Brentwood, CA to Anaheim, CA is 369.5 miles and takes about 6h 59m via Westside Freeway and I-5, with a fuel budget near $85 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive keeps you primarily on major freeways as you travel south through California's Pacific Coast region. With a high percentage of highway driving, expect a straightforward journey that's well-suited for a single-day trip. If you're looking for an efficient way to get from Northern to Southern California without much fuss, this route offers that convenience.
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
184.8 miles from Brentwood, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 28m into the drive
.
Brentwood is an affluent, suburban city in eastern Contra Costa County, California with a popular downtown for visitors coming from the Sacramento Valley to the county. It serves as one of the eastern gateways to the East Bay, along with Livermore. Many in the city are commuters.
Top landmarks
•Stone House of John Marsh — historic stone house in Contra Costa County, California
Anaheim is a city in Orange County, California. It is best known for being the home of Disneyland. Its second claim to fame is hosting the National Hockey League's Anaheim Ducks and Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Angels.
Top landmarks
•Disneyland — American theme park in California owned by The Walt Disney Company
•Disney California Adventure — theme park in California, part of Disneyland Resort
•Soarin' — flight motion simulator attraction at Disney parks
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 59m. Total distance: 369.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 59m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 95% of the journey taking place on major roads like the Westside Freeway and the Santa Ana Freeway. You'll experience long stretches of consistent driving, including a continuous segment of 224.4 miles on the Westside Freeway. The character of the drive is largely defined by its interstate nature, offering speed and directness rather than winding scenic byways. Expect a steady pace as you navigate through the heart of California's freeway system.
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 224.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Oak Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 369.5 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: near the start (Oak Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 15.2 miles (Mountain House Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 320.7 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Oak Street
Turn left onto Oak Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
15.2 mi into trip|~23m in|Mountain House Parkway
Turn right onto Mountain House Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
8
320.7 mi into trip|~5h 59m in|I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 405 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 158
Toward I 405 South
8
345.7 mi into trip|~6h 28m in|I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Golden State Freeway toward CA 60 East, I 5 South: Pomona, Soto Street, Santa Ana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward CA 60 East, I 5 South: Pomona, Soto Stre...
7
367.7 mi into trip|~6h 54m in
Take the exit toward Lincoln Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 111
Toward Lincoln Avenue
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 Brentwood, CA to Anaheim, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Santa Ana along the way.
Santa Ana
345.7 mi in|~6h 28m|via I 5
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
224.4 mi
4h
I 5 Truck
83.3 mi
1h 36m
Santa Ana Freeway
20.7 mi
24m
William Elton Brown Freeway
14 mi
15m
Byron Highway
8.1 mi
12m
Golden State Freeway
5.3 mi
6m
Brentwood Boulevard
3.7 mi
5m
Mountain House Parkway
3.4 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 224.4 mi, about 4h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brentwood, CA and Anaheim, CA.
1
Start on Brentwood Boulevard
66 ft·8 sec·Brentwood Boulevard
2
Turn left onto Oak Street
97 ft·9 sec·Oak Street
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left
305 ft·23 sec
4
Turn right onto Brentwood Boulevard
3.7 mi·5 min·Brentwood Boulevard
5
Continue on Byron Highway
1.4 mi·2 min·Byron Highway
Use the straight lane.
6
Turn right onto J4
6.7 mi·10 min·Byron Highway
7
Continue on J4
1.5 mi·2 min·Byron-Bethany Road
8
Continue on J4
1.8 mi·2 min·Byron Road
9
Turn right onto Mountain House Parkway
2.7 mi·4 min·Mountain House Parkway
Use the slight left lane.
10
Continue on International Parkway
1.0 mi·1 min·International Parkway
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on Mountain House Parkway
0.8 mi·1 min·Mountain House Parkway
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
13
Merge onto I 580
8.1 mi·8 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
5.9 mi·6 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
15
Merge onto I 5
224 mi·4 hr·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
0.3 mi·17 sec·I 5 Truck
Exit 158Toward I 405 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
25 mi·29 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
1.3 mi·1 min·Golden State Freeway
Toward CA 60 East, I 5 South: Pomona, Soto Street, Santa AnaUse the slight left / straight lanes.
21
Merge onto I 5
21 mi·24 min·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.5 mi·33 sec
Exit 111Toward Lincoln AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn left onto West Lincoln Avenue
1.3 mi·3 min·West Lincoln Avenue
Use the left lane.
24
Turn right onto South Anaheim Boulevard
370 ft·14 sec·South Anaheim Boulevard
25
Turn right
200 ft·14 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 59m estimated duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, so consider leaving early to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in how you pace yourself, but ensure you're aware of fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch. A practical tip for this route is to monitor traffic conditions around major metropolitan areas as you approach Anaheim, as congestion can significantly impact your arrival time. Keep your fuel tank at least half full when you see stations, as the majority of the drive is on high-speed freeways.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 184.8 miles from Brentwood, CA, or about 3h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 224.4 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 81 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 184.8 miles or 3h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Anaheim, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Brentwood, 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 Brentwood, CA
This is one driving day of about 369.5 miles and 6h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from Brentwood, 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 Westside Freeway for about 224.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 184.8 mi from Brentwood, CA
· 3h 28m into the drive
The midpoint is around 185.7 miles from Brentwood, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Anaheim, CA
The final approach into Anaheim, 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 Anaheim, 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.
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
National Memorial
On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two s...
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
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 320.2
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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 256.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$84.93 one way
$169.85 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg129 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$87.52
$175.03
premium
$6.18
$89.86
$179.72
diesel
$5.61
$81.58
$163.16
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$85
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$110–$135
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 129.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
110.9
1
$38.80
$17.74
Efficient EV
92.4
1
$32.33
$14.78
EV Truck/SUV
147.8
1
$51.73
$23.65
Gas CO2
129 kg
EV CO2
43 kg (67% 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
Brentwood, CA
Morning
in Brentwood on Saturday
Local time
7:07 AM
PDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Destination
Anaheim, CA
Morning
in Anaheim on Saturday
Local time
7:07 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.
Road read
6h 59m 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 Brentwood, CA to Anaheim, CA covers 369.5 miles and takes about 6h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, 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 184.8 miles from Brentwood, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $84.93 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 1 meaningful break 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 19 significant decision points across 369.5 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: near the start (Oak Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 15.2 miles (Mountain House Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 320.7 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Brentwood, CA to Anaheim, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Santa Ana along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
