How far is Anaheim, CA from National City, CA?
The driving distance from Anaheim, CA to National City, CA is about 100.4 miles (161.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 92.8 miles (149.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 07m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 02h 03m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The second most populous city in San Diego County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Anaheim and National City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anaheim and National City.
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1
Start on the route
61 m · 20 sec
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2
Turn right onto South Anaheim Boulevard
1684 ft · 58 sec · South Anaheim Boulevard
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3
Turn right onto West Santa Ana Street
1751 ft · 52 sec · West Santa Ana Street
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4
Turn left onto Harbor Boulevard
1.3 km · 2 min · Harbor Boulevard
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5
Continue on Harbor Boulevard
1120 ft · 29 sec · Harbor Boulevard
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6
Take the ramp slight right toward I 5 South: Santa Ana Freeway
1264 ft · 31 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
2.8 mi · 3 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1241 ft · 16 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
1.3 km · 57 sec
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10
Keep slight left
788 ft · 10 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South
981 ft · 13 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 km · 54 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.2 km · 52 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Newport Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min
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16
Turn right onto Newport Avenue
1943 ft · 44 sec · Newport Avenue
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17
Turn left onto Walnut Avenue
2.2 mi · 4 min · Walnut Avenue
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18
Turn left onto Jamboree Road
2595 ft · 38 sec · Jamboree Road
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19
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 South
1479 ft · 21 sec
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20
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
5.5 mi · 6 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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21
Keep slight left to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 km · 56 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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22
Merge slight right onto San Diego Freeway
62.4 mi · 1 hr 13 min · San Diego Freeway
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23
Take the exit slight left
1.3 km · 55 sec
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24
Continue on Jacob Dekema Freeway
16.4 mi · 19 min · Jacob Dekema Freeway
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25
Take the exit slight right toward Palm Avenue, 47th Street
1652 ft · 40 sec
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26
Keep slight right
50 m · 4 sec
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27
Turn right onto South 47th Street
46 m · 3 sec · South 47th Street
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28
Continue on North Palm Avenue
911 ft · 24 sec · North Palm Avenue
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29
Turn right onto Division Street
2387 ft · 55 sec · Division Street
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30
Turn left onto Highland Avenue
2659 ft · 51 sec · Highland Avenue
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31
Turn right onto East 8th Street
42 m · 7 sec · East 8th Street
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32
Turn right
12 m · 3 sec
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Anaheim and National City.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
San Diego Freeway
Merge slight right onto San Diego Freeway
62.4 mi · 01h 13m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny leaving Anaheim and Mostly Sunny near National City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Anaheim to National City?
The road trip is about 100.4 miles (161.6 km) and usually takes 02h 03m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Oceanside is a useful midpoint, sitting about 50.3 miles from Anaheim and 50.1 miles from National City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 92.8 miles (149.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:22 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.42 one way or $40.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Anaheim and Mostly Sunny near National City.
Stop Ideas Near Oceanside
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort
San Clemente Business Licenses
City of San Clemente City Hall
Carlsbad Village Inn
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Oceanside.
Oceanside Transit Center
Carlsbad Village station
Carlsbad Poinsettia, CA
Encinitas, CA
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Anaheim and National City. Straight-line distance: 92.8 mi (149.34 km).
#1 Anaheim
The second most populous city in Orange County, California and the center of the Anaheim metropolitan area.
| Population | 353,676 |
| Coordinates | 33.8352900, -117.9145000 |
| Altitude | 48 |
| Country | United States |
#2 National City
The most populous city in San Diego County, California.
| Population | 61,394 |
| Coordinates | 32.6781100, -117.0992000 |
| Altitude | 21 |
| Country | United States |
End: National City (-117.0992, 32.67811)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 162 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $20.42 | $40.84 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $21.47 | $42.95 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $22.10 | $44.20 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $26.79 | $53.57 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in California · Apr 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.