Traveling from Apple Valley to Anaheim is a straightforward 83-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 41 minutes. Because this is a highway-focused drive, you can easily complete the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will navigate primarily via the Barstow and Mojave Freeway, I-15, and the Pomona Freeway to reach your destination in the Pacific Coast region. Budgeting approximately $19 for fuel should keep you covered for the transit. This route functions best as a direct connection between the high desert and the coast, making it a highly practical option for travelers prioritizing efficiency over scenic detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.5 miles from Apple Valley, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Barstow and Mojave Freeway
18.5 mi
19m
I 15
17.7 mi
19m
Pomona Freeway
16.4 mi
18m
Orange Freeway
12.3 mi
14m
CHP Officer Larry L. Wetterling and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Lieutenant Alfred E. Stewart Memorial Highway
5.6 mi
6m
Yucca Loma Road
4 mi
6m
Green Tree Boulevard
2.9 mi
4m
East Lincoln Avenue
2.1 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Barstow and Mojave Freeway
— 18.5 mi, about 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Apple Valley, CA and Anaheim, CA.
1
Start on Outer Hwy 18 North
29 ft·5 sec·Outer Hwy 18 North
2
Turn left onto CA 18
0.3 mi·32 sec·Happy Trails Highway
3
Turn left onto Navajo Road
96 ft·4 sec·Navajo Road
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto Yucca Loma Road
4.0 mi·6 min·Yucca Loma Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on Yates Road
1.3 mi·1 min·Yates Road
6
Continue on Green Tree Boulevard
2.9 mi·4 min·Green Tree Boulevard
7
Turn left onto I 15 BUS; US 66 Hist
470 ft·12 sec·7th Street
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on I 15 BUS; US 66 Hist
0.1 mi·12 sec·Palmdale Road
9
Take the exit onto I 15 BUS; US 66 Hist
0.3 mi·41 sec·I 15 BUS; US 66 Hist
Toward San Bernardino
10
Merge onto I 15; US 66 Hist
12 mi·13 min·Barstow and Mojave Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 15; US 66 Hist; US 91 Hist; US 395 Hist
5.6 mi·6 min·CHP Officer Larry L. Wetterling and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Lieutenant Alfred E. Stewart Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 15; US 66 Hist
6.3 mi·6 min·Barstow and Mojave Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit onto I 15
18 mi·19 min·I 15
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 106A; 106BToward CA 60 West, CA 60 East: Riverside, Los AngelesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward CA 60 West: Los AngelesUse the slight left lane.
16
Merge onto CA 60
16 mi·18 min·Pomona Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 57
405 ft·5 sec·Orange Freeway
Toward CA 57 South, CA 60 Alt West: Santa Ana, Brea Canyon RoadUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 57
0.8 mi·56 sec·Orange Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 57
1.5 mi·1 min·Orange Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 57
9.9 mi·11 min·Orange Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 4Toward Lincoln AvenueUse the slight right lane.
22
Turn right onto East Lincoln Avenue
2.1 mi·4 min·East Lincoln Avenue
Use the right lane.
23
Turn left onto South Anaheim Boulevard
470 ft·25 sec·South Anaheim Boulevard
Use the left lane.
24
Turn right
200 ft·14 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule, but avoiding peak commuter hours is always a smart move. Because the entire 83-mile drive can be completed in under two hours, you likely won't need to plan for scheduled stops unless you prefer a quick break. Keep in mind that the majority of your travel occurs on high-traffic freeways, so checking real-time conditions before you pull out of Apple Valley is essential. With $19 in fuel costs, it is wise to fill up before you leave the high desert to ensure you aren't paying premium prices closer to the coast. Since there are no mandatory stops listed, you can adjust your departure time to suit your personal preferences without worrying about a lengthy itinerary.
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 41.5 miles from Apple Valley, CA, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 18.5 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 18 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.5 miles or 50m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Anaheim, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Apple Valley, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Apple Valley, CA
This is one driving day of about 83 miles and 1h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Apple Valley, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Barstow and Mojave Freeway for about 18.5 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 0.3 and 80.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|Navajo Road
Turn left onto Navajo Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
50.8 mi into trip|~1h in
Take the exit toward CA 60 West, CA 60 East: Riverside, Los Angeles
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 106A; 106B
Toward CA 60 West, CA 60 East: Riverside, Los A...
7
50.9 mi into trip|~1h 1m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CA 60 West: Los Angeles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward CA 60 West: Los Angeles
8
68 mi into trip|~1h 21m in|CA 57 / Orange Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 57 / Orange Freeway toward CA 57 South, CA 60 Alt West: Santa Ana, Brea Canyon Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward CA 57 South, CA 60 Alt West: Santa Ana,...
7
80.3 mi into trip|~1h 35m in
Take the exit toward Lincoln Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 4
Toward Lincoln Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.08 one way
$38.15 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$19.66
$39.32
premium
$6.18
$20.18
$40.37
diesel
$5.61
$18.33
$36.65
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.9
0
$8.71
$3.98
Efficient EV
20.8
0
$7.26
$3.32
EV Truck/SUV
33.2
0
$11.62
$5.31
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Apple Valley, CA
Late night
in Apple Valley on Tuesday
Local time
5:13 AM
PDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Anaheim, CA
Late night
in Anaheim on Tuesday
Local time
5:13 AM
PDT
Current temp
55°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
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 41m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed experience as you spend 79% of your time on major highways. The road personality is defined by consistent interstate travel, with your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 18.5 miles on the Barstow and Mojave Freeway. You will transition from the inland landscape into the denser infrastructure of the Anaheim area as you shift between major freeway systems. While the drive is largely a functional, fast-paced interstate grind, it offers a reliable and predictable path for those looking to get from point A to point B quickly. Keep your eyes on the road, as the intensity of the freeway traffic increases noticeably as you move toward your coastal destination.
79% 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: 18.5 mi on Barstow and Mojave Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Barstow and Mojave Freeway and I 15. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Navajo Road.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 83 miles you will encounter 18 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 0.3 miles (Navajo Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 50.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Apple Valley, CA and Anaheim, CA, road signs point toward San Bernardino and Los Angeles.
Apple Valley is a city in California's San Bernardino County. The apple orchards of the early 20th century have been replaced by housing developments: streets of ranch and traditional housed along with the mid-20th century modern and usonian architectural designs between Hwy 18 and Bear Valley Road. Urban development began in the mid-2000s bringing big-box retail, chain restaurants and movie theaters.
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 41m. Total distance: 83 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 18.5 miles on Barstow and Mojave 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 Anaheim, 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 0.3 miles (Navajo Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 50.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Anaheim, CA before heading back.
