This 238.7-mile drive from Templeton, CA to Anaheim, CA is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 38 minutes. Predominantly a highway-focused experience, you'll spend about 80% of your time on major freeways like I 5 Truck and Westside Freeway. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $55. While it's a solid day trip, remember that traffic in Southern California can significantly impact travel times, so an early start is advisable. This route traverses the Pacific Coast region from start to finish, keeping you within California.
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
119.3 miles from Templeton, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5 Truck
83.3 mi
1h 36m
Westside Freeway
56.8 mi
1h
Paso Robles Highway
32.3 mi
38m
CA 46
24.4 mi
28m
Santa Ana Freeway
20.7 mi
24m
Golden State Freeway
5.3 mi
6m
Antelope Road
5.3 mi
6m
El Camino Real
5.1 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 5 Truck
— 83.3 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Templeton, CA and Anaheim, CA.
1
Start on this road
160 ft·17 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto South Main Street
1.2 mi·2 min·South Main Street
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward US 101 North
4
Merge onto US 101
5.1 mi·5 min·El Camino Real
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward CA 46 East: Fresno, Bakersfield
6
Turn right onto CA 46
24 mi·28 min·CA 46
7
Merge onto CA 41; CA 46
1.4 mi·1 min·CA 41; CA 46
8
Turn slight right
490 ft·6 sec
9
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 46
5.3 mi·6 min·Antelope Road
10
Continue on CA 46
32 mi·38 min·Paso Robles Highway
Use the slight left lane.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·24 sec
12
Merge onto I 5
57 mi·1 hr·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
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.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
25 mi·29 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
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.
18
Merge onto I 5
21 mi·24 min·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi·33 sec
Exit 111Toward Lincoln AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn left onto West Lincoln Avenue
1.3 mi·3 min·West Lincoln Avenue
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right onto South Anaheim Boulevard
370 ft·14 sec·South Anaheim Boulevard
22
Turn right
200 ft·14 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a duration of just under 4.5 hours, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day. To make the most of it and potentially avoid some of the region's notorious traffic, aim to depart from Templeton early in the morning. You'll only need one planned stop for fuel and rest on this 238.7-mile drive, with the longest stretch without a break being 83.3 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $55, and it's always wise to top off before hitting longer highway segments, especially on I 5 Truck.
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 119.3 miles from Templeton, CA, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.3 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 53 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.3 miles or 2h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 45m
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 Templeton, 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 Templeton, CA
This is one driving day of about 238.7 miles and 4h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Templeton, 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 I 5 Truck for about 83.3 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 127.4 and 236.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
127.4 mi into trip|~2h 26m 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
185.8 mi into trip|~3h 33m 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
189.9 mi into trip|~3h 38m 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
214.9 mi into trip|~4h 7m 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
236.8 mi into trip|~4h 33m 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
$54.86 one way
$109.73 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$56.54
$113.07
premium
$6.18
$58.05
$116.10
diesel
$5.61
$52.70
$105.40
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.6
0
$25.06
$11.46
Efficient EV
59.7
0
$20.89
$9.55
EV Truck/SUV
95.5
1
$33.42
$15.28
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 17, 2026
Origin
Templeton, CA
Morning
in Templeton on Sunday
Local time
8:49 AM
PDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Anaheim, CA
Morning
in Anaheim on Sunday
Local time
8:49 AM
PDT
Current temp
73°F
Partly Sunny
SW 10 mph0% chanceLive 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
30 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
4h 38m 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
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 189.3
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
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 123.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 238.7-mile journey, with 80% of the route utilizing major freeways. You'll encounter stretches that are primarily interstate cruising, including the longest uninterrupted segment of 83.3 miles on I 5 Truck. While the main roads include Paso Robles Highway, the character leans heavily towards efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways. This means consistent speeds are generally possible, but be prepared for the typical characteristics of long-distance freeway driving.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 83.3 mi on I 5 Truck.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 Truck and Westside Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 127.4 miles in near I 5 Truck.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 238.7 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 127.4 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 185.8 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 189.9 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 Templeton, 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 4h 38m. Total distance: 238.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 83.3 miles on I 5 Truck. 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 127.4 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 185.8 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 189.9 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Anaheim, CA, but most travelers stay overnight.
