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Trip from San Diego, CA to Anderson, CA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

12h 4m

Distance

652.5 mi

1,050 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$150

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
11h 54m ★
6 AM
12h 5m
8 AM
12h 26m
10 AM
12h 12m
12 PM
12h 10m
3 PM
12h 13m
5 PM
12h 25m
8 PM
11h 58m

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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seat of San Diego County, California, United States; second-largest city in California

San Diego, CA

Wikimedia Commons

city in Shasta County, California, USA

Anderson, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from San Diego, CA to Anderson, CA covers 652.5 miles and takes about 12h 4m behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.

The route leans on Westside Freeway, San Diego Freeway, Golden State Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is long-distance drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 425.9 miles on Westside Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $149.97 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

3 planned breaks

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

Midpoint

326.2 miles from San Diego, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 6h 10m into the drive .

Drive Character

At 652.5 miles and 12h 4m of driving, this is a route where fuel stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single turn. The main roads are Westside Freeway and 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 32 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 425.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and San Diego Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 76.1 miles in near I 5 Truck.

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 28 significant decision points across 652.5 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: at 76.1 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 84 miles (Jamboree Road): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 28 key points

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

7
76.1 mi into trip | ~1h 29m in | I 5 Truck

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward Bake Parkway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Bake Parkway
7
83.7 mi into trip | ~1h 38m in

Take the exit toward Jamboree Road

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 100 Toward Jamboree Road
7
84 mi into trip | ~1h 39m in | Jamboree Road

Turn right onto Jamboree Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / right lanes.
9
144.7 mi into trip | ~2h 52m 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
7
204.7 mi into trip | ~4h in | I 5 / Westside Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 / Westside Freeway toward I 5 North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 5 North

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Westside Freeway 425.9 mi 7h 39m
San Diego Freeway 75.2 mi 1h 27m
Golden State Freeway 50 mi 57m
I 5 Truck 45.3 mi 52m
Santa Ana Freeway 30.4 mi 35m
Cascade Wonderland Highway 20 mi 21m
El Camino Real 2.2 mi 4m
CA 273 1.9 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Westside Freeway — 425.9 mi, about 7h 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between San Diego, CA and Anderson, CA.

1

Start on Front Street

26 ft · 6 sec · Front Street
2

Turn left onto West Broadway

290 ft · 12 sec · West Broadway
3

Turn left onto 1st Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · 1st Avenue
Use the left lane.
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Toward I 5 North: Los Angeles Use the left / straight lanes.
5

Merge onto I 5

13 mi · 15 min · San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

36 mi · 43 min · San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

18 mi · 20 min · San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

7.4 mi · 8 min · San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck

1.6 mi · 1 min · I 5 Truck
Toward Bake Parkway Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck

6.0 mi · 6 min · I 5 Truck
Use the slight right lane.
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 16 sec
Exit 100 Toward Jamboree Road Use the slight right lane.
12

Continue on this road

527 ft · 11 sec · this road
13

Turn right onto Jamboree Road

0.1 mi · 18 sec · Jamboree Road
Use the left / right lanes.
14

Turn left onto El Camino Real

2.2 mi · 4 min · El Camino Real
Use the left lane.
15

Turn left onto Newport Avenue

357 ft · 13 sec · Newport Avenue
Use the left lane.
16

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 16 sec
Toward I 5 North: Los Angeles
17

Merge onto I 5

1.3 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

1.7 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway
19

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

9.4 mi · 10 min · Santa Ana Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
20

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

18 mi · 20 min · Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

25 mi · 29 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

2.2 mi · 2 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

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.
24

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck

36 mi · 41 min · I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

22 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

226 mi · 4 hr 1 min · Westside Freeway
Toward I 5 North Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

26 mi · 27 min · Westside Freeway
28

Keep left at fork onto I 5

54 mi · 59 min · Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

121 mi · 2 hr 10 min · Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30

Continue on I 5

20 mi · 21 min · Cascade Wonderland Highway
31

Take the exit onto CA 273; US 99 Hist

1.9 mi · 2 min · CA 273; US 99 Hist
Exit 667A Toward Anderson, Deschutes Road, Factory Outlet Drive
32

Arrive at destination

CA 273; US 99 Hist

Trip Plan

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.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 326.2 miles from San Diego, CA, or about 6h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 425.9 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 144 miles or 2h 51m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 326.2 miles or 6h 10m in

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

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 326.2 miles or 6h 10m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 10h 59m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Anderson, CA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving San Diego, 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.

+

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

+

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from San Diego, CA

Aim for roughly 326 miles and 6 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Anderson, CA

Aim for roughly 326 miles and 6 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 144 miles from San Diego, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 425.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 326.2 mi from San Diego, CA · 6h 10m into the drive

Downtown los-angeles-ca

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

Los Angeles, CA

215 mi into the route

Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch

This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.

Popular next leg

Los Angeles, CA to Modesto, CA

311.8 mi · 5h 53m

city in and county seat of Stanislaus County, California, United States

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

Modesto, CA

431 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Modesto, CA

Overnight Options

Night 1

Bakersfield, CA

326 mi · about 6h in

A practical overnight split lands near Bakersfield, CA after about 326 miles or 6 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Santa Clarita, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 144 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Modesto, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 326.2 miles from San Diego, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 425.9 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 326 miles or 6 hours on the road.

Arriving in Anderson, CA

The final approach into Anderson, 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 Anderson, CA.

On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Anderson, CA with some flexibility left in the schedule.

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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$149.97 one way

$299.94 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 228 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $154.54 $309.09
premium $6.18 $158.68 $317.36
diesel $5.61 $144.06 $288.13

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$150

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$280–$390

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 228.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $69 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 195.8 2 $68.51 $31.32
Efficient EV 163.1 1 $57.09 $26.10
EV Truck/SUV 261 3 $91.35 $41.76

Gas CO2

228 kg

EV CO2

76 kg (67% less)

Plan for 2 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 14, 2026

Origin

San Diego, CA

Morning in San Diego on Thursday

Local time

9:12 AM

PDT

Current temp

70°F

Sunny

SW 0 to 15 mph 3% chance Live forecast

Lake Wind Advisory

Lake Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 12:37AM PDT until April 15 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Reno NV

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 12:37AM PDT until April 15 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Reno NV

Destination

Anderson, CA

Morning in Anderson on Thursday

Local time

9:12 AM

PDT

Current temp

69°F

Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny

SE 1 to 7 mph 6% chance Live forecast

Lake Wind Advisory

Lake Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 12:37AM PDT until April 15 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Reno NV

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 12:37AM PDT until April 15 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Reno NV

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.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

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

1 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

12h 4m on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from San Diego, CA to Anderson, CA covers 652.5 miles and takes about 12h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, San Diego Freeway, Golden State Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 326 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 326.2 miles from San Diego, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $149.97 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 3 meaningful breaks 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 28 significant decision points across 652.5 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: at 76.1 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 84 miles (Jamboree Road): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from San Diego, CA to Anderson, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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