Riverbank to Anaheim is 344.5 miles and takes about 6h 40m via CA 99 and the Golden State Freeway, with a fuel budget near $78 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within California's Pacific Coast region for its entirety. Given its mostly highway profile, expect a straightforward drive focused on covering ground efficiently. It's a practical option if you need to get from the Central Valley area down to Southern California without much fuss.
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
172.3 miles from Riverbank, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
CA 99
129.2 mi
2h 24m
Golden State Freeway
96.1 mi
1h 48m
Golden State Highway
58.6 mi
1h 2m
I 5 Truck
25 mi
29m
Santa Ana Freeway
20.7 mi
24m
Mitchell Road
4.8 mi
9m
Roselle Avenue
4.6 mi
8m
West Lincoln Avenue
1.3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
CA 99
— 129.2 mi, about 2h 24m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 266 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,058 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,918
Quietest
2 AM
~883 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 44 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverbank, CA and Anaheim, CA.
1
Start on Santa Fe Street
64 ft·8 sec·Santa Fe Street
2
Turn left onto 3rd Street
0.2 mi·57 sec·3rd Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto Patterson Road
0.3 mi·31 sec·Patterson Road
4
Turn left onto Roselle Avenue
3.0 mi·5 min·Roselle Avenue
5
Enter roundabout onto Roselle Avenue
139 ft·2 sec·Roselle Avenue
6
Continue on Roselle Avenue
0.5 mi·52 sec·Roselle Avenue
7
Enter roundabout onto Roselle Avenue
109 ft·2 sec·Roselle Avenue
8
Continue on Roselle Avenue
0.2 mi·23 sec·Roselle Avenue
9
Enter roundabout onto Roselle Avenue
131 ft·2 sec·Roselle Avenue
10
Continue on Roselle Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·Roselle Avenue
11
Turn right onto East Briggsmore Avenue
1.0 mi·1 min·East Briggsmore Avenue
12
Turn left onto Oakdale Road
1.0 mi·2 min·Oakdale Road
13
Continue on El Vista Avenue
1.0 mi·1 min·El Vista Avenue
14
Continue on Mitchell Road
4.8 mi·9 min·Mitchell Road
15
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·32 sec
16
Merge onto CA 99
88 mi·1 hr 40 min·CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
41 mi·44 min·CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
59 mi·1 hr 2 min·Golden State Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on CA 99
5.2 mi·5 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
27 mi·30 min·Golden State Freeway
Toward CA 99 South: Los AngelesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
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.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
25 mi·29 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
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.
26
Merge onto I 5
21 mi·24 min·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.5 mi·33 sec
Exit 111Toward Lincoln AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Turn left onto West Lincoln Avenue
1.3 mi·3 min·West Lincoln Avenue
Use the left lane.
29
Turn right onto South Anaheim Boulevard
370 ft·14 sec·South Anaheim Boulevard
30
Turn right
200 ft·14 sec
31
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6h 40m drive, aim to leave Riverbank early in the morning to avoid the worst of any potential traffic, especially as you get closer to the Los Angeles metropolitan area. With a total distance of 344.5 miles, it's easily a single-day trip, so you can afford to be flexible with your stops. Consider filling up your tank before you leave Riverbank, as fuel costs are estimated at $78 for the trip. Keep an eye out for the numerous exits along CA 99 as you head south.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 172.3 miles from Riverbank, CA, or about 3h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.2 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 76 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 172.3 miles or 3h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 27m
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 Riverbank, 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 Riverbank, CA
This is one driving day of about 344.5 miles and 6h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 miles from Riverbank, 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 CA 99 for about 129.2 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 342.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip|~1m in|Patterson Road
At end of road, turn right onto Patterson Road
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
7
206.1 mi into trip|~3h 58m in|CA 99 / Golden State Freeway
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 99 South: Los Angeles
8
295.7 mi into trip|~5h 40m 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
320.7 mi into trip|~6h 9m 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
342.7 mi into trip|~6h 35m 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
$72.07 one way
$144.15 round trip
$5.31/gal25.4 MPG avg121 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$74.85
$149.71
premium
$5.67
$76.83
$153.67
diesel
$4.80
$65.05
$130.10
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$72
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$97–$122
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 120.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
103.4
1
$36.17
$16.54
Efficient EV
86.1
0
$30.14
$13.78
EV Truck/SUV
137.8
1
$48.23
$22.05
Gas CO2
121 kg
EV CO2
40 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Riverbank, CA
Late night
in Riverbank on Monday
Local time
2:28 AM
PDT
Current temp
60°F
Mostly Clear
NNW 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 1:44AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 1:44AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Destination
Anaheim, CA
Late night
in Anaheim on Monday
Local time
2:28 AM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Mostly Cloudy
E 0 to 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 1:44AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 1:44AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
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
9 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
6h 40m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 297
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 225.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 79% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on freeways like CA 99 and the Golden State Freeway. The longest continuous stretch on these roads is 129.2 miles. You'll notice frequent exits and merges as you navigate through various populated areas. The transition to surface streets will occur as you approach your destination in Anaheim.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 129.2 mi on CA 99.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CA 99 and Golden State Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Patterson Road.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 344.5 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 0.2 miles (Patterson Road): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 206.1 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 295.7 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,368 ft113 ft
Total Climb
3,388 ft
Total Descent
3,371 ft
Highest Point
3,368 ft
~246.1 mi in
Elevation Range
3,255 ft
Notable High Points
3,368 ft at ~246.1 miles+549 ft prominence
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 Riverbank, CA to Anaheim, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Santa Ana along the way.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 40m. Total distance: 344.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 40m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 129.2 miles on CA 99. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 32 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Patterson Road): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 206.1 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 295.7 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 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.4 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.
