How far is San Mateo, CA from Anaheim, CA?
The driving distance from San Mateo, CA to Anaheim, CA is about 399.7 miles (643.2 km), with a travel time of about 06h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 357.1 miles (574.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 53m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 06h 26m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Census-designated place in Kings County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Mateo and Anaheim.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Mateo and Anaheim.
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1
Start on South El Camino Real
29 m · 7 sec · South El Camino Real
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2
Turn right onto East 3rd Avenue
2254 ft · 50 sec · East 3rd Avenue
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3
Turn right onto South Delaware Street
114 m · 15 sec · South Delaware Street
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4
Turn left onto East 4th Avenue
954 ft · 29 sec · East 4th Avenue
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5
Keep slight left to continue on East 4th Avenue
785 ft · 20 sec · East 4th Avenue
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6
Take the ramp slight right toward US 101 South: San Jose
1407 ft · 39 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Bayshore Freeway
17.3 mi · 20 min · Bayshore Freeway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Bayshore Freeway
42.4 mi · 49 min · Bayshore Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward CA 152 East: 10th Street, Pacheco Pass Road
1539 ft · 40 sec
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10
Turn left onto East 10th Street
108 m · 13 sec · East 10th Street
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11
Continue on Pacheco Pass Highway
40.6 mi · 50 min · Pacheco Pass Highway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 5: Los Angeles
3148 ft · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
181.1 mi · 3 hr 14 min · Westside Freeway
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14
Keep slight right
58.4 mi · 1 hr 7 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Golden State Freeway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on I 405 South
1354 ft · 18 sec
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17
Keep slight left
24.7 mi · 29 min
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Golden State Freeway
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19
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
20.7 mi · 24 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward Lincoln Avenue
2410 ft · 33 sec
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21
Turn left onto West Lincoln Avenue
1.3 mi · 4 min · West Lincoln Avenue
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22
Turn right onto South Anaheim Boulevard
113 m · 14 sec · South Anaheim Boulevard
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23
Turn right
61 m · 15 sec
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Mateo and Anaheim.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Westside Freeway
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
181 mi · 03h 14m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny leaving San Mateo and Sunny near Anaheim.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Mateo to Anaheim?
The road trip is about 399.7 miles (643.2 km) and usually takes 06h 26m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Kettleman City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 197.4 miles from San Mateo and 202.2 miles from Anaheim.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 357.1 miles (574.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.6 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 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM PDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $81.34 one way or $162.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 125.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny around San Mateo and Sunny near Anaheim.
Stop Ideas Near Kettleman City
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Kettleman City.
Kettleman City, California
Lemoore, California
Corcoran station
Lemoore (Naval Air Station), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Mateo and Anaheim. Straight-line distance: 357.11 mi (574.72 km).
#1 San Mateo
The second most populous city in San Mateo County, California.
| Population | 102,398 |
| Coordinates | 37.5629900, -122.3255300 |
| Altitude | 13 |
| 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: 643 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 13h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 42m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $81.34 | $162.69 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $85.53 | $171.06 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $88.03 | $176.05 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $106.69 | $213.39 |
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 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.