Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 21m
Distance
175.6 mi
283 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Earlimart, CA
Harrison Haines
Anaheim to Earlimart is 175.6 miles and takes about 3h 21m via the Golden State Freeway, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This direct drive stays within California's Pacific Coast region, offering a straightforward journey north. Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of the trip. It's a solid option if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently, with minimal fuss. This is a trip best suited for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
87.8 miles from Anaheim, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Golden State Freeway | 83.3 mi | 1h 34m |
| I 5 Truck | 37.7 mi | 43m |
| Golden State Highway | 31.1 mi | 33m |
| Santa Ana Freeway | 21.3 mi | 24m |
| West Lincoln Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
| South Front Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Armstrong Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South Anaheim Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Anaheim, CA and Earlimart, 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
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
Continue on CA 99
Take the exit
Turn left onto Armstrong Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto South Front Street
Turn right onto East Washington Avenue
Arrive at destination
With a duration of just over 3 hours, this is a comfortable same-day trip, so you have flexibility with your departure time. Consider leaving early to avoid any potential traffic, especially as you begin on the Golden State Freeway. The longest stretch without a significant break is over 83 miles, so plan for a fuel stop before you hit that point if your tank is low. Given the relatively short distance and focused highway profile, you might only need one planned stop for a quick break or to refuel.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 39 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.8 miles or 1h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Earlimart, CA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Anaheim, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Anaheim, CA
This is one driving day of about 175.6 miles and 3h 21m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
88 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 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 87.8 miles from Anaheim, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Golden State Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 83.3 miles.
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 174.7 — 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 left 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 Avenue 48
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$40.36 one way
$80.72 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $41.59 | $83.18 |
| premium | $6.18 | $42.70 | $85.41 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.77 | $77.54 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.7 | 0 | $18.44 | $8.43 |
| Efficient EV | 43.9 | 0 | $15.36 | $7.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 70.2 | 0 | $24.58 | $11.24 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Anaheim on Tuesday
Local time
1:47 AM
PDT
Current temp
55°F
Mostly Clear
Destination
Late night in Earlimart on Tuesday
Local time
1:47 AM
PDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
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
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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This route is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 81% of the journey on major freeways. You'll spend a good amount of time on the Golden State Freeway, including an uninterrupted stretch of 83.3 miles. The main roads you'll encounter include the Golden State Freeway, I 5 Truck, and Golden State Highway, indicating a predominantly high-speed travel experience. While the profile suggests minimal deviation from the main thoroughfares, the consistent highway travel makes for a predictable driving rhythm.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Golden State 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 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 is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 175.6 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 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 48 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 3h 21m. Total distance: 175.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). 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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