Traveling from Palm Springs to Anaheim covers 89.9 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 36 minutes. This straightforward journey transitions you from the desert landscape into the heart of the Pacific Coast region. Since the drive is short, it works perfectly as a single-day trip, meaning you do not need to factor in overnight stops. Budget roughly $21 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. It is an efficient connection between two major California hubs, making it ideal for travelers who want to minimize time behind the wheel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
45.2 miles from Palm Springs, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 53m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 50m. Total distance: 90.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (63%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. You will navigate a mix of North Palm Canyon Drive, the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, and CA 60 West to reach your destination. Because the highway share is 0%, you should prepare for a route that requires your full attention on local roads and surface streets. The personality of this drive is functional and grounded, shifting through varied traffic patterns as you move toward the coast. Staying alert is key, as the route demands consistent navigation through these turn-heavy segments.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 17.9 miles.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,574 ft158 ft
Total Climb
2,095 ft
Total Descent
2,416 ft
Highest Point
2,574 ft
~26.3 mi in
Elevation Range
2,416 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway and Riverside Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near CA 111 Business / North Palm Canyon Drive.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 90.3 miles you will encounter 12 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 0.1 miles (CA 111 Business / North Palm Canyon Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 29 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|CA 111 Business / North Palm Canyon Drive
Turn right onto CA 111 Business / North Palm Canyon Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
29 mi into trip|~33m in
Take the exit toward CA 60 West: Riverside
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 93
Toward CA 60 West: Riverside
8
51.7 mi into trip|~1h 1m in
Take the exit toward CA 91 West: Riverside, Beach Cities
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 34B
Toward CA 91 West: Riverside, Beach Cities
7
66.6 mi into trip|~1h 19m in
Take the exit toward Main Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 50
Toward Main Street
7
87.5 mi into trip|~1h 44m in
Take the exit toward State College Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 30
Toward State College Boulevard
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 Palm Springs, CA to Anaheim, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Beach Cities along the way.
Beach Cities
51.7 mi in|~1h 1m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
17.9 mi
19m
Riverside Freeway
17.5 mi
20m
CA 91
16.7 mi
19m
Moreno Valley Freeway
16.5 mi
20m
North Palm Canyon Drive
11 mi
14m
Escondido Freeway
3.9 mi
4m
Moreno Valley Expressway
2 mi
2m
East Lincoln Avenue
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
— 17.9 mi, about 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palm Springs, CA and Anaheim, CA.
1
Start on East Alejo Road
469 ft·19 sec·East Alejo Road
2
Turn right onto CA 111 Business
11 mi·14 min·North Palm Canyon Drive
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on I 10
18 mi·19 min·Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi·13 sec
Exit 93Toward CA 60 West: RiversideUse the slight left lane.
5
Continue on CA 60
0.5 mi·33 sec·Moreno Valley Freeway
6
Continue on CA 60
2.0 mi·2 min·Moreno Valley Expressway
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on CA 60
16 mi·20 min·Moreno Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 215; CA 60
3.9 mi·4 min·Escondido Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
1.5 mi·3 min
Exit 34BToward CA 91 West: Riverside, Beach CitiesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto CA 91
13 mi·15 min·Riverside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·20 sec
Exit 50Toward Main StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on CA 91
17 mi·19 min·CA 91
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 91
4.0 mi·4 min·Riverside Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 30Toward State College BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn left onto North State College Boulevard
1.0 mi·1 min·North State College Boulevard
Use the straight / left lanes.
16
Turn right onto East Lincoln Avenue
1.5 mi·2 min·East Lincoln Avenue
17
Turn left onto South Anaheim Boulevard
470 ft·25 sec·South Anaheim Boulevard
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right
200 ft·14 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For the smoothest experience, plan your departure around local traffic patterns, as this 89.9-mile route relies entirely on local roads. Since there are no designated stops required for this 1 hour and 36 minute trip, you have the flexibility to drive straight through or break it up based on your personal comfort. Keep your $21 fuel budget in mind before you leave Palm Springs to avoid unnecessary stops along the way. Because this is a turn-heavy drive, double-check your GPS navigation settings before pulling out of your starting location. This flexibility is your biggest advantage, so feel free to adjust your departure time to avoid the heaviest congestion on these local stretches.
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 45.2 miles from Palm Springs, CA, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 17.9 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 20 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.2 miles or 53m 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 28m
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 Palm Springs, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Palm Springs, CA
This is one driving day of about 90.3 miles and 1h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Palm Springs, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway for about 17.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 45.2 mi from Palm Springs, CA
· 53m into the drive
The midpoint is around 45.2 miles from Palm Springs, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.75 one way
$41.51 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$21.39
$42.78
premium
$6.18
$21.96
$43.92
diesel
$5.61
$19.94
$39.87
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.1
0
$9.48
$4.33
Efficient EV
22.6
0
$7.90
$3.61
EV Truck/SUV
36.1
0
$12.64
$5.78
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 12, 2026
Origin
Palm Springs, CA
Night
in Palm Springs on Thursday
Local time
10:19 PM
PDT
Current temp
74°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
NE 5 to 10 mph24% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 6:50AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 12 at 6:49AM PDT until April 12 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Destination
Anaheim, CA
Night
in Anaheim on Thursday
Local time
10:19 PM
PDT
Current temp
67°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SW 5 to 15 mph71% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 6:50AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 12 at 6:49AM PDT until April 12 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
53°F
Riverside, CA
45 mi in
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
7 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
1h 50m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Palm Springs, CA to Anaheim, CA covers 90.3 miles and takes about 1h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, Riverside Freeway, CA 91. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 45.2 miles from Palm Springs, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.75 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 90.3 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (CA 111 Business / North Palm Canyon Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 29 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Palm Springs, CA to Anaheim, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Beach Cities along the way.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 158 ft to 2,574 ft elevation with about 2,095 ft of total climbing.
