Trip from Windsor, CA to Anaheim, CA

Drive Time

8h 41m

Distance

462.9 mi

745 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$107

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min

4 AM

8h 33m ★

6 AM

8h 41m

8 AM

8h 57m

10 AM

8h 46m

12 PM

8h 45m

3 PM

8h 47m

5 PM

8h 56m

8 PM

8h 36m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Windsor, CA

Stephen Leonardi

Trip Overview

The drive from Windsor, CA to Anaheim, CA covers 462.9 miles and takes about 8h 41m behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.

The route leans on Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, Redwood Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 224.4 miles on Westside Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $107.20 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

2 planned breaks

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

Midpoint

231.5 miles from Windsor, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 20m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 8h 41m highway drive covering 462.9 miles, with most of the trip on Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck. The longest continuous stretch is about 224.4 miles on Westside Freeway.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 24 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 around 47 miles in near I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway.

Route Complexity 9/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 462.9 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 47 miles (I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64.3 miles (I 580 / Interstate Highway 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64.6 miles (I 580 / MacArthur Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 22 key points

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

47 mi into trip | ~55m in | I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway toward I 580: Richmond Bridge, Oakland

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 451B Toward I 580: Richmond Bridge, Oakland

64.3 mi into trip | ~1h 17m in | I 580 / Interstate Highway 80

Keep slight left at fork onto I 580 / Interstate Highway 80 toward I 580 East, I 880 South: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton, Alameda, San Jose

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 580 East, I 880 South: Downtown Oaklan...

64.6 mi into trip | ~1h 17m in | I 580 / MacArthur Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 580 / MacArthur Freeway toward I 580: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton

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

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 580: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockt...

414.1 mi into trip | ~7h 40m 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

439.1 mi into trip | ~8h 10m 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...

Towns Along This Route

Between Windsor, CA and Anaheim, CA, road signs point toward Oakland, Hayward, Stockton, Alameda, San Jose and Santa Ana.

Oakland

47 mi in | ~55m | via I 580

Hayward

64.3 mi in | ~1h 17m | via I 580

Stockton

64.3 mi in | ~1h 17m | via I 580

Alameda

64.3 mi in | ~1h 17m | via I 580

San Jose

64.3 mi in | ~1h 17m | via I 580

Santa Ana

439.1 mi in | ~8h 10m | via I 5

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Westside Freeway	224.4 mi	4h
I 5 Truck	83.3 mi	1h 36m
Redwood Highway	46.2 mi	53m
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway	29.3 mi	33m
Santa Ana Freeway	20.7 mi	24m
William Elton Brown Freeway	17 mi	18m
MacArthur Freeway	16.4 mi	18m
John T. Knox Freeway	13.6 mi	17m

Longest stretch: Westside Freeway — 224.4 mi, about 4h

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Windsor, CA and Anaheim, CA.

Start on Windsor River Road

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Windsor River Road

Continue on Old Redwood Highway

0.1 mi · 12 sec · Old Redwood Highway

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 43 sec

Toward US 101 South

Merge onto US 101

46 mi · 53 min · Redwood Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 580

14 mi · 17 min · John T. Knox Freeway

Exit 451B Toward I 580: Richmond Bridge, Oakland Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 80; I 580

3.8 mi · 4 min · Eastshore Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 580

0.3 mi · 21 sec · Interstate Highway 80

Toward I 580 East, I 880 South: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton, Alameda, San Jose Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 580

16 mi · 18 min · MacArthur Freeway

Toward I 580: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 580

12 mi · 13 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 580

18 mi · 20 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 580

11 mi · 11 min · William Elton Brown Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 580

5.9 mi · 6 min · William Elton Brown Freeway

Merge onto I 5

224 mi · 4 hr · Westside Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck

58 mi · 1 hr 6 min · I 5 Truck

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

4.1 mi · 4 min · Golden State Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck

25 mi · 29 min · I 5 Truck

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Merge onto I 5

21 mi · 24 min · Santa Ana Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 33 sec

Exit 111 Toward Lincoln Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn left onto West Lincoln Avenue

1.3 mi · 3 min · West Lincoln Avenue

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto South Anaheim Boulevard

370 ft · 14 sec · South Anaheim Boulevard

Turn right

200 ft · 14 sec

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.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 231.5 miles from Windsor, CA, or about 4h 20m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 224.4 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 102 miles or 2h in

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

Halfway reset

Around 231.5 miles or 4h 20m 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 231.5 miles or 4h 20m

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 7h 27m

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 Windsor, 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 Windsor, CA

Aim for roughly 231 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Anaheim, CA

Aim for roughly 231 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 102 miles from Windsor, CA.

This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.

Plan about 2 real breaks 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 231.5 mi from Windsor, CA · 4h 20m into the drive

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Lathrop, CA

231 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 Lathrop, CA

Popular next leg

Lathrop, CA to Anaheim, CA

354.8 mi · 5h 54m

Overnight Options

Night 1

Lathrop, CA

231 mi · about 4.3h in

A practical overnight split lands near Lathrop, CA after about 231 miles or 4.3 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Richmond, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 102 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lathrop, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 231.8 miles from Windsor, 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.

On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Anaheim, 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

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,...

6 mi from route ~15 min detour $15 near mile 47.9

Caution: Auto-Theft Warning - Only Bring What You Need to the Park

View on nps.gov

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...

6 mi from route ~15 min detour Free near mile 63.8

View on nps.gov

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...

7 mi from route ~18 min detour Free near mile 63.8

View on nps.gov

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...

9 mi from route ~21 min detour Free near mile 47.9

View on nps.gov

Point Reyes National Seashore

National Seashore

From its thunderous ocean breakers crashing against rocky headlands and expansive sand beaches to its open grasslands, brushy hillsides, and forested ridges, Point Reyes offers visitors over 1500 spec...

18 mi from route ~45 min detour Free near mile 31.9

View on nps.gov

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...

21 mi from route ~52 min detour Free near mile 63.8

View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$107.20 one way

$214.39 round trip

$5.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 162 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$6.07	$110.55	$221.10
premium	$6.24	$113.77	$227.55
diesel	$5.64	$102.84	$205.68

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$107

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$237–$347

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 162 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $49 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	138.9	1	$48.60	$22.22
Efficient EV	115.7	1	$40.50	$18.52
EV Truck/SUV	185.2	2	$64.81	$29.63

Gas CO2

162 kg

EV CO2

54 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 data refreshed 4 days ago

Origin

Windsor, CA

Morning in Windsor on Monday

Local time

8:51 AM

PDT

Current temp

Unavailable

Destination

Anaheim, CA

Morning in Anaheim on Monday

Local time

8:51 AM

PDT

Current temp

76°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.

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.

Road read

8h 41m 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 Windsor, CA to Anaheim, CA covers 462.9 miles and takes about 8h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, Redwood Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

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 231 miles on day one.

The midpoint is about 231.5 miles from Windsor, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $107.20 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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Between Windsor, CA and Anaheim, CA, road signs point toward Oakland, Hayward, Stockton, Alameda, San Jose and Santa Ana.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Windsor, CA or browse trips ending in Anaheim, CA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.

Explore maps for Windsor, CA or Anaheim, CA on MapSof.net.

Trip from Windsor, CA to Anaheim, CA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Overnight Options

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Anaheim, CA

National Parks Near This Route

Muir Woods National Monument

Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Point Reyes National Seashore

Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Windsor, CA

Anaheim, CA

Same local time

8h 41m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Was this route helpful?

Explore More

Continue From Anaheim, CA

More from Windsor, CA

More trips to Anaheim, CA