Origin
Palmdale, CA
Late night in Palmdale on Tuesday
Local time
3:39 AM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Palmdale, CA to Anaheim, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 44m
Distance
87.5 mi
141 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 37m
★
6 AM
1h 44m
8 AM
2h 0m
10 AM
1h 50m
12 PM
1h 48m
3 PM
1h 51m
5 PM
1h 59m
8 PM
1h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Palmdale, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Palmdale to Anaheim is 87.5 miles and takes about 1 hour 44 minutes via Antelope Valley Freeway and I-5, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within California, connecting the Pacific Coast regions of the Antelope Valley and Los Angeles. Most of the route is highway driving, making it a straightforward trip for many drivers. Consider this an easy, direct option if you need to get from the northern edge of Los Angeles County down to Orange County.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.7 miles from Palmdale, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Antelope Valley Freeway | 29.6 mi | 32m |
| I 5 Truck | 25 mi | 29m |
| Santa Ana Freeway | 20.7 mi | 24m |
| Sierra Highway | 5.2 mi | 6m |
| Golden State Freeway | 3.9 mi | 4m |
| West Lincoln Avenue | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| East Palmdale Boulevard | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South Anaheim Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Antelope Valley Freeway
— 29.6 mi, about 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palmdale, CA and Anaheim, CA.
1
Start on CA 138
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
East Palmdale Boulevard
2
Continue on CA 138
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
East Palmdale Boulevard
3
Turn left onto US 6 Hist
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Sierra Highway
4
At end of road, turn right onto US 6 Hist
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Sierra Highway
Use the right lane.
5
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward CA 14 South: Los Angeles
6
Merge onto CA 14
29 mi
·
31 min
·
Antelope Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 14
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Antelope Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 5
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
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.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
25 mi
·
29 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
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.
13
Merge onto I 5
21 mi
·
24 min
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 111
Toward Lincoln Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn left onto West Lincoln Avenue
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
West Lincoln Avenue
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto South Anaheim Boulevard
370 ft
·
14 sec
·
South Anaheim Boulevard
17
Turn right
200 ft
·
14 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 1 hour 44 minute drive, you can easily complete it in a single day. Aim to depart Palmdale mid-morning to avoid the earliest rush hour traffic heading south. With only 87.5 miles, you don't need to plan for overnight stops, giving you flexibility. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $20, and gas stations will be frequent along the I-5 corridor. A good specific tip is to monitor traffic conditions on your GPS app before and during your drive, as congestion can significantly impact your travel time, especially closer to Anaheim.
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 43.7 miles from Palmdale, CA, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.6 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 19 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.7 miles or 50m 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 26m
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 Palmdale, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Palmdale, CA
This is one driving day of about 87.5 miles and 1h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Palmdale, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Antelope Valley Freeway for about 29.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
44 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 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 43.7 miles from Palmdale, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 165 decision points cluster between mile 4.5 and 85.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
4.5 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
US 6 Hist / Sierra Highway
At end of road, turn right onto US 6 Hist / Sierra Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
34.6 mi into trip
|
~39m in
|
CA 14 / Antelope Valley Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 14 / Antelope Valley Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
38.7 mi into trip
|
~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
63.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 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
85.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 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
$20.11 one way
$40.22 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
31 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $20.72 | $41.45 |
| premium | $6.18 | $21.28 | $42.56 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.32 | $38.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.3 | 0 | $9.19 | $4.20 |
| Efficient EV | 21.9 | 0 | $7.66 | $3.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35 | 0 | $12.25 | $5.60 |
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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 Tuesday
Local time
3:39 AM
PDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
46°F
Burbank, CA
44 mi in
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
8 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
1h 44m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 90% highway, so expect to spend most of your time on the freeway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 29.6 miles on the Antelope Valley Freeway. You'll experience a lot of freeway exits and merging traffic as you transition from the Antelope Valley Freeway to I-5 and then the Santa Ana Freeway, especially as you approach the greater Los Angeles area.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 29.6 mi on Antelope Valley Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Antelope Valley 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 4.5 miles in near US 6 Hist / Sierra Highway.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 87.5 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4.5 miles (US 6 Hist / Sierra Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 34.6 miles (CA 14 / Antelope Valley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 38.7 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.
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 Palmdale, CA to Anaheim, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Santa Ana along the way.
Santa Ana
63.7 mi in
|
~1h 13m
|
via I 5
About the Cities
Starting in Palmdale, CA
Full guide →Founded 1886
Palmdale is a city in the far north of Los Angeles County in the Antelope Valley region of the Mojave Desert in Southern California.
Top landmarks
- • Joe Davies Heritage Airpark — aviation museum in Palmdale, California, United States
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 1h 44m. Total distance: 87.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 29.6 miles on Antelope Valley 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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.5 miles (US 6 Hist / Sierra Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 34.6 miles (CA 14 / Antelope Valley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 38.7 miles (I 5 Truck): 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Anaheim, CA
More trips to Anaheim, CA
Explore more options from Palmdale, CA or browse trips ending in Anaheim, CA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.