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Trip from Wilton, CA to Anaheim, CA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 33m

Distance

402.5 mi

648 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$93

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
7h 24m ★
6 AM
7h 34m
8 AM
7h 54m
10 AM
7h 41m
12 PM
7h 39m
3 PM
7h 42m
5 PM
7h 53m
8 PM
7h 28m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Wilton, CA, CA

Wilton, CA

Stephen Leonardi

Trip Overview

Wilton, CA to Anaheim, CA is 402.5 miles and takes about 7h 33m via Westside Freeway, with a fuel budget near $93 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive primarily uses I 5 Truck and South Sacramento Freeway, making it a straightforward journey down the Pacific Coast. With a 98% highway share, you'll experience a consistent pace for most of the 402.5 miles. Plan for approximately 7.5 hours of driving time, not including any stops you might choose to make. This route is well-suited for a single-day trip, keeping you on major arteries for the entire 402.5-mile distance.

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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

201.2 miles from Wilton, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 45m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Westside Freeway 250.2 mi 4h 28m
I 5 Truck 83.3 mi 1h 36m
South Sacramento Freeway 29.7 mi 34m
Santa Ana Freeway 20.7 mi 24m
Golden State Freeway 5.3 mi 6m
Grant Line Road 5 mi 7m
Crosstown Freeway 2.4 mi 2m
Wilton Road 2 mi 5m
Longest stretch: Westside Freeway — 250.2 mi, about 4h 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Wilton, CA and Anaheim, CA.

1

Start on Green Road

37 ft · 1 sec · Green Road
2

Turn right onto Wilton Road

2.0 mi · 5 min · Wilton Road
3

Turn left onto E2

5.0 mi · 7 min · Grant Line Road
Use the straight lane.
4

Continue on E2

0.1 mi · 10 sec · Kammerer Road
5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 41 sec
6

Merge onto CA 99

30 mi · 34 min · South Sacramento Freeway
7

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward CA 4
8

Merge onto CA 4

2.4 mi · 2 min · Crosstown Freeway
9

Take the exit onto CA 4

0.4 mi · 50 sec · CA 4
Toward I 5: Sacramento
10

Keep slight left at fork onto CA 4

0.7 mi · 1 min · CA 4
Toward I 5 South
11

Merge onto I 5; CA 4

13 mi · 14 min · Westside Freeway
12

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

0.8 mi · 48 sec · Westside Freeway
13

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

237 mi · 4 hr 13 min · Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck

58 mi · 1 hr 6 min · I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

4.1 mi · 4 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

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.
17

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck

25 mi · 29 min · I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

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.
19

Merge onto I 5

21 mi · 24 min · Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 33 sec
Exit 111 Toward Lincoln Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Turn left onto West Lincoln Avenue

1.3 mi · 3 min · West Lincoln Avenue
Use the left lane.
22

Turn right onto South Anaheim Boulevard

370 ft · 14 sec · South Anaheim Boulevard
23

Turn right

200 ft · 14 sec
24

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 7h 33m estimated duration, departing early from Wilton is advisable to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With only 2 planned stops, you can be strategic about when and where you refuel and rest. The longest stretch without a break is over 250 miles, so ensure you have ample fuel before embarking on that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before entering the 250.2-mile stretch on Westside Freeway, as services can sometimes be further apart on major interstates.

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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 201.2 miles from Wilton, CA, or about 3h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 250.2 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 89 miles or 1h 45m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 201.2 miles or 3h 45m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 20m

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 Wilton, 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.

+

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Wilton, CA

This is one driving day of about 402.5 miles and 7h 33m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 89 miles from Wilton, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 250.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city and county seat of Kern County, California, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bakersfield, CA

201 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

Ripon, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 89 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Mendota, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 201.2 miles from Wilton, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 250.2 miles.

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 20

5 decision points cluster between mile 54.7 and 400.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
54.7 mi into trip | ~1h 8m in | I 5 / Westside Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Westside Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
291.3 mi into trip | ~5h 22m 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.
8
353.7 mi into trip | ~6h 33m 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
378.7 mi into trip | ~7h 3m 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
400.6 mi into trip | ~7h 29m 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

$92.51 one way

$185.02 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 141 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $95.33 $190.66
premium $6.18 $97.88 $195.77
diesel $5.61 $88.87 $177.73

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$93

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$118–$143

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 140.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $42 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 120.8 1 $42.26 $19.32
Efficient EV 100.6 1 $35.22 $16.10
EV Truck/SUV 161 2 $56.35 $25.76

Gas CO2

141 kg

EV CO2

47 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 Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Wilton, CA

Late night in Wilton on Tuesday

Local time

3:38 AM

PDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Anaheim, CA

Late night in Anaheim on Tuesday

Local time

3:38 AM

PDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live 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

14 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

7h 33m 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

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 347
View on nps.gov
César E. Chávez National Monument

César E. Chávez National Monument

National Monument

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 ~67 min detour Free near mile 291.5
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for nearly the entire 402.5 miles, with a 98% highway share. The route is dominated by major freeways like Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, and South Sacramento Freeway, offering a consistent driving experience. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch at 250.2 miles on the Westside Freeway, so be prepared for extended periods of high-speed travel. This drive is characterized by its efficiency, prioritizing direct travel over winding scenic byways.

98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 250.2 mi on Westside Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

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 54.7 miles in near I 5 / Westside Freeway.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 20 significant decision points across 402.5 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 54.7 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 291.3 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 353.7 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.

On the drive from Wilton, CA to Anaheim, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Santa Ana along the way.

Santa Ana

378.7 mi in | ~7h 3m | via I 5

About the Cities

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 7h 33m. Total distance: 402.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 33m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 250.2 miles on Westside Freeway. 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 54.7 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 291.3 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 353.7 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 7.6 hours each way, a round trip means 15.1 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.

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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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