Origin
Richgrove, CA
Morning in Richgrove on Sunday
Local time
9:10 AM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 24m
Distance
171.5 mi
276 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Richgrove, CA
Stephen Leonardi
This 171.5-mile drive from Richgrove, CA to Anaheim, CA can be completed in about 3 hours and 24 minutes, making it a manageable one-day trip. You'll spend most of your time on major freeways, with an estimated fuel cost of $39. The route is primarily highway-focused, designed for efficient travel between these two points within the Pacific Coast region. With only one recommended stop and an 81% highway share, this drive prioritizes getting you to your destination quickly. Consider this a straightforward journey, ideal for those looking to cover ground with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
85.7 miles from Richgrove, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 41m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Golden State Freeway | 93.1 mi | 1h 45m |
| I 5 Truck | 25 mi | 29m |
| Porterville Highway | 22.5 mi | 25m |
| Santa Ana Freeway | 20.7 mi | 24m |
| Garces Highway | 4.5 mi | 6m |
| Famoso Porterville Highway | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| West Lincoln Avenue | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| Richgrove Drive | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Richgrove, CA and Anaheim, CA.
Start on Dooley Drive
At end of road, turn left onto Richgrove Drive
Continue on Famoso Porterville Highway
Turn left onto CA 155
Turn right onto CA 65
Continue on this road
Merge onto CA 99
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
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 3 hours and 24 minutes, this drive is well-suited for a single day. To make the most of it, consider departing early in the morning to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach Anaheim. With a fuel cost around $39, it's wise to fill up before you leave Richgrove. The longest stretch without a break is over 93 miles, so plan for a fuel or rest stop accordingly. Keep an eye on your navigation as you transition between the Golden State Freeway, I 5 Truck, and Porterville Highway to ensure a smooth continuation of your trip.
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 38 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.7 miles or 1h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Anaheim, CA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Richgrove, 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 Richgrove, CA
This is one driving day of about 171.5 miles and 3h 24m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
86 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 85.7 miles from Richgrove, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Golden State Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 93.1 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 33 and 169.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99 / Golden State Freeway toward CA 99 South: Los Angeles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99 / 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
$39.42 one way
$78.84 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $40.62 | $81.24 |
| premium | $6.18 | $41.71 | $83.41 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.87 | $75.73 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.4 | 0 | $18.01 | $8.23 |
| Efficient EV | 42.9 | 0 | $15.01 | $6.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 68.6 | 0 | $24.01 | $10.98 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Richgrove on Sunday
Local time
9:10 AM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Anaheim on Sunday
Local time
9:10 AM
PDT
Current temp
72°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
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 81% of your journey utilizing major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 93.1 miles, primarily on the Golden State Freeway. This means you'll be navigating a consistent, high-speed environment for significant portions of the drive. While main roads like the Golden State Freeway and I 5 Truck are key, you'll also traverse stretches of Porterville Highway. The character of the drive is one of steady progress, emphasizing efficiency over varied scenery.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Golden State 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 33 miles in near CA 99 / Golden State Freeway.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 171.5 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 33 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 60.4 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.7 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 Richgrove, 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 3h 24m. Total distance: 171.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). 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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