Origin
Newman, CA
Evening in Newman on Sunday
Local time
5:27 PM
PDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
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
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Newman, CA
Wikimedia Commons
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 .
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Newman, CA and Anaheim, CA.
Start on CA 33
Enter roundabout onto CA 33; CA 140
Continue on CA 33; CA 140
Continue on CA 33; CA 140
Turn straight onto CA 33; CA 140
Turn right onto CA 140
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
Merge onto I 5
Take the exit
Turn left onto West Lincoln Avenue
Turn right onto South Anaheim Boulevard
Turn right
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 70 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 checkTop 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.
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.
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 405 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Take the exit toward Lincoln Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$72.98 one way
$145.95 round trip
| 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Newman on Sunday
Local time
5:27 PM
PDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Anaheim on Sunday
Local time
5:27 PM
PDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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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.
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.
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.
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
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
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.
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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