Origin
Anaheim, CA
Late night in Anaheim on Friday
Local time
5:33 AM
PDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Anaheim, CA to Lemon Grove, CA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 5m
Distance
101.9 mi
164 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 57m
★
6 AM
2h 6m
8 AM
2h 24m
10 AM
2h 12m
12 PM
2h 10m
3 PM
2h 13m
5 PM
2h 23m
8 PM
2h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lemon Grove, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Anaheim, CA to Lemon Grove, CA covers 101.9 miles and takes about 2h 5m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on San Diego Freeway, Jacob Dekema Freeway, Santa Ana Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 62.4 miles on San Diego Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.42 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
50.9 miles from Anaheim, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 4m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 5m. Total distance: 101.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 5m highway drive covering 101.9 miles, with most of the trip on San Diego Freeway and Jacob Dekema Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 62.4 miles on San Diego Freeway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
San Diego Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 62.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on San Diego Freeway and Jacob Dekema Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 101.9 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 5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.2 miles (Jamboree Road): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 26 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
5 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the exit toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
7
8.9 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the exit toward Newport Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 102
Toward Newport Avenue
8
12.2 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
Jamboree Road
Turn left onto Jamboree Road toward CA 261 Toll North: Jamboree Road, Riverside
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward CA 261 Toll North: Jamboree Road, Rivers...
8
100.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 3m in
Take the exit toward Broadway, College Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 6
Toward Broadway, College Avenue
8
100.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Broadway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward Broadway
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Anaheim, CA to Lemon Grove, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Riverside along the way.
Riverside
12.2 mi in
|
~19m
|
via Jamboree Road
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego Freeway | 62.4 mi | 1h 13m |
| Jacob Dekema Freeway | 13.9 mi | 16m |
| Santa Ana Freeway | 12.1 mi | 13m |
| Martin Luther King Junior Freeway | 3.3 mi | 3m |
| Walnut Avenue | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| Harbor Boulevard | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Broadway | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Jamboree Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
San Diego Freeway
— 62.4 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anaheim, CA and Lemon Grove, CA.
1
Start on this road
200 ft
·
19 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto South Anaheim Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
58 sec
·
South Anaheim Boulevard
3
Turn right onto West Santa Ana Street
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
West Santa Ana Street
4
Turn left onto Harbor Boulevard
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Harbor Boulevard
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on Harbor Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Harbor Boulevard
Use the right lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 5 South: Santa Ana Freeway
Use the right lane.
7
Merge onto I 5
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
57 sec
Toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
Toward I 5 South
12
Merge onto I 5
0.8 mi
·
54 sec
·
Santa Ana Freeway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi
·
52 sec
·
Santa Ana Freeway
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 102
Toward Newport Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
16
Turn right onto Newport Avenue
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
Newport Avenue
Use the right lane.
17
Turn left onto Walnut Avenue
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Walnut Avenue
18
Turn left onto Jamboree Road
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
·
Jamboree Road
Toward CA 261 Toll North: Jamboree Road, Riverside
Use the left lane.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I 5 South
20
Merge onto I 5
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto I 5
62 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
54 sec
Exit 31
24
Continue on I 805
14 mi
·
16 min
·
Jacob Dekema Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 13A
Toward CA 94 East: Martin Luther King Junior Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
26
Merge onto CA 94
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Martin Luther King Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Exit 6
Toward Broadway, College Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork
361 ft
·
10 sec
Toward Broadway
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Continue on Broadway
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Broadway
Use the straight / left lanes.
30
Turn right
184 ft
·
18 sec
31
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 50.9 miles from Anaheim, CA, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.4 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 22 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.9 miles or 1h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lemon Grove, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Anaheim, CA
This is one driving day of about 101.9 miles and 2h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Anaheim, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on San Diego Freeway for about 62.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 50.9 mi from Anaheim, CA · 1h 4m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
51 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 50.9 miles from Anaheim, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before San Diego Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 62.4 miles.
Arriving in Lemon Grove, CA
The final approach into Lemon Grove, 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 Lemon Grove, CA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.42 one way
$46.84 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
36 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $24.14 | $48.27 |
| premium | $6.18 | $24.78 | $49.56 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $22.50 | $45.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 30.6 | 0 | $10.70 | $4.89 |
| Efficient EV | 25.5 | 0 | $8.92 | $4.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 40.8 | 0 | $14.27 | $6.52 |
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
Lemon Grove, CA
Late night in Lemon Grove on Friday
Local time
5:33 AM
PDT
Current temp
72°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 5m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 Lemon Grove, CA covers 101.9 miles and takes about 2h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are San Diego Freeway, Jacob Dekema Freeway, Santa Ana Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 50.9 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 $23.42 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 101.9 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 5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.2 miles (Jamboree Road): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Anaheim, CA to Lemon Grove, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Riverside along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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