How far between San Diego and Disneyland?

[roxysmum123]

Hi all

I'll be travelling to San Diego in October and would LOVE to tack a day onto my trip to make a pilgrimage to Disneyland. Just wondering if it's possible to go there for one day and drive between the two??

 

[JH87]

Just took a the trip from Anaheim to San Diego last month. Took us less than 2 hours for sure depending on time of day and traffic.

 

[Padrepride]

From downtown San Diego, you're probably looking at about a 2 hour drive. I live in North County, close to Escondido, and it only takes me about an hour and half. A day trip to Disneyland is definitely possible. If you are driving in the morning, the traffic gets held up sometimes at the split of the 5 and the 405 freeways. Have a great time!!

 

[Disney Dreams]

It is absolutely possible. The above posters have given you a sense of distance/time. My one tip is to avoid 7am-9am and 4:30pm-7pm on the road or your commute will be MUCH longer.

- Dreams

 

[roxysmum123]

Thanks everyone! While I have your attention.... should I bring my GPS with me? I'm concerned the roadways will confuse me (I live near Toronto so I'm used to busy streets) and not sure how well marked routes are??

 

[DebbieB]

I once drove San Diego to Anaheim on a business trip. It was a beautiful drive and about 2 hours. It was a straight shot on I-5, I don't think you need a GPS but if you have a portable one it doesn't hurt to bring it.

 

[Padrepride]

A GPS isn't really necessary. The streets are all pretty well marked. Just keep on the 5 all the way up to Anaheim. Again, depending on where you are coming from in San Diego, you may have to take some freeways, probably the 8, 52, 56, or the 78, to reach the 5 freeway. And then you can just get off at Disney Way, Harbor Blvd, or Ball Road and then you'll be at the resort! If you look at a map or mapquest it online, you should be fine

 

[gundo870]

I say go for it!

San Diego is relatively close to DLand and I am sure you will regret it if you didn't drive up. It will be a long day driving back and fourth though if you spent all day at the parks. IMHO

I don't think GPS is necessary, however I would bring it just in case.

 

[Tink-aholic]

It is absolutely possible. The above posters have given you a sense of distance/time. My one tip is to avoid 7am-9am and 4:30pm-7pm on the road or your commute will be MUCH longer.

- Dreams

Agreed. And don't go on weekends. We drove from Anaheim to San Diego in just under two hours on a Friday, but the trip back on a Saturday took six.

 

[Rhonna]

I stayed with a friend in San Diego once and a group of us went to DL for the day. We were supposed to leave early but the others didn't get up early, so I was DYING to get going.

We left after the morning commute. Spent the day at DL and drove back the same night. But NOT on a weekend.

I've been plenty of times before so it wasn't a big deal. Waited in a lot of lines. Longest was Indy since it was relatively new. But we still felt like we got to do a lot.

Of course, that was before DCA opened so we only went to DL.

Another friend once took the bus from San Diego since she had no one to go with.

 

[roxysmum123]

Hmm maybe I'll try to get two extra days off work and fly in Sunday night to LA, stay at a hotel near Disney Sunday and Monday and do the parks Monday and Tuesday then drive up to San Diego on Wednesday morning.... *sigh* decisions decisions.

 

[Squirrel!!!]

I live in San Diego towards the center, about 1.5 miles from downtown and have made the drive to DL in as short as 70 minutes (it was 4AM on a Sunday going to the AP Christmas sale) and as long as 3 hours (leaving at EXACTLY the wrong time on a Saturday to hit DelMar racetrack traffic).

I live officially 98 miles from DL and drive like a crazed mad woman. Okay, I drive like a native, which means, 80mph most of the time.

Keep in mind if you are driving into San Diego Wednesday morning, during commuter rush hour, the roads coming south into SD can be pretty slow. Not always. A coworker drives from San Marcos to almost downtown and it can take 25 minutes, it can take over an hour.

Joys of S. CA driving.

But, if you are here, you really MUST go to DL.

 

[maryrm]

we just did this drive last week! we left SanDiego on a tuesday and got to Anaheim in less than 2 hrs. There was no traffic and a very easy trip - you can definitely do it in a day. however, we stayed in dl for a couple of days.

have fun.

 

[JH87]

It's always better to be safe than sorry! Bring your GPS just in case.

 

[ConnieB]

If you have an easy-to-travel-with GPS, I'd bring it along. I noticed that all the folks saying "not necessary" seem to live in that area....yeah, it's easy to get around when you know all the different freeways, lol. And Southern California has several dozen major freeways all criss crossing each other. And mind you, I lived in Southern California for 4 years about 20+ years ago and yet I still prefer to have my GPS with me. It's usually more for reassurance but if you're not familiar with an area, then why not carry a small GPS with you to make life a tad bit easier.

As for your decisions.....while it's definitely possible to drive from Anaheim to San Diego in about 2 hours....remember that for a day trip that means 2 hours returning driving as well. The morning commute up to Disneyland is an easy one....your fresh and rested, your exicted to get to Disney, etc....the drive home however, your feet and back are aching from hours and hours and hours walking, running, riding and standing at Disneyland. That 2 hours is going to feel like a lot longer....not to mention if you want to get the most out of your day at Disney you are going to want to do rope drop to close, or 8-10 hours....plus 4 hours drive time?


So...I'd try for the extra time to be able to stay near Disney for a short time.

Caveat: Of course, I'm old now...I don't do all nighters anymore, lol. Though back in the day, I can recall more than once getting off work on Friday in San Francisco and a friend and I driving through the night to Disney (about 6 hours or so)...sleeping in the car for a couple hours (back in the days when it was safe to do so, and no one shooed you away)....do Disney all day and drive home again, to crash until time to go to work Monday morning, lol. But, no way now, lol.

 

[roxysmum123]

I'm going to look into staying a day or two in the Disneyland area before the conference starts. It'd just be a shame to be in California and NOT go since I don't know if i'd ever be back there.

 

[mrswh]

We have done the San Diego/Anaheim trip a few times. I would not drive back and forth in one day unless you have no other choice. If you can fly into SNA and stay in Anaheim for a night or two, then drive to San Diego for your stay there and fly out of SAN (or vice versa), that would be the most efficient (and fun and relaxing!) way to do it.

 

[disneylandkitkat]

there a super 8 off katella walking distance from the park. very good rates if you book at least three weeks out. Ranges rouhly between 40 - 60 dollars a night. good if your just looking for somewhere to sleep.

 

[Rhonna]

I'm going to look into staying a day or two in the Disneyland area before the conference starts. It'd just be a shame to be in California and NOT go since I don't know if i'd ever be back there.

Now I'm getting the impression you haven't been to DL or it's been quite awhile?

If that is the case and you can manage it, I would definitely try to stay nearby. I would want to do as much as I could in both parks in that scenario.