How far is Palm Desert, CA from Anaheim, CA?
The driving distance from Palm Desert, CA to Anaheim, CA is about 105.4 miles (169.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 88.7 miles (142.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 49m 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 01h 54m.
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.
City in Riverside County, California, United States
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 Palm Desert and Anaheim.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palm Desert and Anaheim.
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1
Start on San Luis Rey Avenue
132 m · 25 sec · San Luis Rey Avenue
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2
Turn right onto East Palm Canyon Drive
1.3 km · 1 min · East Palm Canyon Drive
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3
Turn right onto Monterey Avenue
6 mi · 9 min · Monterey Avenue
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4
Continue on Monterey Avenue
69 m · 11 sec · Monterey Avenue
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I-10: WEST
2232 ft · 27 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
19.3 mi · 21 min · Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
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7
Continue on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
17.9 mi · 19 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
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8
Take the exit slight left toward CA 60 West: Riverside
1022 ft · 13 sec
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9
Continue on Moreno Valley Freeway
2677 ft · 33 sec · Moreno Valley Freeway
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10
Continue on Moreno Valley Expressway
2 mi · 2 min · Moreno Valley Expressway
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11
Continue on Moreno Valley Freeway
16 mi · 20 min · Moreno Valley Freeway
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12
Merge slight left onto Escondido Freeway
3.9 mi · 5 min · Escondido Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward CA 91 West: Riverside, Beach Cities
1.5 mi · 3 min
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14
Merge slight left onto Riverside Freeway
13.4 mi · 16 min · Riverside Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Main Street
1526 ft · 20 sec
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16
Continue straight
16.7 mi · 19 min
-
17
Keep slight right to continue on Riverside Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · Riverside Freeway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward State College Boulevard
965 ft · 22 sec
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19
Turn left onto North State College Boulevard
1 mi · 2 min · North State College Boulevard
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20
Turn right onto East Lincoln Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · East Lincoln Avenue
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21
Turn left onto South Anaheim Boulevard
143 m · 26 sec · South Anaheim Boulevard
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22
Turn right
61 m · 15 sec
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Palm Desert and Anaheim.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
Merge slight left onto Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
19.3 mi · 00h 21m
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 Palm Desert and Mostly Sunny near Anaheim.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Palm Desert to Anaheim?
The road trip is about 105.4 miles (169.7 km) and usually takes 01h 54m 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?
Calimesa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 52.9 miles from Palm Desert and 52.6 miles from Anaheim.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 88.7 miles (142.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.7 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 2:40 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.46 one way or $42.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 33.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Palm Desert and Mostly Sunny near Anaheim.
Stop Ideas Near Calimesa
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Brandon's Diner Jr. Of City Hall
Bear Springs Hotel
Best Western Plus Arrowhead Hotel
City Of Redlands
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Calimesa.
Moreno Valley, California
San Bernardino Santa Fe Depot
Cabazon, CA
Perris, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Palm Desert and Anaheim. Straight-line distance: 88.64 mi (142.66 km).
#1 Palm Desert
A city in Riverside County, California.
| Population | 53,524 |
| Coordinates | 33.7225500, -116.3769700 |
| Altitude | 67 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: (-117.914539, 33.835404)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 170 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $21.46 | $42.92 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $22.57 | $45.13 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $23.22 | $46.45 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $28.15 | $56.30 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.