Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 19m
Distance
65.8 mi
106 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Spanning 65.8 miles between Anaheim and Castaic, this efficient trip connects two points within the Pacific Coast region. You can expect to complete the journey in approximately 1 hour and 19 minutes, making it a straightforward day trip that requires no overnight stay. Budgeting around $15 for fuel will cover your transit across these California corridors. Since the route relies heavily on major infrastructure, it is a practical choice for those who value speed and directness over leisure. Whether you are heading out for work or a quick change of scenery, the drive offers a reliable path through the heart of the state.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Golden State Freeway | 27.7 mi | 32m |
| Santa Ana Freeway | 21.3 mi | 24m |
| I 5 Truck | 15 mi | 17m |
| West Lincoln Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
| Parker Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South Anaheim Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Castaic Oak Lane | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Anaheim, CA and Castaic, CA.
Start on this road
Turn left onto South Anaheim Boulevard
Turn left onto West Lincoln Avenue
Turn left
Merge onto I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
Take the exit
Turn left onto Parker Road
Turn left onto Castaic Oak Lane
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
33 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.
A short stop after about 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 32.9 miles from Anaheim, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.6 and 65.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 / Santa Ana Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Take the exit toward Parker Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto Castaic Oak Lane
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$15.12 one way
$30.25 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $15.58 | $31.17 |
| premium | $6.18 | $16.00 | $32.00 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.53 | $29.06 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$15
Estimated CO2 emission: 23 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.7 | 0 | $6.91 | $3.16 |
| Efficient EV | 16.5 | 0 | $5.76 | $2.63 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 26.3 | 0 | $9.21 | $4.21 |
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Anaheim on Tuesday
Local time
2:16 AM
PDT
Current temp
74°F
Partly Sunny
Destination
Late night in Castaic on Tuesday
Local time
2:16 AM
PDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
46°F
Burbank, CA
33 mi in
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a focused interstate experience, as 97% of this drive is spent on highways. You will primarily navigate the Golden State Freeway, Santa Ana Freeway, and I-5 Truck routes as you transition from the urban sprawl of Anaheim toward the northern reaches of Castaic. The longest uninterrupted section is a 27.7-mile stretch on the Golden State Freeway, which sets the pace for the majority of your time behind the wheel. Because this is a highway-focused drive, the environment remains consistent and fast-moving. It is a functional, high-speed transit that prioritizes utility over winding, technical backroads.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Golden State Freeway and Santa Ana Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.6 miles in near I 5 / Santa Ana Freeway.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 65.8 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 4.6 miles (I 5 / Santa Ana Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.6 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.3 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 19m. Total distance: 65.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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