Trip from Anaheim, CA to Madera, CA

Q: What are the main roads on this route?

The main roads are Golden State Highway, Golden State Freeway, I 5 Truck. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

Q: Is this a good same-day trip?

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Q: Where should I stop halfway?

The midpoint is about 132.6 miles from Anaheim, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

Q: How much does gas cost for this trip?

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $60.95 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Q: What is the best time to leave?

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Q: How many breaks should I plan?

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Q: What towns show up on signs driving from Anaheim, CA to Madera, CA?

The route from Anaheim, CA to Madera, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

4h 57m

Distance

265.2 mi

427 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$61

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

14 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min

4 AM

4h 44m ★

6 AM

4h 58m

8 AM

5h 25m

10 AM

5h 7m

12 PM

5h 5m

3 PM

5h 9m

5 PM

5h 24m

8 PM

4h 50m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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county seat of Madera County, California, United States

Madera, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Anaheim, CA to Madera, CA covers 265.2 miles and takes about 4h 57m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Golden State Highway, Golden State Freeway, I 5 Truck for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 111.4 miles on Golden State Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $60.95 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

1 planned break

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

Midpoint

132.6 miles from Anaheim, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 34m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 57m. Total distance: 265.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

The drive from Anaheim, CA to Madera, CA covers 265.2 miles and takes about 4h 57m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Golden State Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 111.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.6 miles in near I 5 / Santa Ana Freeway.

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 16 significant decision points across 265.2 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 4.6 miles (I 5 / Santa Ana Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.6 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.3 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

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

4.6 mi into trip | ~7m in | I 5 / Santa Ana Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 / Santa Ana Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

22.6 mi into trip | ~28m in | I 5 / Golden State Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 / Golden State Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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

255 mi into trip | ~4h 46m in

Take the exit toward Avenue 7

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 144 Toward Avenue 7

264.5 mi into trip | ~4h 56m in

Keep slight right at fork toward CA 145: Madera Avenue, Yosemite

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 153B Toward CA 145: Madera Avenue, Yosemite

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Golden State Highway	111.4 mi	2h
Golden State Freeway	83.3 mi	1h 34m
I 5 Truck	37.7 mi	43m
Santa Ana Freeway	21.3 mi	24m
CA 99	8.8 mi	9m
West Lincoln Avenue	1 mi	2m
South Gateway Drive	0.4 mi	<1m
South Madera Avenue	0.2 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: Golden State Highway — 111.4 mi, about 2h

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on this road

200 ft · 16 sec · this road

Turn left onto South Anaheim Boulevard

422 ft · 21 sec · South Anaheim Boulevard

Turn left onto West Lincoln Avenue

1.0 mi · 2 min · West Lincoln Avenue

Use the left lane.

Turn left

0.2 mi · 14 sec

Toward I 5 North: Los Angeles

Merge onto I 5

3.3 mi · 3 min · Santa Ana Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

18 mi · 20 min · Santa Ana Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

25 mi · 29 min · Golden State Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

2.2 mi · 2 min · Golden State Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck

36 mi · 41 min · I 5 Truck

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

22 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99

27 mi · 30 min · Golden State Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99

6.0 mi · 6 min · Golden State Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on CA 99

111 mi · 2 hr · Golden State Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 30 sec

Exit 144 Toward Avenue 7 Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto CA 99

8.8 mi · 9 min · CA 99

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec

Exit 153B Toward CA 145: Madera Avenue, Yosemite

Keep slight right at fork

246 ft · 6 sec

Exit 153B Toward CA 145: Madera Avenue, Yosemite

Continue on CA 145

0.2 mi · 17 sec · South Madera Avenue

Continue on CA 145

0.4 mi · 41 sec · South Gateway Drive

Arrive at destination

North Gateway Drive

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 132.6 miles from Anaheim, CA, or about 2h 34m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.4 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 58 miles or 1h 9m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 132.6 miles or 2h 34m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 5m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Madera, 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 265.2 miles and 4h 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Anaheim, CA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on Golden State Highway for about 111.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 132.6 mi from Anaheim, CA · 2h 34m into the drive

city in Los Angeles County, California, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Santa Clarita, CA

133 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 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bakersfield, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 132.6 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 Golden State Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.4 miles.

Arriving in Madera, CA

The final approach into Madera, 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 Madera, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Anaheim Packing District

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Anaheim, California

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17145337225

Visit website

Muchá! Comida Chapina

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

North Hollywood, California

2.7 mi

Anaheim Packing District

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Anaheim, California

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17145337225

Visit website

Muchá! Comida Chapina

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 37.9

North Hollywood, California

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+18185034511

Visit website

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $20 to $30

Orange, California

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+17147873925

Visit website

Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour Moderately mile 37.9

Universal City, California

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18185099463

Visit website

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 94.7

Lebec, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 37.9

Burbank, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.2 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 94.7

Lebec, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 37.9

Burbank, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 56.8

Valencia, California

+16612554100

Visit website

Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour

Fullerton, California

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+16572783407

Visit website

Universal Studio Tour

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 37.9

Universal City, California

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+18008648377

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

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 ~54 min detour Free near mile 54.9

View on nps.gov

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...

25 mi from route ~63 min detour Free near mile 118.9

View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$60.95 one way

$121.91 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 93 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$6.02	$62.81	$125.63
premium	$6.18	$64.49	$128.99
diesel	$5.61	$58.55	$117.11

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$61

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$86–$111

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 92.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

14 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

The Pique - Tesla Supercharger

Anaheim, CA

Tesla

16 DCFC

Orange, CA

RIVIAN_ADVENTURE

12 DCFC

Anaheim Towne Square

Anaheim, CA

eVgo Network

8 DCFC

BoA CA7-164 (Anaheim, CA)

Anaheim, CA

Electrify America

4 DCFC

Outlets at Orange

Orange, CA

eVgo Network

2 DCFC

OCPW-PKGADMN EV1 FAST

Orange, CA

ChargePoint Network

1 DCFC

H&S ENERGY H&S 2049

Anaheim, CA

ChargePoint Network

1 DCFC

G&AMP;M OIL G&AMP;M #115

Placentia, CA

ChargePoint Network

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 9 eVgo Network: 2 Tesla: 1 RIVIAN_ADVENTURE: 1 Electrify America: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	79.6	0	$27.85	$12.73
Efficient EV	66.3	0	$23.21	$10.61
EV Truck/SUV	106.1	1	$37.13	$16.97

Gas CO2

93 kg

EV CO2

31 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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

4:44 PM

PDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Madera, CA

Afternoon in Madera on Thursday

Local time

4:44 PM

PDT

Current temp

69°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

3 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

4h 57m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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 Madera, CA covers 265.2 miles and takes about 4h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Golden State Highway, Golden State Freeway, I 5 Truck. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 132.6 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 $60.95 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

The route from Anaheim, CA to Madera, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Trip from Anaheim, CA to Madera, CA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Madera, CA

Nearby Places

Anaheim Packing District

Anaheim Packing District

Muchá! Comida Chapina

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant

Pirates Dinner Adventure

Brot Coffee

EVCS Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Electrify America Charging Station

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

Disneyland Railroad - Main Street Station

Mission Escape Games

Animation Academy

Infinity Escape

Exit Game OC - Escape Room

Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles

Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton

Universal Studio Tour

National Parks Near This Route

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

César E. Chávez National Monument

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Anaheim, CA

Madera, CA

Same local time

3 degrees cooler at arrival

4h 57m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore More

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