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Trip from Newman, CA to Anaheim, CA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 20, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 57m

Distance

317.5 mi

511 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$73

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 45m ★
6 AM
5h 58m
8 AM
6h 24m
10 AM
6h 7m
12 PM
6h 4m
3 PM
6h 8m
5 PM
6h 22m
8 PM
5h 50m

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

city in Stanislaus County, California, United States

Newman, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This straightforward 317.5-mile drive from Newman, CA to Anaheim, CA can comfortably be completed in about 5 hours and 57 minutes, making it a feasible one-day trip. You'll spend 96% of your time on major highways, primarily utilizing the Westside Freeway and I-5 Truck, transitioning to the Santa Ana Freeway as you approach your destination. With an estimated fuel cost of $73, this route offers a budget-friendly option for traversing California. The drive is largely highway-focused, connecting two points within the Pacific Coast region. It's a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently.

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

158.8 miles from Newman, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 55m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Westside Freeway 196.1 mi 3h 30m
I 5 Truck 83.3 mi 1h 36m
Santa Ana Freeway 20.7 mi 24m
Golden State Freeway 5.3 mi 6m
N Street 4.3 mi 6m
Sullivan Road 4.3 mi 6m
West Lincoln Avenue 1.3 mi 3m
Santa Nella Road 0.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Westside Freeway — 196.1 mi, about 3h 30m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on CA 33

4.3 mi · 6 min · N Street
2

Enter roundabout onto CA 33; CA 140

10 ft · 0 sec · 6th Avenue
3

Continue on CA 33; CA 140

0.2 mi · 14 sec · 6th Avenue
4

Continue on CA 33; CA 140

0.5 mi · 42 sec · South Avenue
5

Turn straight onto CA 33; CA 140

0.6 mi · 1 min · Santa Nella Road
6

Turn right onto CA 140

4.3 mi · 6 min · Sullivan Road
7

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 40 sec
8

Merge onto I 5

196 mi · 3 hr 30 min · Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck

58 mi · 1 hr 6 min · I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

4.1 mi · 4 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

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.
12

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck

25 mi · 29 min · I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

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.
14

Merge onto I 5

21 mi · 24 min · Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 33 sec
Exit 111 Toward Lincoln Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Turn left onto West Lincoln Avenue

1.3 mi · 3 min · West Lincoln Avenue
Use the left lane.
17

Turn right onto South Anaheim Boulevard

370 ft · 14 sec · South Anaheim Boulevard
18

Turn right

200 ft · 14 sec
19

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of under 6 hours, this drive is best tackled in a single day. Aim for an early morning departure from Newman, CA, to maximize daylight and potentially avoid heavier traffic as you near Anaheim, CA. With only one recommended stop, plan it strategically during your longest stretch on the Westside Freeway around the 196.1-mile mark. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $73 estimated cost covers the entire 317.5 miles, and refueling options might be more spread out on the extended highway segments.

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 158.8 miles from Newman, CA, or about 2h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 196.1 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 70 miles or 1h 19m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 158.8 miles or 2h 55m 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 48m

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 Newman, 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 Newman, CA

This is one driving day of about 317.5 miles and 5h 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Newman, 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 Westside Freeway for about 196.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Los Angeles County, California, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Santa Clarita, CA

159 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

Mendota, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 70 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Avenal, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 158.8 miles from Newman, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 196.1 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 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 206.3 and 315.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
206.3 mi into trip | ~3h 46m 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.
6
264.6 mi into trip | ~4h 52m 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.
8
268.7 mi into trip | ~4h 57m 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
293.7 mi into trip | ~5h 27m 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
315.7 mi into trip | ~5h 53m 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

$72.98 one way

$145.95 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 111 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $75.20 $150.40
premium $6.18 $77.21 $154.42
diesel $5.61 $70.10 $140.20

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$73

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$98–$123

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 111.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 95.3 1 $33.34 $15.24
Efficient EV 79.4 0 $27.78 $12.70
EV Truck/SUV 127 1 $44.45 $20.32

Gas CO2

111 kg

EV CO2

37 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 15, 2026

Origin

Newman, CA

Evening in Newman on Sunday

Local time

5:27 PM

PDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Anaheim, CA

Evening in Anaheim on Sunday

Local time

5:27 PM

PDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

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

15 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

5h 57m 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.

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

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 ~54 min detour Free near mile 262.8
View on nps.gov
César E. Chávez National Monument

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...

27 mi from route ~68 min detour Free near mile 208
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 this 317.5-mile journey. You'll be on major freeways for 96% of the time, navigating the Westside Freeway, I-5 Truck, and Santa Ana Freeway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 196.1 miles on the Westside Freeway, indicating long periods of consistent driving. This profile suggests a route optimized for steady progress rather than winding scenic byways. The character of the road is consistent for extended periods, allowing for a predictable driving experience.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 196.1 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 206.3 miles in near I 5 Truck.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 317.5 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 206.3 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 264.6 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 268.7 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.

On the drive from Newman, CA to Anaheim, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Santa Ana along the way.

Santa Ana

293.7 mi in | ~5h 27m | via I 5

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 5h 57m. Total distance: 317.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 196.1 miles on Westside Freeway. 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.

The main spots that need attention: at 206.3 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 264.6 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 268.7 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 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 11.9 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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