How far is San Clemente, CA from Anaheim, CA?
The driving distance from San Clemente, CA to Anaheim, CA is about 37.8 miles (60.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 33.1 miles (53.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 20m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
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.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 40m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 Orange 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 San Clemente and Anaheim.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Clemente and Anaheim.
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1
Start on South El Camino Real
116 m · 21 sec · South El Camino Real
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2
Turn left onto Avenida Presidio
159 m · 16 sec · Avenida Presidio
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3
Take the ramp left toward I 5 North: Los Angeles
1139 ft · 30 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
9.7 mi · 11 min · San Diego Freeway
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5
Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway
7.4 mi · 9 min · San Diego Freeway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Bake Parkway
1.6 mi · 2 min
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7
Keep slight right
6 mi · 7 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward Jamboree Road
1266 ft · 17 sec
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9
Continue straight
527 ft · 11 sec
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10
Turn right onto Jamboree Road
760 ft · 18 sec · Jamboree Road
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11
Turn left onto El Camino Real
2.2 mi · 5 min · El Camino Real
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12
Turn left onto Newport Avenue
109 m · 14 sec · Newport Avenue
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13
Take the ramp right toward I 5 North: Los Angeles
1127 ft · 17 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.7 mi · 2 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
5.8 mi · 7 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Lincoln Avenue
1334 ft · 22 sec
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18
Turn right onto West Lincoln Avenue
1.6 km · 3 min · West Lincoln Avenue
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19
Turn right onto South Anaheim Boulevard
113 m · 14 sec · South Anaheim Boulevard
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20
Turn right
61 m · 15 sec
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Clemente 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.
San Diego Freeway
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
9.69 mi · 00h 11m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving San Clemente 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 San Clemente to Anaheim?
The road trip is about 37.8 miles (60.8 km) and usually takes 00h 40m 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?
Laguna Woods is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.1 miles from San Clemente and 18.6 miles from Anaheim.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 33.1 miles (53.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.7 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:10 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.67 one way or $15.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around San Clemente and Mostly Sunny near Anaheim.
Stop Ideas Near Laguna Woods
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Blue Lantern Inn, A Four Sisters Inn
Miraval Life in Balance Spa at Monarch Beach Resort
Newport Beach Municipal Operations
City of Lake Forest
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Laguna Woods.
Irvine Transportation Center
San Juan Capistrano
Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center
San Clemente Pier station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Clemente and Anaheim. Straight-line distance: 33.15 mi (53.35 km).
#1 San Clemente
The most populous city in Orange County, California.
| Population | 64,551 |
| Coordinates | 33.4269700, -117.6119900 |
| Altitude | 71 |
| 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: 61 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $7.67 | $15.35 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $8.07 | $16.14 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $8.30 | $16.61 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $10.06 | $20.13 |
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.