This 472.9-mile journey from Nevada City, CA, to Anaheim, CA, is estimated to take about 8 hours and 4 minutes of driving time. Given the duration and the nature of the drive, splitting this trip over two days is highly recommended to make it more enjoyable. You'll navigate using the Golden Center Freeway, Grass Valley Highway, and I-80 West. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $110. This route offers a practical way to travel between two points within the Pacific Coast region. With two planned stops, you can break up the drive effectively.
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
235.2 miles from Nevada City, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
296.3 mi
5h 19m
I 5 Truck
83.3 mi
1h 36m
Santa Ana Freeway
20.7 mi
24m
Golden Center Freeway
19 mi
25m
Alan S. Hart Freeway
16.8 mi
19m
Capital City Freeway
10.6 mi
11m
Grass Valley Highway
8 mi
11m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
7.1 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 296.3 mi, about 5h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nevada City, CA and Anaheim, CA.
1
Start on this road
0.1 mi·12 sec·this road
2
Merge onto CA 20; CA 49
19 mi·25 min·Golden Center Freeway
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on CA 49
1.1 mi·1 min·Grass Valley Highway
4
Enter roundabout onto CA 49
107 ft·3 sec·Grass Valley Highway
5
Continue on CA 49
1.3 mi·1 min·Grass Valley Highway
6
Enter roundabout onto CA 49
106 ft·3 sec·Grass Valley Highway
7
Continue on CA 49
5.6 mi·9 min·Grass Valley Highway
Use the left lane.
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I 80 West: Sacramento
9
Merge onto I 80
17 mi·19 min·Alan S. Hart Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 80
7.1 mi·8 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business
4.9 mi·5 min·Capital City Freeway
Exit 95Toward I 80 Business West: SacramentoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 Business
3.7 mi·4 min·Capital City Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business
1.9 mi·2 min·Capital City Freeway
Toward US 50 East, I 80 West: South Lake Tahoe, San FranciscoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Exit 4AToward I 5: Los Angeles, ReddingUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 4AToward I 5 South: Los AngelesUse the slight left lane.
16
Merge onto I 5
59 mi·1 hr 5 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi·48 sec·Westside Freeway
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
237 mi·4 hr 13 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
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.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
25 mi·29 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
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.
24
Merge onto I 5
21 mi·24 min·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.5 mi·33 sec
Exit 111Toward Lincoln AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn left onto West Lincoln Avenue
1.3 mi·3 min·West Lincoln Avenue
Use the left 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
For this 8-hour drive, departing early in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and minimize traffic, especially as you approach the Anaheim area. With two recommended stops, aim to break up the drive into roughly three segments. The $110 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always keep an eye on your gauge, especially on the local road portions where services might be less frequent than on major interstates. A crucial tip for this route: pay close attention to signage for the Golden Center Freeway and Grass Valley Highway as you begin, as these initial local segments set the tone for the drive.
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 235.2 miles from Nevada City, CA, or about 4h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 296.3 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 103 miles or 2h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 235.2 miles or 4h 25m 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 235.2 miles or 4h 25m
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 36m
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 Nevada 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.
+
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 Nevada City, CA
Aim for roughly 235 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Anaheim, CA
Aim for roughly 235 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 103 miles from Nevada City, 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 296.3 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 51.2 and 421.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
51.2 mi into trip|~1h 5m in|I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway toward I 80 Business West: Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 95
Toward I 80 Business West: Sacramento
8
59.9 mi into trip|~1h 14m in|I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway toward US 50 East, I 80 West: South Lake Tahoe, San Francisco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 50 East, I 80 West: South Lake Tahoe,...
8
61.8 mi into trip|~1h 16m in
Take the exit toward I 5: Los Angeles, Redding
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 4A
Toward I 5: Los Angeles, Redding
8
62 mi into trip|~1h 16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 South: Los Angeles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 4A
Toward I 5 South: Los Angeles
8
421.5 mi into trip|~7h 49m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$108.09 one way
$216.19 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg165 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$111.39
$222.78
premium
$6.18
$114.37
$228.74
diesel
$5.61
$103.84
$207.67
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$108
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$238–$348
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 164.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $49 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
141.1
1
$49.38
$22.57
Efficient EV
117.6
1
$41.15
$18.81
EV Truck/SUV
188.1
2
$65.84
$30.10
Gas CO2
165 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Nevada City, CA
Night
in Nevada City on Saturday
Local time
9:37 PM
PDT
Current temp
37°F
Clear
ENE 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 17 at 5:29AM PDT until April 17 at 2:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 17 at 5:29AM PDT until April 17 at 2:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Destination
Anaheim, CA
Night
in Anaheim on Saturday
Local time
9:37 PM
PDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Clear
SE 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 17 at 5:29AM PDT until April 17 at 2:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 17 at 5:29AM PDT until April 17 at 2:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard 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
16 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
8h 49m 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 421.7
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 356.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for a significant portion of this route, rather than a constant interstate cruise. While I-80 West is part of the plan, the highway share is 0%, indicating a focus on local roads and potentially more frequent intersections and speed changes. There isn't a "longest stretch" specified, which further suggests a journey with varied road types and pace. This drive will likely feel more engaging than a pure highway marathon, requiring your attention as you transition between different local road segments.
96% 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: 296.3 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 51.2 miles in near I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway.
Driving Effort9/10
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 24 significant decision points across 470.3 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 51.2 miles (I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 59.9 miles (I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Nevada City, CA and Anaheim, CA, road signs point toward San Francisco, Redding and Santa Ana.
Nevada City is a city in Nevada County in California's Gold Country. It's known for its well-preserved 19th century downtown and countercultural affiliations.
Top landmarks
•Nevada Theatre — movie theater and former theater in Nevada City, California, United States
•Nevada Brewery — commercial building in Nevada City, United States of America
•Nevada City Downtown Historic District — historic district in California, United States
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 296.3 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 235 miles on day one.
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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 51.2 miles (I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 59.9 miles (I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 8.8 hours each way, a round trip means 17.7 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.
