Thinking about driving from Arizona to Disneyland, need help!

[sarasmom97]

DD and I are planning a December trip. I can't find any decent priced flights for the time we want to go. So I'm considering .....driving.
I don't really enjoy driving, it's just a necessary evil as far as I'm concerned.

We would probably leave really early on a Thursday morning (5-6 am). I know its about 6+ hours drive.

What I'm looking for are step by step, detailed directions from Mesa to the Best Western Anaheim Inn on Harbor. Also maybe some confidence that I can do this without freaking out in the traffic, lol!

I have been with someone else driving in the past, but I didn't pay much attention to the turns and what not.

Thanks in advance if you can help me with this.

 

[olivejuice]

I drive from Kansas every time. I stop in Flagstaff and sleep. then wake up, and hit the road by 9 a.m and get there at 3 or 4. It is the best part of my trip. You just have to drive through some mountains. small ones. But what i do is go on to Mapquest.com and get my directions and print them out. It tells you each step. I like it. And you get to drive there during the day and i always think its easier than at night. Have fun! from mesa you can pretty much take the 10 all the way!

 

[DangerMouse]

Yep, pretty much the 10 all the way.

From Mesa you would take the 60 to the 10. Take the 10 West to the 57. Take the 57 south to Ball, exit at Ball (turn right) and turn left onto Harbor Blvd. BW Anaheim Inn is on the left side just past the DLR pedestrian entrance.

I have found google maps as a good reference.

 

[Calliaz]

Don't freak out! It really is very easy and, honestly, the freeways are not harder to use than our local ones. Occasionally they travel faster.

I would recommend using Google maps, click "Get Directions" and enter your start and end addresses. You'll receive turn-by-turn directions. You can even see pictures of most of the freeway changes as there are a couple of times you need to ensure you are in the correct lane.

You need to start off on the 60, then take I-10 through Phoenix (take the tunnel) and out.

Once you hit Beaumont, you need to start looking for the first freeway split. You want to that the US60 - Riverside ramp on the left hand side.

After about 23 miles, you'll need to take a ramp on the right side for the 91S - Beach Cities/Riverside.

After about 30 miles, you'll need to take the exit for the 57 south. The exit is on the right side, but stay in the leftmost lane that is marked "Santa Ana".

Keep on the 57 until you get to Katella. Get off at Katella and go right. Go about 2 miles to Harbor and take another Right. The BW is on your right hand side a little bit up the street.

 

[DangerMouse]

While our family normally does the Riverside route mentioned above when dh is driving, if I were driving alone with the kids, I would seriously consider sticking to the 10 to 57 route since there are less interchanges and the 60 to 91 interchange is just about the scariest thing I've ever experienced on CA Freeways.

 

[azdisneylover]

We would probably leave really early on a Thursday morning (5-6 am). I know its about 6+ hours drive.

What I'm looking for are step by step, detailed directions from Mesa to the Best Western Anaheim Inn on Harbor. Also maybe some confidence that I can do this without freaking out in the traffic, lol!

I would suggest leaving in the morning an hour earlier (4-5 instead of 5-6), because the traffice getting out of Maricopa County would be a bit lighter, and you gain an hour once you cross into Ca! (Unfortunately you will lose it once you cross back into AZ).
I would stop and gas up/bathroom break, etc at Flying Js-right before you get to the AZ/CA border.
As for driving in CA traffic, keep with the flow and if you aren't ready to drive 20+ over the speed limit, please stay out of the left lane. Keep in mind, no matter what lane you drive in, you will not be driving fast enough for some people! Put on your favorite driving music, have a cold bottle of water, or soda, take deep breaths and smile, because you are going to Disneyland! Driving in CA is similar to driving in AZ with snowbirds, nascar fans, spring training fans, and superbowl fans all rolled into one.
Linda

 

[sarasmom97]

While our family normally does the Riverside route mentioned above when dh is driving, if I were driving alone with the kids, I would seriously consider sticking to the 10 to 57 route since there are less interchanges and the 60 to 91 interchange is just about the scariest thing I've ever experienced on CA Freeways.

Yes, I think I remember that interchange being really tricky when i have gone with friends.

Thanks everyone for all your info and votes of confidence. I will keep looking for cheap flights, but at least I can keep the idea of driving as an option.

Cathy

 

[PHXscuba]

I second DangerMouse's tip to avoid the 60 in California. Not only does that mean more interchanges, but (unless they've totally finished it in the last couple months) part of that stretch is a perma-construction nightmare!

Google Maps is good because you can see the route it picks for you, then drag the route to what you want it to be, and it prints all the directions based on how you customize it. So if it wants you to take the 60, drag that section back up to the 10 and it will automatically adjust.

And yes, flights to CA are getting pricey. Anywhere near the holidays is likely to be even worse. Plus they you have to rely on shuttles or cabs or rent a car (which to me would be worse than driving from AZ because you have an unfamiliar car and traffic near the airports).

Lotsa luck!
PHXscuba
"You can't have everything -- besides, where would you put it all?"

 

[jasy]

I can't help you much with directions but Google Maps is your BestFriend! When we drove from AZ I looked it up and got perfect directions right to our hotel.

Have fun on your trip!

 

[medievaldave]

BUY A GARMIN. I have one and its well worth it. easy to use

 

[pinktink83]

We're in Mesa, too, its not so bad of a drive. Its pretty much a straight shot over...no cliffs, no bridges, just desert.

Are you sure you can't find decent flights? Southwest usually has tickets for $69 each way to LAX if you order them at least 4-6 weeks in advance. And rental cars are only $25 a day.

We also have a Garmin and LOVE IT! You can find a decent one for $100-200 and it is SO worth it!!! The one thing you have to be careful of though, is that it likes to send you home on the 60 for some reason (which like other posters said, is a nightmare!!!) Stay on the I-10!!!

 

[sarasmom97]

Are you sure you can't find decent flights? Southwest usually has tickets for $69 each way to LAX if you order them at least 4-6 weeks in advance. And rental cars are only $25 a day.

I've been checking for weeks, best price is almost $400 for the 2 of us. I have Southwest Ding!, so I check every day.

 

[mnmrmustard]

Well it sounds like you've gotten a lot of good advice already so I'll just echo pinktink83's thoughts about getting a GPS. We have a Magellin and it has proved very helpful on trips to new places

Oh, and I used to live in Tucson and we did a big blowout trip to San Diego/LA hitting Sea World, Knotts Berry Farm, Lion Country Safari, and of course Disneyland when I was a kid

Great memories and I know you'll create some great ones for yourselves!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I've driven that route plenty of times, going & returning from El Paso (& with two young kids). You can do it.

Personally, I would stay on the 10, and not use the 60. The 60 goes through hills & those trucks drive fast. The 10 just seems to be more straightforward & easier to navigate for me, and faster than going via the 60 -- my own personal experience.

As the others said, if you take this route: 10 west to 57 south, get off on Ball & turn right, drive to Harbor Blvd & turn left.

Have a great time!

 

[mikayla73]

Another one for the 10 to 57. We used to drive through Riverside, but as everyone mentioned the exits and construction are terrible. Not to mention that has got to be the bumpiest road for a freeway!

We always stop in Quartzite for gas, more water and such. Don't wait until you get to CA to get gas. It seems like the gas stations just across the border are crazy expensive. We found the ones in Blythe more expensive than in Anaheim!

Since we moved to AZ, we never fly to DL. It's too close to just drive, then we don't have to go through the hassle of flying and renting a car. It's always cheaper for us to drive, even if we get $69 flights because we can go for around $100 in gas. Plus by the time we get to the airport early to check in, get there, and get out of the airport, it's not really much longer to drive. It's a really easy drive, plus my cell phone works the entire way. Which is good to have just in case.

We're driving out again in Dec too! I can't wait!

 

[Donald's Fan in PHX!]

Yep, pretty much the 10 all the way.

From Mesa you would take the 60 to the 10. Take the 10 West to the 57. Take the 57 south to Ball, exit at Ball (turn right) and turn left onto Harbor Blvd. BW Anaheim Inn is on the left side just past the DLR pedestrian entrance.

I have found google maps as a good reference.

This sums it up well. Also, its really not too bad. I only tried it once and its a nice trip.