Anaheim Packing District
Near the end, right off the route
Anaheim, California
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+17145337225
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 22m
Distance
395.5 mi
637 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$91
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Concord, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Embark on a 395.5-mile journey from Concord, CA, to Anaheim, CA, a drive that typically takes about 7 hours and 22 minutes. This route is primarily highway-focused, with a 94% highway share, making it a manageable one-day trip. You'll be navigating major freeways like the Westside Freeway and I-5 Truck, so expect a consistent pace. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $91, and with two planned stops, you can break up the journey effectively. This is a classic Pacific Coast to Pacific Coast transit, predominantly through California.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
197.8 miles from Concord, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 38m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 224.4 mi | 4h |
| I 5 Truck | 83.3 mi | 1h 36m |
| Santa Ana Freeway | 20.7 mi | 24m |
| Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway | 19.2 mi | 22m |
| William Elton Brown Freeway | 17 mi | 18m |
| Donald D Doyle Highway | 14.8 mi | 17m |
| Golden State Freeway | 5.3 mi | 6m |
| Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway | 4.8 mi | 5m |
Step-by-step road directions between Concord, CA and Anaheim, CA.
Start on Willow Pass Road
Turn left onto East Street
Turn left onto Salvio Street
Turn right onto Concord Avenue
Continue on Concord Avenue
Take the ramp
Merge onto CA 242
Merge onto I 680
Continue on I 680
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 580
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
Merge onto I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
Merge onto I 5
Take the exit
Turn left onto West Lincoln Avenue
Turn right onto South Anaheim Boulevard
Turn right
Arrive at destination
For this 7-hour, 22-minute drive, starting early in the morning can help you avoid some of the heavier traffic, especially as you approach Southern California. With a total distance of 395.5 miles, planning for two stops is a good idea to stretch your legs and refuel. The estimated fuel cost is $91, so ensure your tank is full before you set off. Given it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but be mindful of the 224.4-mile longest stretch on the Westside Freeway and plan your mid-drive break accordingly.
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 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 87 miles or 1h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 197.8 miles or 3h 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Anaheim, CA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Concord, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Concord, CA
This is one driving day of about 395.5 miles and 7h 22m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
198 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.
A short stop after about 87 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 197.8 miles from Concord, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 224.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Anaheim, California
Near the end, right off the route
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+17145337225
Near the end, right off the route
Anaheim, California
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+17145337225
Visit websiteNear the end, ~10 min detour
Orange, California
Hours: 11 am–12 pm
+17147873925
Visit websiteNear the end, ~12 min detour
Buena Park, California
+17146901497
Visit websiteNear the end, ~12 min detour
Los Angeles, California
Hours: 9 am–9 pm
+12139082400
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Los Angeles, California
Hours: 8 am–4 pm
+12132639741
Visit websiteNear the end, ~11 min detour
Orange, California
Hours: 7 am–3 pm
+17146029894
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Kettleman City, California
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Stevenson Ranch, California
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Kettleman City, California
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18333872643
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Fullerton, California
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Coalinga, California
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Fullerton, California
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Coalinga, California
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Valencia, California
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18774943833
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Concord, California
Hours: 7:30 am–9:30 pm
+19256713423
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Anaheim, California
Hours: 8 am–12 pm
+17147814636
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Anaheim, California
Hours: 11 am–12 pm
+16572345625
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Anaheim, CA
Hours: 9 am–7:30 pm
+17147814636
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Los Angeles, California
Hours: 10 am–10:30 pm
+13233733101
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Los Angeles, California
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Fullerton, California
Hours: 2:30–11 pm
+16572352578
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Los Angeles, California
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+12134855572
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 371.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto Salvio Street
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 405 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Regular Gas
$90.90 one way
$181.81 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $93.67 | $187.35 |
| premium | $6.18 | $96.18 | $192.36 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $87.32 | $174.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$91
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$116–$141
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 138.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 118.6 | 1 | $41.53 | $18.98 |
| Efficient EV | 98.9 | 1 | $34.61 | $15.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 158.2 | 1 | $55.37 | $25.31 |
Gas CO2
138 kg
EV CO2
46 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Concord on Sunday
Local time
5:06 PM
PDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Anaheim on Sunday
Local time
5:06 PM
PDT
Current temp
74°F
Partly Sunny
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 8:38AM PDT until April 16 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Eureka CA
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 8:38AM PDT until April 16 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Eureka 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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This highway-focused drive, covering 94% on freeways, offers a direct and efficient transit. You'll spend a significant amount of time on major arteries such as the Westside Freeway and the Santa Ana Freeway. The longest uninterrupted stretch measures 224.4 miles, primarily on the Westside Freeway, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. While largely a freeway experience, the transition between these major roads is generally smooth, maintaining a brisk pace for most of the 395.5 miles.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Salvio Street.
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 25 significant decision points across 395.5 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 0.1 miles (Salvio Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 22.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Concord, CA and Anaheim, CA, road signs point toward Stockton and Santa Ana.
Stockton
Santa Ana
Concord is a residential and business city in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area in the state of California.
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 22m. Total distance: 395.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 22m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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