Trip from King City, CA to Anaheim, CA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 30m

Distance

282.7 mi

455 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$65

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 17m ★

6 AM

5h 30m

8 AM

5h 57m

10 AM

5h 39m

12 PM

5h 37m

3 PM

5h 41m

5 PM

5h 56m

8 PM

5h 22m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city in Monterey County, California, United States

King City, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 282.7-mile drive from King City, CA to Anaheim, CA is a straightforward, highway-focused trip that can comfortably be completed in about 5 hours and 30 minutes. With 68% of the route on highways, it's designed for efficient travel, making it an ideal day trip. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $65. You'll primarily navigate I 5 Truck, Westside Freeway, and El Camino Real. Given its manageable length and direct nature, you can easily tackle this drive in one go, allowing for a full day at your destination. This route connects two points within the Pacific Coast region, offering a consistent California driving experience.

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

141.3 miles from King City, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 46m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 5 Truck	83.3 mi	1h 36m
Westside Freeway	56.8 mi	1h
El Camino Real	48.9 mi	56m
Paso Robles Highway	32.3 mi	38m
CA 46	24.5 mi	28m
Santa Ana Freeway	20.7 mi	24m
Golden State Freeway	5.3 mi	6m
Antelope Road	5.3 mi	6m

Longest stretch: I 5 Truck — 83.3 mi, about 1h 36m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between King City, CA and Anaheim, CA.

Start on South Third Street

106 ft · 7 sec · South Third Street

Turn right onto CR G13; US 101 BUS

0.2 mi · 31 sec · Broadway Street

Turn right

181 ft · 7 sec

Toward US 101 BUS, CR G15: South First Street

Turn straight onto CR G15; US 101 BUS

1.1 mi · 2 min · South First Street

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Toward US 101: US 101 South

Merge onto US 101

49 mi · 56 min · El Camino Real

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec

Toward CA 46 East: Fresno, Bakersfield

Turn left onto CA 46

24 mi · 28 min · CA 46

Use the straight / left lanes.

Merge onto CA 41; CA 46

1.4 mi · 1 min · CA 41; CA 46

Turn slight right

490 ft · 6 sec

Keep slight left at fork onto CA 46

5.3 mi · 6 min · Antelope Road

Continue on CA 46

32 mi · 38 min · Paso Robles Highway

Use the slight left lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 24 sec

Merge onto I 5

57 mi · 1 hr · Westside Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck

58 mi · 1 hr 6 min · I 5 Truck

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

4.1 mi · 4 min · Golden State Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck

0.3 mi · 17 sec · I 5 Truck

Exit 158 Toward I 405 South Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck

25 mi · 29 min · I 5 Truck

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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 Ana Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Merge onto I 5

21 mi · 24 min · Santa Ana Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 33 sec

Exit 111 Toward Lincoln Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn left onto West Lincoln Avenue

1.3 mi · 3 min · West Lincoln Avenue

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto South Anaheim Boulevard

370 ft · 14 sec · South Anaheim Boulevard

Turn right

200 ft · 14 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

This 5-hour and 30-minute drive is well-suited for a single day, so consider an early morning departure from King City to maximize your time in Anaheim. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 83.3 miles, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the longer highway segments, as the $65 fuel cost is an estimate. A practical tip for this route: pay close attention to signage for I 5 Truck as it can diverge, ensuring you stay on the most direct path to Anaheim.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 141.3 miles from King City, CA, or about 2h 46m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.3 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 62 miles or 1h 14m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 141.3 miles or 2h 46m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 27m

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 King City, 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 King City, CA

This is one driving day of about 282.7 miles and 5h 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from King City, 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 I 5 Truck for about 83.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city and county seat of Kern County, California, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bakersfield, CA

141 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Shandon, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bakersfield, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 141.3 miles from King City, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 5 Truck if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 83.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Anaheim Packing District

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Anaheim, California

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 282.7

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17145337225

Visit website

Muchá! Comida Chapina

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

North Hollywood, California

1.7 mi

Anaheim Packing District

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 282.7

Anaheim, California

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17145337225

Visit website

Muchá! Comida Chapina

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 242.3

North Hollywood, California

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+18185034511

Visit website

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $20 to $30 mile 282.7

Orange, California

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+17147873925

Visit website

Third Wheel Tours

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 60.6

Paso Robles, California

Hours: 9 am–6 pm

+18053603993

Visit website

Pirates Dinner Adventure

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $50 to $10 mile 282.7

Buena Park, California

+17146901497

Visit website

Brot Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 282.7

Orange, California

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+17146029894

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 222.1

Valencia, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 222.1

Valencia, California

+16612554100

Visit website

Tobin James Cellars

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 60.6

Paso Robles, California

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+18052392204

Visit website

San Lorenzo County Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

King City, California

Hours: 8 am–6:30 pm

+18317554895

Visit website

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 282.7

Fullerton, California

Hours: 2:30–11 pm

+16572352578

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 20

5 decision points cluster between mile 171.5 and 280.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

171.5 mi into trip | ~3h 18m in | I 5 Truck

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

229.8 mi into trip | ~4h 25m in | I 5 / Golden State Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Golden State Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

233.9 mi into trip | ~4h 29m 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

258.9 mi into trip | ~4h 59m 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...

280.8 mi into trip | ~5h 25m 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

$64.98 one way

$129.95 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 99 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$6.02	$66.96	$133.92
premium	$6.18	$68.75	$137.50
diesel	$5.61	$62.42	$124.83

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$65

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$90–$115

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 98.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	84.8	1	$29.68	$13.57
Efficient EV	70.7	0	$24.74	$11.31
EV Truck/SUV	113.1	1	$39.58	$18.09

Gas CO2

99 kg

EV CO2

33 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

King City, CA

Morning in King City on Sunday

Local time

11:44 AM

PDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Anaheim, CA

Morning in Anaheim on Sunday

Local time

11:44 AM

PDT

Current temp

73°F

Partly Sunny

SW 10 mph 0% chance 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

26 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

5h 30m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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.

Pinnacles National Park

National Park

Around 23 million years ago, a series of volcanic eruptions shaped the landscape that is now Pinnacles National Park. The remnants of these ancient eruptions have formed a striking terrain of rocky sp...

19 mi from route ~49 min detour $30

View on nps.gov

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 233.9

View on nps.gov

César E. Chávez National Monument

National Monument

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...

28 mi from route ~70 min detour Free near mile 165.7

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of your journey, with 68% of the route utilizing major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 83.3 miles on I 5 Truck, indicating a significant period of consistent speed and direct travel. While primarily highway, the inclusion of Westside Freeway and El Camino Real suggests you'll transition between faster-paced freeway driving and potentially more urban or local arterial roads. This blend offers a driving experience that is efficient for covering distance but may involve more varied traffic and speed changes as you approach your destination.

68% 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: 83.3 mi on I 5 Truck.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 Truck and Westside Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 171.5 miles in near I 5 Truck.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 20 significant decision points across 282.7 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 171.5 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 229.8 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 233.9 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.

Between King City, CA and Anaheim, CA, road signs point toward Bakersfield and Santa Ana.

Bakersfield

50.5 mi in | ~1h

Santa Ana

258.9 mi in | ~4h 59m | via I 5

About the Cities

Starting in King City, CA

Full guide →

King City is a city in the central region of California between San Jose and San Luis Obispo. Considered the mid-way point between Central and Southern California, King City is both a popular pit-stop for drivers, and a nice little town to visit.

Arriving in Anaheim, CA

Full guide →

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

• 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

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 30m. Total distance: 282.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 83.3 miles on I 5 Truck. 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.

Yes — Pinnacles National Park, 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 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 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.

How this page is built

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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Explore more options from King City, CA or browse trips ending in Anaheim, CA.

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Trip from King City, CA to Anaheim, CA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Anaheim Packing District

Anaheim Packing District

Muchá! Comida Chapina

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

Third Wheel Tours

Pirates Dinner Adventure

Brot Coffee

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

EVgo Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

EVgo Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles

Tobin James Cellars

San Lorenzo County Park

Monterey County Agricultural & Rural Life Museum

Disneyland Railroad - Main Street Station

Mission Escape Games

Animation Academy

Infinity Escape

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

King City, CA

Anaheim, CA

Same local time

26 degrees warmer at arrival

5h 30m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Pinnacles National Park

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

César E. Chávez National Monument

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in King City, CA

Arriving in Anaheim, CA

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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