Hidden Valley Lake to Anaheim is 473.8 miles and takes about 9h 6m via Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, and CA 29, with a fuel budget near $107 and best split over two days. This drive spans the Pacific Coast region, starting in Northern California and heading south towards Southern California. Given the mostly highway profile and the 9-hour estimated drive time, planning for an overnight stop is advisable to avoid an excessively long day behind the wheel. The route offers a straightforward path for those looking to connect these two California locations.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
236.9 miles from Hidden Valley Lake, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
224.4 mi
4h
I 5 Truck
83.3 mi
1h 36m
CA 29
22.8 mi
33m
Saint Helena Highway South
21.7 mi
25m
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
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 224.4 mi, about 4h
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 177 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,402 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,136
Quietest
2 AM
~463 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 44 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 Hidden Valley Lake, CA and Anaheim, CA.
1
Start on Deer Hill Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Deer Hill Road
2
At end of road, turn right onto Hidden Valley Road
0.8 mi·3 min·Hidden Valley Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto CA 29
1.2 mi·1 min·CA 29
Use the straight lane.
4
Enter roundabout onto CA 29
48 ft·0 sec·CA 29
5
Continue on CA 29
22 mi·32 min·CA 29
6
Turn left onto CA 29; CA 128
6.8 mi·7 min·Saint Helena Highway
7
Continue on CA 29; CA 128
2.4 mi·2 min·Main Street
8
Continue on CA 29; CA 128
22 mi·25 min·Saint Helena Highway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on CA 12; CA 29
1.3 mi·1 min·Napa–Vallejo Highway
10
Continue on CA 29
4.0 mi·4 min·Broadway Street
11
Continue on CA 29
1.8 mi·2 min·Sonoma Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on CA 29
1.1 mi·1 min·Sonoma Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn left onto Redwood Street
0.3 mi·44 sec·Redwood Street
Use the left / uturn lanes.
14
Turn right onto US 40 Hist
1.1 mi·1 min·Broadway Street
15
Turn slight left onto US 40 Hist
0.7 mi·1 min·Alameda Street
16
Turn left onto Curtola Parkway
7.1 mi·9 min·Curtola Parkway
Use the straight lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 780
0.7 mi·46 sec·I 780
Exit 7BToward I 680 South: Martinez, San Jose
18
Continue on I 680
8.0 mi·9 min·Benicia-Martinez Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
4.8 mi·5 min·Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 680
1.4 mi·1 min·Donald D Doyle Highway
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
13 mi·15 min·Donald D Doyle Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 30AToward I 580 East: Livermore, StocktonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 580 East: Livermore, StocktonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 580: StocktonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Merge onto I 580
1.4 mi·1 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
18 mi·20 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
11 mi·11 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
5.9 mi·6 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
29
Merge onto I 5
224 mi·4 hr·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
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.
33
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
25 mi·29 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
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.
35
Merge onto I 5
21 mi·24 min·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Take the exit
0.5 mi·33 sec
Exit 111Toward Lincoln AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Turn left onto West Lincoln Avenue
1.3 mi·3 min·West Lincoln Avenue
Use the left lane.
38
Turn right onto South Anaheim Boulevard
370 ft·14 sec·South Anaheim Boulevard
39
Turn right
200 ft·14 sec
40
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a drive time of over 9 hours, breaking this trip into two days is highly recommended. Aim to depart early on your first day to cover a substantial portion, perhaps around 4-5 hours of driving. Plan your overnight stop strategically, looking for a town with ample services roughly halfway. The longest stretch on the Westside Freeway is over 200 miles, so ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on that segment. The estimated fuel cost of $107 is a good baseline for budgeting, but always factor in potential price fluctuations.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 236.9 miles from Hidden Valley Lake, CA, or about 4h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 224.4 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 104 miles or 2h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 236.9 miles or 4h 40m 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 236.9 miles or 4h 40m
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 7h 53m
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 Hidden Valley 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 Hidden Valley Lake, CA
Aim for roughly 237 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Anaheim, CA
Aim for roughly 237 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 104 miles from Hidden Valley Lake, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks 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 28
5 decision points cluster between mile 72.4 and 450 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
72.4 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|I 780
Keep slight left at fork onto I 780 toward I 680 South: Martinez, San Jose
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 7B
Toward I 680 South: Martinez, San Jose
8
100.7 mi into trip|~2h 11m in
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 30A
Toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
8
101 mi into trip|~2h 12m in
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
8
425 mi into trip|~8h 6m 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
450 mi into trip|~8h 36m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$99.12 one way
$198.25 round trip
$5.31/gal25.4 MPG avg166 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$102.95
$205.90
premium
$5.67
$105.67
$211.34
diesel
$4.80
$89.46
$178.92
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$99
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$229–$339
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 165.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $50 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
142.1
1
$49.75
$22.74
Efficient EV
118.5
1
$41.46
$18.95
EV Truck/SUV
189.5
2
$66.33
$30.32
Gas CO2
166 kg
EV CO2
55 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 Jul 16, 2026
Origin
Hidden Valley Lake, CA
Late night
in Hidden Valley Lake on Sunday
Local time
1:15 AM
PDT
Current temp
95°F
Sunny
WSW 6 to 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 4:05PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 16 at 1:29PM PDT until July 16 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Destination
Anaheim, CA
Late night
in Anaheim on Sunday
Local time
1:15 AM
PDT
Current temp
88°F
Sunny
SW 10 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 4:05PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 16 at 1:29PM PDT until July 16 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
65°F
Martinez, CA
237 mi in
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
7 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
9h 6m 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.
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 81.7
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of American civilians on the WWII home front. Discover how diverse communities lived, worked, and interacted. Many faces, many stories, many truths...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
Free
near mile 65.4
Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park celebrates America’s maritime heritage on the Pacific Coast. Our 50-acre park has grown around Aquatic Park Cove, a protected area...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 65.4
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 424.8
Walk among old growth coast redwoods, cooling their roots in the fresh water of Redwood Creek and lifting their crowns to reach the sun and fog. Federally protected as a National Monument since 1908,...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
$15
near mile 65.4
Experience a park so rich it supports 19 distinct ecosystems with over 2,000 plant and animal species. Go for a hike, enjoy a vista, have a picnic or learn about the centuries of overlapping history f...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 65.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is predominantly highway driving, with 85% of the route on major roads. You'll encounter a long stretch of 224.4 miles on the Westside Freeway, which is the longest continuous segment. Expect to transition from the highway to surface roads at some point, though the data doesn't specify exactly where. The sheer amount of highway miles suggests a consistent cruising speed for most of the drive.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 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 72.4 miles in near I 780.
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 28 significant decision points across 473.8 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 72.4 miles (I 780): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 101 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,795 ft158 ft
Total Climb
3,010 ft
Total Descent
4,029 ft
Highest Point
2,795 ft
~372.3 mi in
Elevation Range
2,637 ft
Notable High Points
2,795 ft at ~372.3 miles+1,271 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hidden Valley Lake, CA and Anaheim, CA, road signs point toward San Jose, Stockton and Santa Ana.
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 224.4 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 237 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 36 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 36 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 72.4 miles (I 780): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 101 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.1 hours each way, a round trip means 18.2 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.
