Anaheim to Piñon Hills is 71.2 miles and takes about 1 hour 30 minutes via Ontario Freeway, Pomona Freeway, and CA 138, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you from the Pacific Coast region further into California's interior. It's a straightforward trip that's mostly highway, making it a convenient option if you're looking for a quick journey without many detours. Consider this route for a simple, direct connection between two points within the same state, ideal for a single-day excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.6 miles from Anaheim, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ontario Freeway
17.1 mi
19m
Pomona Freeway
16.5 mi
19m
CA 138
14.3 mi
19m
Orange Freeway
10.7 mi
12m
Barstow and Mojave Freeway
6.8 mi
7m
East Lincoln Avenue
1.5 mi
2m
North State College Boulevard
0.8 mi
1m
South Placentia Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Ontario Freeway
— 17.1 mi, about 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anaheim, CA and Piñon Hills, 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
1.5 mi·2 min·East Lincoln Avenue
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left onto North State College Boulevard
0.8 mi·1 min·North State College Boulevard
Use the left / uturn lanes.
5
Turn right onto South Placentia Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·South Placentia Avenue
6
Turn right onto West Orangethorpe Avenue
0.4 mi·44 sec·West Orangethorpe Avenue
Use the right lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward CA 57 North: PomonaUse the left lane.
8
Merge onto CA 57
5.9 mi·6 min·Orange Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 57
2.2 mi·2 min·Orange Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 57
2.6 mi·3 min·Orange Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto CA 60; CA 57
16 mi·19 min·Pomona Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 41Toward I 15 North, I 15 South: Barstow, San DiegoUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 15 North: Barstow
14
Merge onto I 15
17 mi·19 min·Ontario Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 15
6.8 mi·7 min·Barstow and Mojave Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 131Toward CA 138: Palmdale, Silverwood LakeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn left onto CA 138
14 mi·19 min·CA 138
18
Turn sharp left onto Mountain Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Mountain Road
Use the left lane.
19
Turn left onto Cholla Road
82 ft·3 sec·Cholla Road
20
Arrive at destination
Cholla Road
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour 30 minutes, this trip is easily completed in a single day, offering flexibility for your departure time. You won't need to plan for extensive stops, but it's always wise to keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you get closer to Piñon Hills. The fuel cost is estimated at $16, so ensure you start with a full tank. A specific tip for this route is to be aware of the transition from the more urban freeways to CA 138, as the road character can change slightly.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 35.6 miles from Anaheim, CA, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 17.1 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 16 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.6 miles or 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Piñon Hills, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Anaheim, CA
This is one driving day of about 71.2 miles and 1h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Anaheim, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Ontario Freeway for about 17.1 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.5 and 70.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
3.5 mi into trip|~7m in
Take the ramp toward CA 57 North: Pomona
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward CA 57 North: Pomona
6
9.6 mi into trip|~14m in|CA 57 / Orange Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 57 / Orange Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
30.9 mi into trip|~39m in
Take the exit toward I 15 North, I 15 South: Barstow, San Diego
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 41
Toward I 15 North, I 15 South: Barstow, San Die...
8
55.9 mi into trip|~1h 7m in
Take the exit toward CA 138: Palmdale, Silverwood Lake
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 131
Toward CA 138: Palmdale, Silverwood Lake
7
70.5 mi into trip|~1h 28m in|Mountain Road
Turn sharp left onto Mountain Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.36 one way
$32.73 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$16.86
$33.73
premium
$6.18
$17.32
$34.63
diesel
$5.61
$15.72
$31.44
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.4
0
$7.48
$3.42
Efficient EV
17.8
0
$6.23
$2.85
EV Truck/SUV
28.5
0
$9.97
$4.56
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Anaheim, CA
Afternoon
in Anaheim on Sunday
Local time
3:34 PM
PDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Piñon Hills, CA
Afternoon
in Piñon Hills on Sunday
Local time
3:34 PM
PDT
Current temp
67°F
Partly Sunny
NW 15 to 20 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 10:43AM PDT until April 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 10:32AM PDT until April 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
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
12 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 30m on the road
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 92% of the journey on freeways. You'll spend most of your time on the Ontario Freeway, Pomona Freeway, and CA 138. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 17.1 miles on the Ontario Freeway, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of the trip. Expect a driving experience characterized by efficiency and steady progress, as the route prioritizes direct travel over winding scenic byways.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 17.1 mi on Ontario Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Ontario Freeway and Pomona Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.5 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 71.2 miles you will encounter 17 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 3.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 9.6 miles (CA 57 / Orange Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 30.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Piñon Hills, CA, road signs point toward San Diego and Silverwood Lake.
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 1h 30m. Total distance: 71.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 17.1 miles on Ontario Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Piñon Hills, CA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 9.6 miles (CA 57 / Orange Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 30.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Piñon Hills, CA before heading back.
