Anaheim to Holtville is 204.2 miles and takes about 4 hours via CA 86, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within California's Pacific Coast region, offering a straightforward drive through varied terrain. It's a practical route for getting from the Los Angeles area to the Imperial Valley, mostly sticking to major freeways before transitioning to a state highway. Expect a generally flat landscape as you head east. This is a good option if you're looking for a direct way to cover ground without needing an overnight stop.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
102.1 miles from Anaheim, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
CA 86
66.6 mi
1h 17m
Riverside Freeway
33.9 mi
39m
Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
32.5 mi
34m
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
18.2 mi
19m
Moreno Valley Freeway
16.2 mi
20m
Ben Hulse Highway
15.1 mi
17m
East Evan Hewes Highway
6.6 mi
9m
Escondido Freeway
4.4 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
CA 86
— 66.6 mi, about 1h 17m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 31 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~3,632 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,963
Quietest
1 AM
~630 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 63 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anaheim, CA and Holtville, CA.
1
Start on this road
200 ft·16 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto South Anaheim Boulevard
422 ft·23 sec·South Anaheim Boulevard
3
Turn right onto East Lincoln Avenue
2.3 mi·4 min·East Lincoln Avenue
Use the right lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward CA 57 North: PomonaUse the right lane.
5
Merge onto CA 57
0.4 mi·30 sec·Orange Freeway
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·35 sec
Exit 5AToward CA 91 East: Riverside Freeway, RiversideUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto CA 91
2.6 mi·3 min·Riverside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 91
31 mi·36 min·Riverside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 65BToward I 215 South, CA 60 East: San Diego, IndioUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto CA 60
0.3 mi·22 sec·Pomona Freeway
11
Continue on I 215; CA 60
3.9 mi·4 min·Escondido Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 215; CA 60
0.4 mi·30 sec·Escondido Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 60
16 mi·19 min·Moreno Valley Freeway
Exit 29Toward CA 60 East: IndioUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on CA 60
2.0 mi·2 min·Moreno Valley Expressway
15
Continue on CA 60
0.6 mi·42 sec·Moreno Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 10
18 mi·19 min·Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
32 mi·34 min·Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 86
67 mi·1 hr 17 min·CA 86
Toward CA 86 South: CA 86 South, Brawley, El CentroUse the straight lane.
19
Turn left onto CA 78
3.7 mi·4 min·Brawley Bypass
Use the left / straight lanes.
20
Continue on CA 78; CA 111
15 mi·17 min·Ben Hulse Highway
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn left onto CR S80; US 80 Hist
6.6 mi·9 min·East Evan Hewes Highway
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on CA 115; US 80 Hist
0.4 mi·39 sec·Palm Avenue
23
Turn right onto CA 115; US 80 Hist
0.2 mi·24 sec·West 5th Street
24
Turn left onto S32
73 ft·2 sec·Holt Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
S32
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour drive, leaving Anaheim in the morning will give you ample time to reach Holtville before evening. The longest stretch without a major break is 66.6 miles on CA 86, so plan your fuel stops accordingly. Given the relatively short duration and manageable distance, you have flexibility in pacing. Consider a brief stop for a stretch and to refuel before you begin the 66.6-mile segment on CA 86. The estimated fuel cost is around $45, so keep that in mind for your budget.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 102.1 miles from Anaheim, CA, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.6 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 45 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.1 miles or 1h 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Holtville, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 204.2 miles and 4h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Anaheim, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on CA 86 for about 66.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 111.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
3.1 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the exit toward CA 91 East: Riverside Freeway, Riverside
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 5A
Toward CA 91 East: Riverside Freeway, Riverside
6
6.1 mi into trip|~10m in|CA 91 / Riverside Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 91 / Riverside Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
37.4 mi into trip|~46m in
Take the exit toward I 215 South, CA 60 East: San Diego, Indio
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 65B
Toward I 215 South, CA 60 East: San Diego, Indi...
8
42.7 mi into trip|~52m in|CA 60 / Moreno Valley Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 60 / Moreno Valley Freeway toward CA 60 East: Indio
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 29
Toward CA 60 East: Indio
8
111.6 mi into trip|~2h 9m in|CA 86
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 86 toward CA 86 South: CA 86 South, Brawley, El Centro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward CA 86 South: CA 86 South, Brawley, El Ce...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.40 one way
$98.80 round trip
$6.15/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.34
$50.96
$101.92
premium
$6.50
$52.22
$104.45
diesel
$6.28
$50.46
$100.91
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.3
0
$21.44
$9.80
Efficient EV
51.1
0
$17.87
$8.17
EV Truck/SUV
81.7
1
$28.59
$13.07
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Anaheim, CA
Late night
in Anaheim on Thursday
Local time
5:17 AM
PDT
Current temp
85°F
Patchy Fog then Sunny
S 0 to 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Holtville, CA
Late night
in Holtville on Thursday
Local time
5:17 AM
PDT
Current temp
81°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.
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
4 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
4h on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Joshua Tree National Park
National Park
Two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, come together in Joshua Tree National Park. A fascinating variety of plants and animals make their homes in a land sculpted by strong winds...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
$30
near mile 112.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 77% of the 204.2 miles on freeways. You'll encounter a long stretch of 66.6 miles on CA 86. The profile is largely highway, suggesting a consistent cruising experience for much of the way. Expect transitions from freeway driving to state highway cruising, with varying levels of traffic and exit density.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66.6 mi on CA 86.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CA 86 and Riverside Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 204.2 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 3.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.1 miles (CA 91 / Riverside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,324 ft-167 ft
Total Climb
2,408 ft
Total Descent
2,576 ft
Highest Point
2,324 ft
~58.3 mi in
Elevation Range
2,491 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Anaheim, CA and Holtville, CA, road signs point toward Indio, Brawley and El Centro.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h. Total distance: 204.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 66.6 miles on CA 86. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Holtville, 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.1 miles (CA 91 / Riverside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Joshua Tree National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Holtville, CA, but most travelers stay overnight.
