518 Toward US 50, I 80 East: San Francisco, South Lake Tahoe Use the slight right lane.
16

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 12 sec
Exit 518 Toward US 50 East, I 80 Business East: South Lake Tahoe, Broadway Use the slight right lane.
17

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 518 Toward US 50 East, I 80 East: South Lake Tahoe Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Merge onto US 50; I 80 Business

1.2 mi · 1 min · Capital City Freeway
19

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business

9.4 mi · 10 min · Capital City Freeway
Toward I 80 Business East, CA 99 South: Reno, Fresno Use the slight right lane.
20

Continue on I 80

5.0 mi · 5 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Exit 100 Toward Antelope Road Use the slight right lane.
22

Keep slight right at fork

319 ft · 7 sec
Exit 100 Toward Antelope Road, Citrus Heights Use the left / right lanes.
23

Turn straight onto Antelope Road

1.4 mi · 2 min · Antelope Road
24

Turn left onto Mariposa Avenue

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Mariposa Avenue
Use the left lane.
25

Turn right

50 ft · 3 sec
26

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 7-hour, 52-minute drive, plan to depart early to avoid potential traffic, especially around the initial urban areas. With two recommended stops, you can break up the 425.9 miles into manageable segments. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $98, and utilize the services along the I 5 Truck corridor. Given the long stretches, ensure you take breaks to stay alert, particularly during the 297.1-mile segment on the Westside Freeway.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 212.9 miles from Anaheim, CA, or about 3h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 297.1 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 94 miles or 1h 51m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 212.9 miles or 3h 59m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 43m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Citrus Heights, CA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Anaheim, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

+

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Anaheim, CA

This is one driving day of about 425.9 miles and 7h 52m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 94 miles from Anaheim, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 297.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 212.9 mi from Anaheim, CA · 3h 59m into the drive

city and county seat of Kern County, California, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bakersfield, CA

213 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Santa Clarita, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 94 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Barstow, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 212.9 miles from Anaheim, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 297.1 miles.

Arriving in Citrus Heights, CA

The final approach into Citrus Heights, CA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Citrus Heights, CA.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultura...

22 mi from route ~56 min detour Free near mile 44.1
View on nps.gov
César E. Chávez National Monument

César E. Chávez National Monument

National Monument

Yes, we can! Widely recognized as the most important Latino leader in the United States during the twentieth century, Cesar Chavez led farm workers and supporters in the establishment of the country's...

28 mi from route ~70 min detour Free near mile 117.5
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$97.89 one way

$195.78 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 149 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $100.87 $201.75
premium $6.18 $103.57 $207.15
diesel $5.61 $94.03 $188.07

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$98

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$123–$148

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 149 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

36 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

EVCS Charging Station

Fullerton, California

EVCS

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Fullerton, California

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Citrus Heights, California

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Sacramento, California

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Valencia, California

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

Tesla Supercharger

Valencia, California

Tesla

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Fullerton, California

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Burbank, California

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint: 16 Tesla: 6 EVgo: 4 Electrify America: 4 EVCS: 2 Other: 2 Blink: 1 EV Connect: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $45 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 127.8 1 $44.72 $20.44
Efficient EV 106.5 1 $37.27 $17.04
EV Truck/SUV 170.4 2 $59.63 $27.26

Gas CO2

149 kg

EV CO2

50 kg (66% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Anaheim, CA

Afternoon in Anaheim on Thursday

Local time

1:02 PM

PDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Citrus Heights, CA

Afternoon in Citrus Heights on Thursday

Local time

1:02 PM

PDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

24 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

7h 52m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Anaheim, CA to Citrus Heights, CA covers 425.9 miles and takes about 7h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, Golden State Freeway, I 5 Truck. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 212.9 miles from Anaheim, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $97.89 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 425.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 50.3 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 407.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 407.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Anaheim, CA to Citrus Heights, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Citrus Heights, CA to Anaheim, CA

Plan the drive back the other way.

426 mi 7h 54m

Continue From Citrus Heights, CA

Chula Vista, CA 528.2 mi · 9h 55m Riverside, CA 451.3 mi · 8h 27m Irvine, CA 440.7 mi · 8h 8m Santa Ana, CA 432.2 mi · 8h

More from Anaheim, CA

Bayside, CA 675.7 mi · 13h 5m Willow Creek, CA 669.1 mi · 12h 25m Alturas, CA 657.6 mi · 13h 18m McCloud, CA 635.7 mi · 11h 43m Susanville, CA 596.6 mi · 11h 31m Central Valley (historical), CA 576.3 mi · 10h 34m

More trips to Citrus Heights, CA

Riverside, CA 451.2 mi Fontana, CA 445.8 mi Long Beach, CA 423.8 mi Bakersfield, CA 289.9 mi Fresno, CA 182.6 mi Fremont, CA 119.7 mi
Overnight trips from Anaheim, CA Scenic drives in CA

Explore more options from Anaheim, CA or browse trips ending in Citrus Heights, CA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.

Explore maps for Anaheim, CA or Citrus Heights, CA on MapSof.net.