This 367.8-mile drive from Discovery Bay, CA to Anaheim, CA is designed for a single day, taking approximately 6 hours and 57 minutes to complete. Primarily utilizing highways like the Westside Freeway and I-5 Truck, this route is a 96% highway-focused experience, making it a straightforward journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $85, it's an efficient option for traversing California. You'll be covering a significant distance, with the longest stretch being 224.4 miles, so be prepared for sustained driving. This trip is ideal for those who prefer getting to their destination efficiently, as it offers a direct path through the state.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
183.9 miles from Discovery Bay, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
224.4 mi
4h
I 5 Truck
83.3 mi
1h 36m
Santa Ana Freeway
20.7 mi
24m
William Elton Brown Freeway
14 mi
15m
Byron Highway
6.7 mi
10m
Golden State Freeway
5.3 mi
6m
Mountain House Parkway
3.4 mi
6m
CA 4
2.1 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 224.4 mi, about 4h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Discovery Bay, CA and Anaheim, CA.
1
Start on this road
57 ft·9 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto Discovery Bay Boulevard
1.3 mi·3 min·Discovery Bay Boulevard
3
At end of road, turn right onto CA 4
1.1 mi·1 min·CA 4
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on CA 4
1.1 mi·1 min·CA 4
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Turn left onto J4
6.7 mi·10 min·Byron Highway
6
Continue on J4
1.5 mi·2 min·Byron-Bethany Road
7
Continue on J4
1.8 mi·2 min·Byron Road
8
Turn right onto Mountain House Parkway
2.7 mi·4 min·Mountain House Parkway
Use the slight left lane.
9
Continue on International Parkway
1.0 mi·1 min·International Parkway
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on Mountain House Parkway
0.8 mi·1 min·Mountain House Parkway
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
12
Merge onto I 580
8.1 mi·8 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
5.9 mi·6 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
14
Merge onto I 5
224 mi·4 hr·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
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.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
25 mi·29 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
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.
20
Merge onto I 5
21 mi·24 min·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.5 mi·33 sec
Exit 111Toward Lincoln AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn left onto West Lincoln Avenue
1.3 mi·3 min·West Lincoln Avenue
Use the left lane.
23
Turn right onto South Anaheim Boulevard
370 ft·14 sec·South Anaheim Boulevard
24
Turn right
200 ft·14 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour and 57-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Discovery Bay to bypass potential traffic, especially as you approach the Los Angeles area. With a fuel cost around $85 and only one recommended stop, planning your breaks strategically is key. Focus on arriving at a well-chosen rest area or service plaza during your longest stretch of 224.4 miles on the Westside Freeway. Given it's a single-day trip, flexibility is on your side, but a pre-planned fuel stop can prevent any last-minute worries.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 183.9 miles from Discovery Bay, CA, or about 3h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 224.4 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 81 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 183.9 miles or 3h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 44m
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 Discovery Bay, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Discovery Bay, CA
This is one driving day of about 367.8 miles and 6h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from Discovery Bay, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 224.4 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 1.3 and 366 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.3 mi into trip|~3m in|CA 4
At end of road, turn right onto CA 4
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
13.5 mi into trip|~21m in|Mountain House Parkway
Turn right onto Mountain House Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
8
319 mi into trip|~5h 57m 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
344 mi into trip|~6h 26m 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
366 mi into trip|~6h 52m 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
$84.54 one way
$169.07 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg129 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$87.11
$174.23
premium
$6.18
$89.44
$178.89
diesel
$5.61
$81.21
$162.41
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$85
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$110–$135
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 128.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
110.3
1
$38.62
$17.65
Efficient EV
92
1
$32.18
$14.71
EV Truck/SUV
147.1
1
$51.49
$23.54
Gas CO2
129 kg
EV CO2
43 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Discovery Bay, CA
Morning
in Discovery Bay on Tuesday
Local time
9:53 AM
PDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Destination
Anaheim, CA
Morning
in Anaheim on Tuesday
Local time
9:53 AM
PDT
Current temp
74°F
Partly Sunny
SW 0 to 10 mph0% chanceLive 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.
Road read
6h 57m on the road
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
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 317.1
On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two s...
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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 253.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for nearly the entire 367.8 miles, with a 96% highway share. The journey involves major arteries such as the Westside Freeway and the Santa Ana Freeway, designed for steady progress. You'll encounter one significant stretch of 224.4 miles on the Westside Freeway, which means extended periods of consistent speed. This route's personality is one of efficient travel, prioritizing getting you from the Pacific Coast region of Discovery Bay to the Pacific Coast region of Anaheim with minimal detours.
96% 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: 224.4 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 1.3 miles in near CA 4.
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 18 significant decision points across 367.8 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 1.3 miles (CA 4): Lane positioning matters here; at 13.5 miles (Mountain House Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 319 miles (I 5 Truck): 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.
On the drive from Discovery Bay, CA to Anaheim, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Santa Ana along the way.
Brentwood is an affluent, suburban city in eastern Contra Costa County, California with a popular downtown for visitors coming from the Sacramento Valley to the county. It serves as one of the eastern gateways to the East Bay, along with Livermore. Many in the city are commuters.
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 6h 57m. Total distance: 367.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 57m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 224.4 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.3 miles (CA 4): Lane positioning matters here; at 13.5 miles (Mountain House Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 319 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial 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 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 13.9 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.
