Loma Rica, CA to Anaheim, CA is 465.6 miles and takes about 8h 44m via Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck, with a fuel budget near $106 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route traverses the Pacific Coast region, primarily sticking to major freeways that connect Northern California to Southern California. Given the distance and duration, it's a long day of driving, but achievable for those aiming to get south efficiently. Consider this trip if your priority is covering ground quickly, as it offers a direct path with minimal detours.
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
232.8 miles from Loma Rica, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
303.7 mi
5h 28m
I 5 Truck
83.3 mi
1h 36m
Santa Ana Freeway
20.7 mi
24m
CA 70
17.5 mi
20m
Loma Rica Road
9 mi
13m
Golden State Highway
7.7 mi
8m
Browns Valley Road
5.9 mi
8m
Golden State Freeway
5.3 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 303.7 mi, about 5h 28m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 302 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,192 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,362
Quietest
2 AM
~630 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.7×
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 Loma Rica, CA and Anaheim, CA.
1
Start on Loma Rica Road
9.0 mi·13 min·Loma Rica Road
2
At end of road, turn right onto CA 20
5.9 mi·8 min·Browns Valley Road
3
Continue on CA 20
0.5 mi·1 min·East 12th Street
4
At end of road, turn left onto CA 20; CA 70
0.5 mi·1 min·B Street
5
Turn right onto 5th Street
0.2 mi·31 sec·5th Street
6
Turn left onto CA 70
4.2 mi·5 min·E Street
7
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 70
18 mi·20 min·CA 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto CA 99
4.9 mi·5 min·Bernie Richter Memorial Highway
9
Continue on CA 99
7.7 mi·8 min·Golden State Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 5
66 mi·1 hr 13 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi·48 sec·Westside Freeway
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
237 mi·4 hr 13 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
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.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
25 mi·29 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
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.
18
Merge onto I 5
21 mi·24 min·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi·33 sec
Exit 111Toward Lincoln AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn left onto West Lincoln Avenue
1.3 mi·3 min·West Lincoln Avenue
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right onto South Anaheim Boulevard
370 ft·14 sec·South Anaheim Boulevard
22
Turn right
200 ft·14 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 465.6-mile drive, splitting it over two days is recommended to avoid fatigue. Aim to depart early in the morning on your first day to maximize daylight. Plan for about two stops, perhaps one mid-morning and another for lunch, to break up the 8h 44m estimated drive time. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a major town could be over 300 miles. The fuel cost is estimated at $106.
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 232.8 miles from Loma Rica, CA, or about 4h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 303.7 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 102 miles or 2h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 232.8 miles or 4h 22m 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 232.8 miles or 4h 22m
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 31m
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 Loma Rica, 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 Loma Rica, CA
Aim for roughly 233 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Anaheim, CA
Aim for roughly 233 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 102 miles from Loma Rica, 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 303.7 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 20.5 and 463.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
20.5 mi into trip|~30m in|CA 70
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 70
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
117.8 mi into trip|~2h 19m in|I 5 / Westside Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Westside Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
416.7 mi into trip|~7h 44m 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
441.7 mi into trip|~8h 13m 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
463.7 mi into trip|~8h 39m 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
$97.41 one way
$194.82 round trip
$5.31/gal25.4 MPG avg163 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$101.17
$202.33
premium
$5.67
$103.84
$207.69
diesel
$4.80
$87.91
$175.83
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$97
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$227–$337
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 162.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $49 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
139.7
1
$48.89
$22.35
Efficient EV
116.4
1
$40.74
$18.62
EV Truck/SUV
186.2
2
$65.18
$29.80
Gas CO2
163 kg
EV CO2
54 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
Loma Rica, CA
Late night
in Loma Rica on Sunday
Local time
1:54 AM
PDT
Current temp
97°F
Sunny
S 8 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
1:54 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
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
9 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
8h 44m 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.
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 417.4
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
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 353.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on highways, with 92% of the route being freeway. You'll experience a significant stretch of 303.7 miles on the Westside Freeway before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a high volume of exits and merging traffic, especially as you approach urban areas. The majority of your time will be spent cruising at freeway speeds.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 303.7 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 20.5 miles in near CA 70.
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 465.6 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 20.5 miles (CA 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 117.8 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 416.7 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,210 ft17 ft
Total Climb
3,671 ft
Total Descent
3,920 ft
Highest Point
3,210 ft
~365.8 mi in
Elevation Range
3,192 ft
Notable High Points
3,210 ft at ~365.8 miles+1,975 ft prominence
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 Loma Rica, CA to Anaheim, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Santa Ana along the way.
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 303.7 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 233 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 38 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 38 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 20.5 miles (CA 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 117.8 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 416.7 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — 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 8.7 hours each way, a round trip means 17.5 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.
