How far is Anaheim, CA from San Juan Capistrano, CA?

The driving distance from Anaheim, CA to San Juan Capistrano, CA is about 31.1 miles (50 km), with a travel time of about 00h 42m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 27.2 miles (43.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 24m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
31.05 mi
00h 42m
Flight
27.22 mi
43.81 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Anaheim.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
27.22 mi
Kilometers
43.81 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
31.05 mi
Kilometers
49.97 km
Drive Time
00h 42m

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 00h 42m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in San Juan Capistrano
Wed, May 13, 2:23 PM PDT
Return by in Anaheim
Wed, May 13, 3:05 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Anaheim
2026-05-13T13:40
Arrive San Juan Capistrano
Wed, May 13, 2:23 PM PDT
Route Timing
00h 42m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:42 AM to 7:42 PM PDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:06 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Anaheim
10:00 PM PDT
Flexible departure

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Irvine
CA

A city located in Orange County, California.

From Anaheim
15.5 mi
00h 21m
To San Juan Capistrano
15.5 mi
00h 21m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SW
Destination
68°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Anaheim and San Juan Capistrano.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Anaheim and San Juan Capistrano.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    61 m · 20 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Anaheim Boulevard

    1684 ft · 58 sec · South Anaheim Boulevard

  3. 3

    Turn right onto West Santa Ana Street

    1751 ft · 52 sec · West Santa Ana Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Harbor Boulevard

    1.3 km · 2 min · Harbor Boulevard

  5. 5

    Continue on Harbor Boulevard

    1120 ft · 29 sec · Harbor Boulevard

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 5 South: Santa Ana Freeway

    1264 ft · 31 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway

    2.8 mi · 3 min · Santa Ana Freeway

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway

    1241 ft · 16 sec · Santa Ana Freeway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana

    1.3 km · 57 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    788 ft · 10 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South

    981 ft · 13 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway

    1.3 km · 54 sec · Santa Ana Freeway

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway

    1.2 km · 52 sec · Santa Ana Freeway

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway

    1.2 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward Newport Avenue

    1.2 km · 1 min

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Newport Avenue

    1943 ft · 44 sec · Newport Avenue

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Walnut Avenue

    2.2 mi · 4 min · Walnut Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Jamboree Road

    2595 ft · 38 sec · Jamboree Road

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward I 5 South

    1479 ft · 21 sec

  20. 20

    Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway

    5.5 mi · 6 min · Santa Ana Freeway

  21. 21

    Keep slight left to continue on Santa Ana Freeway

    1.3 km · 56 sec · Santa Ana Freeway

  22. 22

    Merge slight right onto San Diego Freeway

    11.3 mi · 13 min · San Diego Freeway

  23. 23

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 74: Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano

    1042 ft · 33 sec

  24. 24

    Turn right onto Ortega Highway

    135 m · 19 sec · Ortega Highway

  25. 25

    Turn right onto Old Mission Road

    875 ft · 41 sec · Old Mission Road

  26. 26

    Turn left onto Camino Capistrano

    24 m · 3 sec · Camino Capistrano

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Camino Capistrano

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Anaheim and San Juan Capistrano.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
27 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
4 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
87.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Santa Ana Freeway
12.1 mi · 39%
San Diego Freeway
11.3 mi · 36%
Walnut Avenue
2.2 mi · 7%
Newport Avenue
1.12 mi · 4%
Harbor Boulevard
1.05 mi · 3%
Broadway
0.97 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

San Diego Freeway

Merge slight right onto San Diego Freeway

11.3 mi · 00h 13m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 42m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+3.9 mi
27.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Irvine
00h 21m from Anaheim
Leave By
7:06 PM PDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Anaheim and Mostly Sunny near San Juan Capistrano.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Anaheim to San Juan Capistrano?

The road trip is about 31.1 miles (50 km) and usually takes 00h 42m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Irvine is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.5 miles from Anaheim and 15.5 miles from San Juan Capistrano.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 27.2 miles (43.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.9 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:06 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.35 one way or $12.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Anaheim and Mostly Sunny near San Juan Capistrano.

Stop Ideas Near Irvine

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Irvine and the surrounding midpoint area.
Miraval Life in Balance Spa at Monarch Beach Resort
Stay option 14.5 mi away

Miraval Life in Balance Spa at Monarch Beach Resort

Dana Point , CA
1 Monarch Beach Resort N a, Dana Point, CA 92629, United States
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Spa,Day spa,Massage spa,Massage therapist,Resort hotel,Spa and health club
Newport Beach Municipal Operations
Scenic stop 10 mi away

Newport Beach Municipal Operations

Newport Beach , CA
592 Superior Ave, Newport Beach, CA 92663, United States
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews City government office,Government office,Park
City of Lake Forest
Practical stop 5.8 mi away

City of Lake Forest

Irvine
Rating 4.8/5 12 reviews Government office,Service establishment
City of Tustin Parks & Recreation
Meeting point 4.9 mi away

City of Tustin Parks & Recreation

Tustin , CA
300 Centennial Way, Tustin, CA 92780, United States
Rating 5.0/5 4 reviews City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Irvine.

RAIL

Irvine Transportation Center

6 mi away
15215 Barranca Parkway
RAIL

Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center

10 mi away
1000 East Santa Ana Boulevard
RAIL

Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center

16 mi away
2150 East Katella Avenue
RAIL

Fullerton Transportation Center

24 mi away
120 East Santa Fe Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Anaheim and San Juan Capistrano. Straight-line distance: 27.22 mi (43.81 km).

Anaheim

#1 Anaheim

The second most populous city in Orange County, California and the center of the Anaheim metropolitan area.

Population353,676
Coordinates33.8352900, -117.9145000
Altitude48
CountryUnited States
San Juan Capistrano

#2 San Juan Capistrano

City in Orange County, California, United States

Population35,810
Coordinates33.5016900, -117.6625500
Altitude37
CountryUnited States
Start: Anaheim (-117.9145, 33.83529)
End: San Juan Capistrano (-117.66255, 33.50169)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 50 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 02m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 46m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 37m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 31m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 26m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 23m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.1 gal
4.15 L · about $6.35
Round trip
$12.69
2.2 gal · 8.3 L
Estimated CO2
9.8 kg one way
Round trip: 19.6 kg / 43 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $6.35 $12.69
Mid-grade $6.07 $6.67 $13.35
Premium $6.24 $6.87 $13.73
Diesel $7.57 $8.32 $16.65

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 · May 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Anaheim and San Juan Capistrano. The current time is 13:40:48.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.