Origin
Lemon Grove, CA
Late night in Lemon Grove on Sunday
Local time
12:58 AM
PDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lemon Grove, 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
2h 4m
Distance
101.9 mi
164 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 56m
★
6 AM
2h 5m
8 AM
2h 23m
10 AM
2h 11m
12 PM
2h 9m
3 PM
2h 12m
5 PM
2h 22m
8 PM
2h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lemon Grove, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 101.9-mile drive from Lemon Grove, CA to Anaheim, CA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 4 minutes. Primarily utilizing the San Diego Freeway, Jacob Dekema Freeway, and Santa Ana Freeway, this route offers a highway-focused experience. With a fuel cost estimated at $23, it's an economical option for a quick journey within the Pacific Coast region. You'll spend 93% of your time on highways, making it a straightforward drive for those preferring to cover ground efficiently. This route is ideal for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
50.9 miles from Lemon Grove, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 1m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego Freeway | 60.9 mi | 1h 11m |
| Jacob Dekema Freeway | 14.2 mi | 16m |
| Santa Ana Freeway | 8.8 mi | 10m |
| I 5 Truck | 7.6 mi | 8m |
| Martin Luther King Junior Freeway | 3.2 mi | 3m |
| El Camino Real | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| Broadway | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| West Lincoln Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
San Diego Freeway
— 60.9 mi, about 1h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lemon Grove, CA and Anaheim, CA.
1
Start on this road
127 ft
·
16 sec
·
this road
2
Turn slight left onto Broadway
172 ft
·
9 sec
·
Broadway
3
Continue on Broadway
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Broadway
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward CA 94 West: Martin Luther King Junior Freeway
5
Merge onto CA 94
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Martin Luther King Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 3
Toward I 805 South, I 805 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 805 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
Toward I 805 North
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 805
14 mi
·
16 min
·
Jacob Dekema Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
11
Merge onto I 5
35 mi
·
41 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
18 mi
·
20 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
7.4 mi
·
8 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 5 Truck
Toward Bake Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the slight right lane.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 100
Toward Jamboree Road
Use the slight right lane.
17
Continue on this road
527 ft
·
11 sec
·
this road
18
Turn right onto Jamboree Road
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Jamboree Road
Use the left / right lanes.
19
Turn left onto El Camino Real
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
El Camino Real
Use the left lane.
20
Turn left onto Newport Avenue
357 ft
·
13 sec
·
Newport Avenue
Use the left lane.
21
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
Toward I 5 North: Los Angeles
22
Merge onto I 5
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Santa Ana Freeway
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
5.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
Exit 111
Toward Lincoln Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn right onto West Lincoln Avenue
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Lincoln Avenue
Use the right lane.
27
Turn right onto South Anaheim Boulevard
370 ft
·
14 sec
·
South Anaheim Boulevard
28
Turn right
200 ft
·
14 sec
29
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour duration and 101.9-mile distance, this trip works best as a single-day excursion. Aim to depart outside of peak commute hours to minimize traffic, especially as you approach the Los Angeles area. With a fuel cost of around $23, you won't need frequent refueling stops, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 60.9 miles, so plan your breaks accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point or before entering more congested areas. Since there are no specific stops recommended on this route, you have the flexibility to depart and arrive as you please.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 50.9 miles from Lemon Grove, CA, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.9 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 22 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.9 miles or 1h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 39m
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 Lemon Grove, 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 Lemon Grove, CA
This is one driving day of about 101.9 miles and 2h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Lemon Grove, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on San Diego Freeway for about 60.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
51 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 50.9 miles from Lemon Grove, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before San Diego Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 255 decision points cluster between mile 4.6 and 88.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
4.6 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the exit toward I 805 South, I 805 North
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 3
Toward I 805 South, I 805 North
7
4.7 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 805 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 805 North
7
5.1 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 805 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 805 North
7
81.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 36m in
|
I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward Bake Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Bake Parkway
7
88.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 45m in
Take the exit toward Jamboree Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 100
Toward Jamboree Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.42 one way
$46.84 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
36 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $24.14 | $48.27 |
| premium | $6.18 | $24.78 | $49.56 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $22.50 | $45.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 30.6 | 0 | $10.70 | $4.89 |
| Efficient EV | 25.5 | 0 | $8.92 | $4.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 40.8 | 0 | $14.27 | $6.52 |
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
Anaheim, CA
Late night in Anaheim on Sunday
Local time
12:58 AM
PDT
Current temp
74°F
Partly Sunny
SW 0 to 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
2 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
2h 4m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive for this trip, with 93% of the 101.9 miles spent on major freeways. The character of the road is largely consistent, featuring long stretches like the 60.9-mile segment on the San Diego Freeway. You'll be navigating well-established routes such as the San Diego Freeway, Jacob Dekema Freeway, and Santa Ana Freeway, which are designed for efficient travel. While not overly scenic, the focus is on getting you from point A to point B smoothly and directly. The highway infrastructure ensures a predictable driving experience throughout.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 60.9 mi on San Diego Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on San Diego Freeway and Jacob Dekema Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.6 miles in.
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 25 significant decision points across 101.9 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 4.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
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 2h 4m. Total distance: 101.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 60.9 miles on San Diego Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Anaheim, CA before heading back.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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