Origin
Anaheim, CA
Morning in Anaheim on Tuesday
Local time
6:50 AM
PDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Anaheim, CA to Santa Paula, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 53m
Distance
90.7 mi
146 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 46m
★
6 AM
1h 54m
8 AM
2h 10m
10 AM
2h 0m
12 PM
1h 58m
3 PM
2h 0m
5 PM
2h 10m
8 PM
1h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Santa Paula, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Anaheim to Santa Paula is 90.7 miles and takes about 1h 53m via the Golden State Freeway, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route travels within California's Pacific Coast region, moving from the greater Los Angeles area north. Most of the drive stays on major freeways, making it a straightforward trip. Given its relatively short duration, it’s a good option for a day trip or a quick hop to a different part of Southern California.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
45.3 miles from Anaheim, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Golden State Freeway | 27.7 mi | 32m |
| Santa Ana Freeway | 21.3 mi | 24m |
| East Telegraph Road | 12.7 mi | 16m |
| I 5 Truck | 11.4 mi | 12m |
| West Telegraph Road | 6.3 mi | 8m |
| Henry Mayo Drive | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| Ventura Street | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| Korean War Veterans' Memorial Highway | 1.6 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Golden State Freeway
— 27.7 mi, about 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anaheim, CA and Santa Paula, CA.
1
Start on this road
200 ft
·
16 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto South Anaheim Boulevard
422 ft
·
21 sec
·
South Anaheim Boulevard
3
Turn left onto West Lincoln Avenue
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Lincoln Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Toward I 5 North: Los Angeles
5
Merge onto I 5
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
25 mi
·
29 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 5 Truck
Exit 161A
Toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
9.9 mi
·
11 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit onto CA 126
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
CA 126
Exit 172
Toward CA 126 West: Newhall Ranch Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on CA 126
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Korean War Veterans' Memorial Highway
Use the left lane.
13
Turn straight onto CA 126
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Henry Mayo Drive
14
Continue on CA 126
13 mi
·
16 min
·
East Telegraph Road
15
Continue on CA 126
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Ventura Street
16
Continue on CA 126
6.3 mi
·
8 min
·
West Telegraph Road
17
Continue on CA 126
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Santa Paula Freeway
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 12
Toward CA 150: Tenth Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right onto CA 150
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
·
South 10th Street
20
Turn right onto East Main Street
231 ft
·
7 sec
·
East Main Street
21
Arrive at destination
East Main Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable drive of under two hours, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Anaheim in the morning, perhaps after the peak rush hour, will help you avoid heavier traffic on the Golden State Freeway. There are no specific stops recommended on this route, so you can decide on the fly if you need to refuel or take a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $21, and it's always best to top up before you're running low, especially if you plan any detours.
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 45.3 miles from Anaheim, CA, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.7 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 20 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.3 miles or 55m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Santa Paula, 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 90.7 miles and 1h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Anaheim, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Golden State Freeway for about 27.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
45 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 45.3 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 4.6 and 90.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
4.6 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
I 5 / Santa Ana Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 / Santa Ana Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
22.6 mi into trip
|
~28m in
|
I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
50.3 mi into trip
|
~1h in
|
I 5 Truck
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 161A
Toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
7
61.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 13m in
|
CA 126
Take the exit onto CA 126 toward CA 126 West: Newhall Ranch Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 172
Toward CA 126 West: Newhall Ranch Road
7
90.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m in
Take the exit toward CA 150: Tenth Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 12
Toward CA 150: Tenth Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.85 one way
$41.69 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
32 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $21.48 | $42.96 |
| premium | $6.18 | $22.06 | $44.11 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.03 | $40.05 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 27.2 | 0 | $9.52 | $4.35 |
| Efficient EV | 22.7 | 0 | $7.94 | $3.63 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 36.3 | 0 | $12.70 | $5.80 |
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Destination
Santa Paula, CA
Morning in Santa Paula on Tuesday
Local time
6:50 AM
PDT
Current temp
66°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
11 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 53m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 68% of the 90.7 miles on freeways. You'll encounter a stretch of 27.7 miles on the Golden State Freeway before transitioning to other main roads like the Santa Ana Freeway and East Telegraph Road. Expect to navigate urban merging and dense exits during the initial freeway portions of the trip before potentially experiencing more suburban or rural cruising as you approach your destination.
68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 27.7 mi on Golden State Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 90.7 miles you will encounter 13 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.
About the Cities
Starting in Anaheim, CA
Full guide →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
- • 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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 53m. Total distance: 90.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (68%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 27.7 miles on Golden State 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 Santa Paula, 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 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Santa Paula, CA before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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