Best Time to Drive from Anaheim to San Diego

Right now (5:15 pm PDT): about 99 minutes via I-5 South, usually 95 at this time.

On weekdays the 96-mile drive from Anaheim to San Diego (via I-5 South) usually takes as little as 87 minutes and up to 127 minutes, when leaving around 3 pm on Fridays. The fastest times to leave are before 6:30 am or after 6 pm. Midday (11 am to 2 pm) it takes about 99 minutes. On weekends it is slowest around 11:30 am on Saturdays (117 minutes).

Drive times are measured from central Anaheim (North Anaheim Boulevard / North Anaheim Boulevard) to downtown San Diego (East Broadway) along the route shown. Starting or ending elsewhere in a big city can add or save several minutes.

Typical drive time by departure time

Minutes from Anaheim to San Diego by day and time you leave (local time)
Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	87	91	100	99	98	92	92	92	92	94	96	96	94	90	88	88	87
Tue	87	93	107	107	100	96	94	94	94	100	109	110	100	92	88	88	87
Wed	87	93	107	107	100	97	94	93	93	101	107	106	98	92	89	88	87
Thu	87	92	104	104	99	96	95	94	95	105	114	116	100	92	89	88	87
Fri	87	91	97	98	97	98	104	109	118	124	127	121	109	95	90	89	88
Sat	87	87	89	92	104	112	116	116	115	114	111	106	98	92	91	89	87
Sun	87	86	87	88	90	95	100	100	99	98	96	95	92	90	91	90	87

Simulated from typical freeway speeds at each point of the drive for the time you would reach it, from every 5-minute reading we have recorded. Surface streets at each end are estimated.

Questions

What is the best time to drive from Anaheim to San Diego?

On weekdays, leave before 6:30 am or after 6 pm. The drive usually takes about 87 minutes then, versus up to 127 minutes at the worst times.

How long does it take to drive from Anaheim to San Diego?

The 96-mile drive usually takes 87 to 127 minutes on weekdays, depending on when you leave, and about 99 minutes midday.

When is traffic worst from Anaheim to San Diego?

Leaving around 3 pm on Fridays is usually slowest, about 127 minutes.

Estimate this drive for any day and departure time →

More drives

San Diego to Anaheim (return trip) · Anaheim to Los Angeles · Anaheim to Santa Monica · Anaheim to Pasadena · Anaheim to Long Beach · Anaheim to Burbank · Anaheim to Glendale · Anaheim to Santa Clarita · Anaheim to Van Nuys · Anaheim to Torrance · Anaheim to LAX · Anaheim to Hollywood

Open the live traffic map →

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	87	91	100	99	98	92	92	92	92	94	96	96	94	90	88	88	87
Tue	87	93	107	107	100	96	94	94	94	100	109	110	100	92	88	88	87
Wed	87	93	107	107	100	97	94	93	93	101	107	106	98	92	89	88	87
Thu	87	92	104	104	99	96	95	94	95	105	114	116	100	92	89	88	87
Fri	87	91	97	98	97	98	104	109	118	124	127	121	109	95	90	89	88
Sat	87	87	89	92	104	112	116	116	115	114	111	106	98	92	91	89	87
Sun	87	86	87	88	90	95	100	100	99	98	96	95	92	90	91	90	87

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	87	91	100	99	98	92	92	92	92	94	96	96	94	90	88	88	87
Tue	87	93	107	107	100	96	94	94	94	100	109	110	100	92	88	88	87
Wed	87	93	107	107	100	97	94	93	93	101	107	106	98	92	89	88	87
Thu	87	92	104	104	99	96	95	94	95	105	114	116	100	92	89	88	87
Fri	87	91	97	98	97	98	104	109	118	124	127	121	109	95	90	89	88
Sat	87	87	89	92	104	112	116	116	115	114	111	106	98	92	91	89	87
Sun	87	86	87	88	90	95	100	100	99	98	96	95	92	90	91	90	87

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	87	91	100	99	98	92	92	92	92	94	96	96	94	90	88	88	87
Tue	87	93	107	107	100	96	94	94	94	100	109	110	100	92	88	88	87
Wed	87	93	107	107	100	97	94	93	93	101	107	106	98	92	89	88	87
Thu	87	92	104	104	99	96	95	94	95	105	114	116	100	92	89	88	87
Fri	87	91	97	98	97	98	104	109	118	124	127	121	109	95	90	89	88
Sat	87	87	89	92	104	112	116	116	115	114	111	106	98	92	91	89	87
Sun	87	86	87	88	90	95	100	100	99	98	96	95	92	90	91	90	87