Blue Lake to Anaheim is 701 miles and takes about 13h 3m via Westside Freeway, Trinity Highway, and I 5 Truck, with a fuel budget near $152 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This long-haul drive spans across California, moving from the Pacific Coast region to another part of the Pacific Coast. It's a significant distance, so plan for a full day or consider breaking it up over two days. The route offers a straightforward path for covering a large portion of the state.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
350.5 miles from Blue Lake, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 6h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
424.9 mi
7h 38m
Trinity Highway
130.2 mi
2h 32m
I 5 Truck
83.3 mi
1h 36m
Cascade Wonderland Highway
31.8 mi
34m
Santa Ana Freeway
20.7 mi
24m
Golden State Freeway
5.3 mi
6m
Tehama Street
1.6 mi
2m
West Lincoln Avenue
1.3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 424.9 mi, about 7h 38m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 746 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,928 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,830
Quietest
2 AM
~405 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 96 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 Blue Lake, CA and Anaheim, CA.
1
Start on Blue Lake Boulevard
0.3 mi·39 sec·Blue Lake Boulevard
2
Continue on Blue Lake Boulevard
0.4 mi·1 min·Blue Lake Boulevard
3
Turn right onto CA 299
130 mi·2 hr 32 min·Trinity Highway
4
Turn right onto Court Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·Court Street
5
Turn left onto Tehama Street
1.6 mi·2 min·Tehama Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.6 mi·55 sec
Exit 2AToward I 5 South: SacramentoUse the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 5
32 mi·34 min·Cascade Wonderland Highway
8
Continue on I 5
93 mi·1 hr 39 min·Westside Freeway
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
16 mi·16 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
79 mi·1 hr 27 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi·48 sec·Westside Freeway
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
237 mi·4 hr 13 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
0.3 mi·17 sec·I 5 Truck
Exit 158Toward I 405 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
25 mi·29 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
1.3 mi·1 min·Golden State Freeway
Toward CA 60 East, I 5 South: Pomona, Soto Street, Santa AnaUse the slight left / straight lanes.
18
Merge onto I 5
21 mi·24 min·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi·33 sec
Exit 111Toward Lincoln AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn left onto West Lincoln Avenue
1.3 mi·3 min·West Lincoln Avenue
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right onto South Anaheim Boulevard
370 ft·14 sec·South Anaheim Boulevard
22
Turn right
200 ft·14 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 13-hour duration, this is best treated as a two-day trip to avoid fatigue. Aim to leave early in the morning on your first day to maximize daylight. With 3 planned stops, you can pace yourself comfortably, ensuring you have sufficient time for breaks and refueling. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially before entering longer stretches where services might be less frequent. The estimated fuel cost of $152 is a helpful budget marker.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 350.5 miles from Blue Lake, CA, or about 6h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 424.9 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 154 miles or 3h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 350.5 miles or 6h 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 350.5 miles or 6h 35m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 11h 50m
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 Blue Lake, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Blue Lake, CA
Aim for roughly 351 miles and 6.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Anaheim, CA
Aim for roughly 351 miles and 6.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 154 miles from Blue Lake, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 424.9 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 131 and 699.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
131 mi into trip|~2h 35m in|Tehama Street
Turn left onto Tehama Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
132.6 mi into trip|~2h 38m in
Take the exit toward I 5 South: Sacramento
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 2A
Toward I 5 South: Sacramento
8
652.2 mi into trip|~12h 3m in|I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 405 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 158
Toward I 405 South
8
677.2 mi into trip|~12h 33m in|I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Golden State Freeway toward CA 60 East, I 5 South: Pomona, Soto Street, Santa Ana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward CA 60 East, I 5 South: Pomona, Soto Stre...
7
699.2 mi into trip|~12h 59m in
Take the exit toward Lincoln Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 111
Toward Lincoln Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$171.55 one way
$343.10 round trip
$6.22/gal25.4 MPG avg245 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.40
$176.66
$353.32
premium
$6.57
$181.21
$362.42
diesel
$6.18
$170.53
$341.06
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$172
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$302–$412
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 245.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $74 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
210.3
2
$73.61
$33.65
Efficient EV
175.3
2
$61.34
$28.04
EV Truck/SUV
280.4
3
$98.14
$44.86
Gas CO2
245 kg
EV CO2
82 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Blue Lake, CA
Afternoon
in Blue Lake on Sunday
Local time
1:40 PM
PDT
Current temp
45°F
Patchy Drizzle
WNW 2 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 18 at 12:59AM PDT until October 20 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 17 at 7:32PM PDT until October 20 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Destination
Anaheim, CA
Afternoon
in Anaheim on Sunday
Local time
1:40 PM
PDT
Current temp
67°F
Mostly Clear
NE 0 to 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 18 at 12:59AM PDT until October 20 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 17 at 7:32PM PDT until October 20 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
22 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
13h 3m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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.
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Whiskeytown Lake’s crystal-clear waters are iconic, but this 42,000-acre National Recreation Area offers much more. Explore waterfalls, hike rugged trails, uncover Gold Rush history, and witness the r...
The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultura...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 652.7
Yes, we can! Widely recognized as the most important Latino leader in the United States during the twentieth century, Cesar Chavez led farm workers and supporters in the establishment of the country's...
30 mi from route
~74 min detour
Free
near mile 580.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is primarily highway cruising, with 76% of the 701 miles on main roads like the Westside Freeway, Trinity Highway, and I 5 Truck. You'll experience a longest stretch of 424.9 miles on the Westside Freeway, indicating extended periods of consistent driving. Expect a mix of driving conditions as you transition from the initial highway segments to other road types.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 424.9 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and Trinity Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 131 miles in near Tehama Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 701 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 131 miles (Tehama Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 132.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 652.2 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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
The longest stretch is about 424.9 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 351 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 63 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 Anaheim, 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 3 meaningful breaks. There are 63 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 131 miles (Tehama Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 132.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 652.2 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and César E. Chávez National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 13.1 hours each way, a round trip means 26.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Anaheim, CA before the return drive.
