What's the drive from Mesa AZ to Anaheim like?

[drinkme]

We're heading to Mesa next week, then driving to Anaheim on 1/29/10. What's the drive like?

TIA

 

[Eeee-va]

I'm from nearly the same area as you'll be coming from (another city east of Phoenix). The drive is boring but not too bad. Weekday rush hour driving from Mesa through Phoenix can be kind of a mess as I understand it, but if you leave after 8:30 (or before 6:30) it shouldn't be too bad. Without traffic and stops it can be as little as 6 hours. We find it's closer to 6:30 or 7. I know some DISers in the Phoenix areas have claimed their trip is more like 5 hours (although you and I have to drive through Phoenix which does take some time ).

Gas is generally a fair amount cheaper in AZ than in CA. We tend to stop for food in CA anyway though--I guess I don't feel like I've gone very far until we're out of the state! Blythe is just across the border and it's certainly not the best place to stop. (We ate at Jack in the Box and while the bathroom wasn't filthy, I was surprised it was in the condition it was in, as usually bathrooms where you have to ask for the key look pretty good inside. )

But there's a lot of options right off the freeway in Blythe. Generally we just drive until we get hungry and then stop at the next town after that.

Have a great trip!

 

[PHXscuba]

We drive essentially this same route at least a couple times a year to visit DL and/or family in the OC area. We usually find getting through and out of Phoenix the worst of the traffic!

The most mind-numbing emptiness (going west) is the stretch between Blythe and Indio. There's nothing out there. After that it gets better in terms of things to look at.

We usually skip Blythe and eat in either Quartzsite or Indio coming and going. I believe that the rest stops in AZ are closed because of budget cuts, so don't count on them -- use the truck stops or Quartzsite.

We used to use US 60 in CA, but have been going straight through on I-10 the last several years while they do major construction on the 60 going through Moreno Valley. I'm not sure if it's finished yet but we have come to prefer the I-10.

PHXscuba

 

[disneyland89]

I live in Tucson, so my drive is a little longer. We do have to go through all of Phoenix which isn't bad if you get there at the right time. (^^^^explained in previous post).

The drive can be boring, but it goes by quick for us. After Phoenix it takes about 6 hours to reach Anaheim. There always seems to be enough gas stations along the way, but not very many places to eat that look decent.

PS- If your not on a tight time scheduele, DF and I LOVE stopping at the General Patton Museum in Chiriaco Summit, CA. You can see it off I-10. Theres lots of old Army tanks and a little museum with old Army memorabilia. Its a really cool pit-stop. Espcially for young boys.

 

[MagicalMomAZ]

I think it's a breeze! LOL! The beach in 7 hrs?? I'm THERE!

PHXScuba is correct..Blyth - Indio is a wasteland & to be honest anything on the side of a CA freeway is so confusing I just stick to what I know. I can't tell if it looks scary, or impossible to find a way back on...so I just don't!

The only time we stopped was for the dinosaurs in Cabazon, CA....cute, but I only need to see it once. We sped through because it was August & our dog was in the car. Typically we bring lunch with & the kids get thru about 3 DVD's.

As far as traffic..I start a tad further west in Scottsdale & honestly, rush hour was never a factor because we leave at the crack of dawn so we can arrive in time.

 

[azdisneylover]

The drive from Phoenix to Anaheim is boring, but, keep your eyes open for the speed cameras out there on the AZ side! There are permanent ones, and ones they move. Look for the signs, otherwise, you are looking at a $186.00 ticket! AZ speed is 75 and CA is 70.
We usually stop at Flying Js to gas up, get a bite to eat at Wendys and use the restrooms since the state budget forced most of the rest areas to be closed. (I feel bad for all the 18 wheel truckers out there who have to find other places to stop). Depending on when you go, AZ is ahead of CA time wise, so you will "gain" an hour.
Have a great time!

 

[disneynerd420]

I will be driving there this coming friday from Chandler AZ, but I can't say anything that has not been said.

I take the 60 to the 10 and stop off in quartzite. I always stop at the Loves truck stop that has a subway and a chicken place. It is almost a little past quartzite but you can see the sign from the freeway. The price for gas is reasonable and they have a large variety of drinks and snacks to stock up on. I have started many a trip to CA with a footlong from the 24 hour subway there.

After I leave Quartzite, I go straight through Blythe and Indio and keep going until I hit Cabazon. As you are nearing Cabazon, you will begin to notice windmills covering the surrounding mountains and valleys. This makes driving a little bit more difficult as it is a very windy area.

I always stop in Cabazon to go see the dinosaurs and eat at the wheel in diner next door. It is the diner where Large Marge sent Pee Wee Herman in Pee Wee's Big Adventure. Go in there and tell them Large Marge sent you... I guarantee they don't hear that every day.

After the diner I gas up at one of the close by gas stations and from that point I head straight to Anaheim.

The drive can be boring, but I find that it is not too bad. The worse thing that I ever experienced was when I was coming back from DLR and we got stuck on the 10 for about 2 hours due to an accident. Traffic was backed up for miles!

I say, don't drink too much water before leaving Quartzite, since it is a while to Indio, and bring an Ipod and car adapter. It is very much needed.

 

[stitch1986]

I will be driving there this coming friday from Chandler AZ, but I can't say anything that has not been said.

I take the 60 to the 10 and stop off in quartzite. I always stop at the Loves truck stop that has a subway and a chicken place. It is almost a little past quartzite but you can see the sign from the freeway. The price for gas is reasonable and they have a large variety of drinks and snacks to stock up on. I have started many a trip to CA with a footlong from the 24 hour subway there.

After I leave Quartzite, I go straight through Blythe and Indio and keep going until I hit Cabazon. As you are nearing Cabazon, you will begin to notice windmills covering the surrounding mountains and valleys. This makes driving a little bit more difficult as it is a very windy area.

I always stop in Cabazon to go see the dinosaurs and eat at the wheel in diner next door. It is the diner where Large Marge sent Pee Wee Herman in Pee Wee's Big Adventure. Go in there and tell them Large Marge sent you... I guarantee they don't hear that every day.

After the diner I gas up at one of the close by gas stations and from that point I head straight to Anaheim.

The drive can be boring, but I find that it is not too bad. The worse thing that I ever experienced was when I was coming back from DLR and we got stuck on the 10 for about 2 hours due to an accident. Traffic was backed up for miles!

I say, don't drink too much water before leaving Quartzite, since it is a while to Indio, and bring an Ipod and car adapter. It is very much needed.

oh lucky you leave fri i still have 17 days for mine lol I have never drove from AZ to DL I would like to but I would not feel comfortable going solo driving though. lol

 

[Peri]

I am in Gilbert and it takes 6 hours max from my house to the hotels. I often drive over alone, as I have a friend in LA to visit - I leave before 5 am and there is never traffic, so just buzz through Phoenix. 60 to the 10 then you are on your way. Always stop at the same gas station in Indio and grab a sandwich in Indio - not by the freeway - I get off the highway at Jefferson or Jackson (can't recall the name of the street - but it's one of those) and drive over the railroad tracks - then turn parallel to the freeway, get my gas and food, turn back towards the freeway and get on at next entrance. It is a very fast deal and I count that in the 6 hours. Also if you leave early like I do, you will get into LA in mid morning with much less traffic there, too.

I go to LA and Anaheim four times a year.

 

[Kayla's Mom]

I will be driving there this coming friday from Chandler AZ, but I can't say anything that has not been said.

I take the 60 to the 10 and stop off in quartzite. I always stop at the Loves truck stop that has a subway and a chicken place. It is almost a little past quartzite but you can see the sign from the freeway. The price for gas is reasonable and they have a large variety of drinks and snacks to stock up on. I have started many a trip to CA with a footlong from the 24 hour subway there.

After I leave Quartzite, I go straight through Blythe and Indio and keep going until I hit Cabazon. As you are nearing Cabazon, you will begin to notice windmills covering the surrounding mountains and valleys. This makes driving a little bit more difficult as it is a very windy area.

I always stop in Cabazon to go see the dinosaurs and eat at the wheel in diner next door. It is the diner where Large Marge sent Pee Wee Herman in Pee Wee's Big Adventure. Go in there and tell them Large Marge sent you... I guarantee they don't hear that every day.

After the diner I gas up at one of the close by gas stations and from that point I head straight to Anaheim.

The drive can be boring, but I find that it is not too bad. The worse thing that I ever experienced was when I was coming back from DLR and we got stuck on the 10 for about 2 hours due to an accident. Traffic was backed up for miles!

I say, don't drink too much water before leaving Quartzite, since it is a while to Indio, and bring an Ipod and car adapter. It is very much needed.

Hi to my fellow Arizonans!

Hey Disneynerd! We are leaving Friday too! We decided yesterday to squeeze in one last trip before our APs expire on Sunday. Maybe we will see you! If you see my TEACUPS license plate - give us a wave!

 

[drinkme]

Thanks everyone!

We are leaving next week Friday for Anaheim, and the calendar says Disneyland is open until midnight that night. We thought we could get a late start for the drive.

I'm definitely writing down & googling these places. And it seems we need to stay away from Blythe...lol. We live in Chicago, so I know all about not stoping at seedy looking places (though dh stops anywhere, he doesn't care).

I'll report back and let everyone know how the drive went. Last month, I told dh it was only a 5 hour drive. I guess I'll have to let him know it's a bit further. We were going to just fly there, but we thought driving would be quicker.

 

[drinkme]

OK, I just googled Cabazon, and now I'm excited to see the dinosaurs and eat at the Wheel Inn! The kids are going to love it. Thanks for the info!

 

[Disneyfun1]

Cabazon has a great outlet mall with Coach stores, Nike and more. Right off the freeway. About 30 mins before that, you will hit In-N-Out Burger if you get the urge. Best burgers anyplace! We leave Phoenix for Disneyland in 38 days, cant wait! Be safe on your drive.

 

[Meriweather]

Thanks for the info.
We haven't moved yet, but when we do, we plan to drive (from Chandler) and all the info is most helpful.

 

[disneynerd420]

Hi to my fellow Arizonans!

Hey Disneynerd! We are leaving Friday too! We decided yesterday to squeeze in one last trip before our APs expire on Sunday. Maybe we will see you! If you see my TEACUPS license plate - give us a wave!

OH IT IS ON! I will be the one honking like crazy in a gunmetal toyota corrola.

 

[PHXscuba]

We have been doing this drive for the last 11 years with kids as young as 6 weeks old, so I think I've stopped at every possible rest stop, truck stop, fast-food restaurant, gas station, etc. along I-10. I even got brave and took my kids w/o DH last summer because I know the route so well.

Ehrenberg (in AZ just before the CA state line) has cheaper gas, but the truck stop there is always majorly busy. Blythe isn't horrible itself, but the gas is way more pricey. Plus we had a car problem and had to spend the night there about 10 years ago (with the aforementioned 6-week-old and a 3-year-old), so I'm biased.

There is a town about halfway between Blythe and Indio called Desert Center. It has funky palm trees arranged near the freeway, one of life's mysteries. The area looks almost abandoned, but I found out the little diner there has a fairly clean bathroom if you are in a real pinch. If you can make it a little further to Chiriaco Summit, there's a Chevron there for gas/snacks/bathroom. Traveling across the desert with small kids is always an adventure!

If the 60 in CA has construction finished (anyone know?), it's a pretty drive for the first part down through some rolling hills.

I would leave early enough that you're not caught in the Riverside area at afternoon rush hour. That's the other place we have really gotten gummed up with traffic.

Best of luck,
PHXscuba

 

[disneynerd420]

I usually leave round 4:00 AM. I just though I should throw that in there!

 

[Kayla's Mom]

OH IT IS ON! I will be the one honking like crazy in a gunmetal toyota corrola.

We aren't leaving until late afternoon though, unfortunately DH has to work. We have a jeep grand cherokee.

 

[Kayla's Mom]

I usually leave round 4:00 AM. I just though I should throw that in there!

We were posting at the same time-- we will miss you by about 12 hours....darn!

 

[disneynerd420]

We were posting at the same time-- we will miss you by about 12 hours....darn!

Well darn... I will have my lime green mickey head on my lanyard and backpack, so maybe we will see each other in the parks! Either way, I hope you have a great trip and a safe drive!