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Trip from South San Francisco, CA to Anaheim, CA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 39m

Distance

403 mi

648 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$93

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
7h 30m ★
6 AM
7h 39m
8 AM
7h 59m
10 AM
7h 46m
12 PM
7h 44m
3 PM
7h 47m
5 PM
7h 58m
8 PM
7h 33m

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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city in San Mateo County, California, United States

South San Francisco, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from South San Francisco, CA to Anaheim, CA covers 403 miles and takes about 7h 39m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, Bayshore Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 181.1 miles on Westside Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $92.63 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

2 planned breaks

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

Midpoint

201.5 miles from South San Francisco, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 50m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Westside Freeway 181.1 mi 3h 14m
I 5 Truck 83.3 mi 1h 36m
Bayshore Freeway 67.9 mi 1h 18m
Pacheco Pass Highway 40.6 mi 50m
Santa Ana Freeway 20.7 mi 24m
Golden State Freeway 5.3 mi 6m
West Lincoln Avenue 1.3 mi 3m
Airport Boulevard 0.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Westside Freeway — 181.1 mi, about 3h 14m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between South San Francisco, CA and Anaheim, CA.

1

Start on Airport Boulevard

366 ft · 16 sec · Airport Boulevard
Use the straight / left lanes.
2

Turn left onto Miller Avenue

244 ft · 11 sec · Miller Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
3

Turn right onto Cypress Avenue

364 ft · 17 sec · Cypress Avenue
4

Turn right onto Lux Avenue

212 ft · 12 sec · Lux Avenue
5

Turn right onto Airport Boulevard

0.5 mi · 59 sec · Airport Boulevard
Use the straight / left lanes.
6

Continue on Produce Avenue

0.3 mi · 26 sec · Produce Avenue
7

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Toward US 101 South: San Jose Use the straight / right lanes.
8

Merge onto US 101

0.4 mi · 29 sec · Bayshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto US 101

25 mi · 28 min · Bayshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto US 101

42 mi · 48 min · Bayshore Freeway
Toward US 101 South: San Jose, Los Angeles Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit onto CA 152

0.3 mi · 39 sec · CA 152
Toward CA 152 East: 10th Street, Pacheco Pass Road
12

Turn left onto CA 152

353 ft · 12 sec · East 10th Street
13

Continue on CA 152

41 mi · 50 min · Pacheco Pass Highway
14

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 5: Los Angeles
15

Merge onto I 5

181 mi · 3 hr 14 min · 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 158 Toward I 405 South Use 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 Ana Use 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 111 Toward Lincoln Avenue Use 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

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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 201.5 miles from South San Francisco, CA, or about 3h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 181.1 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 89 miles or 1h 46m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 201.5 miles or 3h 50m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 26m

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 South San Francisco, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from South San Francisco, CA

This is one driving day of about 403 miles and 7h 39m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 89 miles from South San Francisco, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 181.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in California, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Mendota, CA

202 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

Gilroy, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 89 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Mendota, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 201.5 miles from South San Francisco, 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 181.1 miles.

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 end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 403

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17145337225

Visit website

Anaheim Packing District

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 403

Anaheim, California

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17145337225

Visit website

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $20 to $30 mile 403

Orange, California

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+17147873925

Visit website

Pirates Dinner Adventure

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $50 to $10 mile 403

Buena Park, California

+17146901497

Visit website

Central Kitchen at The Lorenzo

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 374.2

Los Angeles, California

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+12139082400

Visit website

Golfland USA

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 28.8

Sunnyvale, California

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+14082458434

Visit website

Jurassic Magic Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 374.2

Los Angeles, California

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+12132639741

Visit website

Brot Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 403

Orange, California

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+17146029894

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 143.9

Firebaugh, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 345.4

Stevenson Ranch, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 143.9

Firebaugh, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18337484267

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.1 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 143.9

Firebaugh, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 403

Fullerton, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 201.5

Kettleman City, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 345.4

Valencia, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 345.4

Valencia, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Seven Seas Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 28.8

Sunnyvale, California

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+14087307506

Visit website

Orange Memorial Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

South San Francisco, California

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+16508756973

Visit website

Moffett Field Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 28.8

Mountain View, CA

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+16509644024

Visit website

Washington Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 28.8

Sunnyvale, California

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+14087307350

Visit website

Disneyland Railroad - Main Street Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 403

Anaheim, California

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+17147814636

Visit website

Mission Escape Games

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 403

Anaheim, California

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+16572345625

Visit website

Magical Bridge Playground

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 28.8

Sunnyvale, California

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+16505382850

Visit website

Animation Academy

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 403

Anaheim, CA

Hours: 9 am–7:30 pm

+17147814636

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 22

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 401.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Miller Avenue

Turn left onto Miller Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.
8
26.6 mi into trip | ~32m in | US 101 / Bayshore Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto US 101 / Bayshore Freeway toward US 101 South: San Jose, Los Angeles

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 101 South: San Jose, Los Angeles
8
354.1 mi into trip | ~6h 39m 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
379.1 mi into trip | ~7h 8m 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
401.1 mi into trip | ~7h 34m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$92.63 one way

$185.25 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 141 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $95.45 $190.90
premium $6.18 $98.01 $196.01
diesel $5.61 $88.98 $177.95

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$93

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$118–$143

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 141 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $42 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 120.9 1 $42.32 $19.34
Efficient EV 100.8 1 $35.26 $16.12
EV Truck/SUV 161.2 2 $56.42 $25.79

Gas CO2

141 kg

EV CO2

47 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 14, 2026

Origin

South San Francisco, CA

Afternoon in South San Francisco on Saturday

Local time

1:57 PM

PDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Anaheim, CA

Afternoon in Anaheim on Saturday

Local time

1:57 PM

PDT

Current temp

52°F

Mostly Clear

SW 5 to 10 mph 3% chance 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

14 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

7h 39m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park celebrates America’s maritime heritage on the Pacific Coast. Our 50-acre park has grown around Aquatic Park Cove, a protected area...

11 mi from route ~27 min detour Free
Park Closure: Hyde Street Pier Closure
Caution: Sick Birds and Wildlife, H5N1
View on nps.gov
Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

Experience a park so rich it supports 19 distinct ecosystems with over 2,000 plant and animal species. Go for a hike, enjoy a vista, have a picnic or learn about the centuries of overlapping history f...

18 mi from route ~44 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park

Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of American civilians on the WWII home front. Discover how diverse communities lived, worked, and interacted. Many faces, many stories, many truths...

18 mi from route ~45 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Muir Woods National Monument

Muir Woods National Monument

National Monument

Walk among old growth coast redwoods, cooling their roots in the fresh water of Redwood Creek and lifting their crowns to reach the sun and fog. Federally protected as a National Monument since 1908,...

19 mi from route ~48 min detour $15
View on nps.gov
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

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 ~55 min detour Free near mile 347.4
View on nps.gov
César E. Chávez National Monument

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...

27 mi from route ~67 min detour Free near mile 291.8
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

403 mi in 7h 39m, mostly highway — 181.1 mi of that is on Westside Freeway.

89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 181.1 mi on Westside Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

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 around 0.1 miles in near Miller Avenue.

Driving Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 403 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 0.1 miles (Miller Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 26.6 miles (US 101 / Bayshore Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 354.1 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between South San Francisco, CA and Anaheim, CA, road signs point toward Los Angeles and Santa Ana.

Los Angeles

26.6 mi in | ~32m | via US 101

Santa Ana

379.1 mi in | ~7h 8m | via I 5

About the Cities

Arriving in Anaheim, CA

Full guide →

Founded 1857

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

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 39m. Total distance: 403 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 39m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 181.1 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Anaheim, CA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Miller Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 26.6 miles (US 101 / Bayshore Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 354.1 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.7 hours each way, a round trip means 15.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Anaheim, CA before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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.

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