Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
1h 17m
Distance
62.6 mi
101 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Valencia, CA
Wikii Heiwa
The drive from Anaheim, CA to Valencia, CA covers 62.6 miles and takes about 1h 17m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Golden State Freeway, Santa Ana Freeway, I 5 Truck for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 28 miles on Golden State Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $14.39 one way before food or hotel costs.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 17m. Total distance: 62.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a 1h 17m highway drive covering 62.6 miles, with most of the trip on Golden State Freeway and Santa Ana Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 28 miles on Golden State Freeway.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Golden State Freeway and Santa Ana Freeway. 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.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 62.6 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 48 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 / Santa Ana Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Take the exit onto I 5 / Golden State Freeway toward Magic Mountain Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Golden State Freeway | 28 mi | 33m |
| Santa Ana Freeway | 21.3 mi | 24m |
| I 5 Truck | 9.5 mi | 10m |
| The Old Road | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| West Lincoln Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
| Magic Mountain Parkway | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| South Anaheim Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Thornton Lane | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Anaheim, CA and Valencia, CA.
Start on this road
Turn left onto South Anaheim Boulevard
Turn left onto West Lincoln Avenue
Turn left
Merge onto I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
Take the exit onto I 5
Turn left onto CA 126
Turn right onto The Old Road
Turn left onto Thornton Lane
Turn left
Turn left
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 31.3 mi from Anaheim, CA · 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
31 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.
A short stop after about 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 31.3 miles from Anaheim, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Valencia, CA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$14.39 one way
$28.78 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $14.83 | $29.65 |
| premium | $6.18 | $15.22 | $30.45 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.82 | $27.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$14
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.8 | 0 | $6.57 | $3.00 |
| Efficient EV | 15.7 | 0 | $5.48 | $2.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 25 | 0 | $8.76 | $4.01 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (68% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Anaheim on Thursday
Local time
7:02 PM
PDT
Current temp
74°F
Partly Sunny
Destination
Evening in Valencia on Thursday
Local time
7:02 PM
PDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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