Disneyland sits around 27 to 30 miles from central Los Angeles, usually a 35 to 45 minute drive without heavy traffic.
If you are planning a Southern California trip, the distance between Los Angeles and Disneyland decides how early you wake up, which hotel you book, and how late you stay for the last parade. The question “how far is disneyland from los angeles?” sounds simple, yet the answer shifts a bit from one neighborhood, airport, or freeway to another.
This guide lays out clear distances, typical drive times, and simple transport choices so you can pick the route that matches your plans, budget, and energy level. You will see how far the park is from popular Los Angeles spots like LAX, Hollywood, and Santa Monica, plus tips on when to leave and how to dodge the harshest traffic windows.
How Far Is Disneyland From Los Angeles? Drive Times And Distance
Disneyland Resort sits in Anaheim, in Orange County, south of Los Angeles. From downtown Los Angeles to the Disneyland entrance, most mapping tools list a road distance of around 27 miles, usually along Interstate 5. On a light traffic day that stretch takes around 35 minutes; during rush hour the same road can stretch past an hour.
Because visitors stay all over the region, it helps to compare the distance to Disneyland from a few common starting points around Los Angeles.
| Starting Point | Approx. Distance To Disneyland | Typical Drive Time (Light Traffic) |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Los Angeles (City Hall area) | 27 miles / 43 km | 35–45 minutes |
| Hollywood (Hollywood & Highland) | 32 miles / 51 km | 45–60 minutes |
| Santa Monica Pier | 40 miles / 64 km | 55–75 minutes |
| Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) | 34–40 miles / 55–64 km | 45–90 minutes |
| Burbank / Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) | 40 miles / 64 km | 55–80 minutes |
| Pasadena (Old Town) | 36 miles / 58 km | 45–70 minutes |
| Long Beach (Downtown) | 20 miles / 32 km | 30–40 minutes |
These numbers assume clear roads. During the weekday morning and late afternoon rush, the drive from Los Angeles to Disneyland can double in length, especially from coastal areas like Santa Monica or from LAX.
Distance From Los Angeles To Disneyland By Route
Most visitors use Interstate 5, since this highway runs almost straight between downtown Los Angeles and Anaheim. If your hotel sits near Union Station or the Historic Core, you will likely join I-5 south near the Eastside, then follow it until the exits for Disneyland Drive or Harbor Boulevard appear on the signs.
From the west side, such as Santa Monica or Venice, drivers often link to I-10 east before dropping down on I-5 or State Route 57. This adds a few miles yet can help when one freeway clogs up. From the San Fernando Valley or Burbank, routes usually run along US-101 or State Route 170 to join I-5 south.
The official Disneyland Resort driving directions break down the main freeway approaches and current parking options. Checking those directions together with a live map app shortly before you leave gives you a solid mix of clear instructions and real-time traffic data.
Public Transport Distance And Time Between Los Angeles And Disneyland
If you prefer not to drive, you still need a sense of how far Disneyland is from Los Angeles so you can judge train, bus, or shuttle times. Rail lines do not reach the park gates, yet they bring you close enough that a short bus ride or rideshare trip finishes the route.
Train From Downtown Los Angeles
From Los Angeles Union Station, Metrolink and Amtrak trains run toward Anaheim and Fullerton. Ride time to Anaheim Station often sits near half an hour on faster services, and a local bus or short rideshare ride then brings you to the park entrance within another 15 to 25 minutes.
Bus And Shuttle From Los Angeles Areas
Regional buses link downtown Los Angeles to Anaheim, including routes that stop near the resort. These rides cost less than private shuttles yet can take close to two hours once frequent stops and traffic lights near the resort enter the picture.
Hotel shuttles and private vans often run from major airports or from clusters of Los Angeles hotels. The drive from LAX to Disneyland is around 34 to 40 miles, so shared vans often quote arrival windows around one to one and a half hours. Many visitors like this option after a long flight because they can rest instead of watching every lane change on I-105 or I-405.
Best Time To Drive From Los Angeles To Disneyland
The distance between Los Angeles and Disneyland never changes, yet the time it takes to handle those miles shifts hour by hour. Southern California traffic flows in waves tied to work hours, school runs, and weekend beach trips.
Think of three parts to the travel day: early morning, daytime peak, and late evening. Early weekday mornings before about 7:00 a.m. often move fastest on the freeways heading toward Anaheim. Late evening after 8:00 or 9:00 p.m. can also feel smoother, though overnight lane closures sometimes slow things down.
| Departure Time From Los Angeles | Typical Drive Time To Disneyland | Traffic Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Before 6:30 a.m. | 30–40 minutes | Often the fastest window on weekdays |
| 6:30–9:30 a.m. | 45–75 minutes | Morning commute toward job centers |
| 9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. | 35–55 minutes | Mixed flow, mid-day delays near interchanges |
| 2:30–7:30 p.m. | 55–90 minutes | Afternoon rush and evening events |
| After 7:30 p.m. | 35–60 minutes | Calmer flow, watch for road work |
A big sports game or concert in downtown Los Angeles or Inglewood pushes more cars toward the freeways, and storms slow speeds as well. Check a live map before you leave, especially when you hold time-sensitive bookings like dining reservations inside the resort.
Distance Between Los Angeles And Disneyland For Different Trips
The same 27 to 30 mile gap feels different for a one-day visit, a weeklong stay, or a work trip with a spare day for rides. Thinking through your group and your schedule helps that distance feel manageable instead of tiring.
Day Trip From Los Angeles
For many travelers staying in Los Angeles, Disneyland works as a day trip. If you leave downtown before sunrise on a weekday, you can park near opening time and still ride headliners before the lines grow. The return drive often lands in the late evening window once fireworks end, which works well for traffic yet can feel tiring for drivers.
Staying Near Disneyland With A Los Angeles Stop
Plenty of visitors flip the picture: they stay in Anaheim for a few nights and visit Los Angeles sights as side trips. Since Disneyland sits close to several freeways, you can drive north for a studio tour, a Hollywood sign viewpoint, or a Santa Monica sunset, then head back to the same hotel.
Airport Arrivals And Departures
Many long-haul flights land at LAX, which sits 34 to 40 miles from the resort depending on the route. According to some airport transfer guides, the drive from LAX to Disneyland normally takes 45 minutes to an hour and a half, with longer times on Friday afternoons. John Wayne Airport in Orange County lies closer to the parks, around 15 miles away, and the official Disneyland by-plane page outlines ground transport options from this airport.
Practical Tips For The Los Angeles To Disneyland Drive
Once you know how far disneyland is from los angeles, a few small choices can turn the drive into an easy start instead of a stressful scramble. These tips apply whether you rent a car, use a rideshare service, or ride with a shuttle.
Plan Your Departure Around Park Hours
Check the park calendar, then work backward from opening time. If gates open at 8:00 a.m., many locals aim to leave downtown Los Angeles by 6:30 a.m. or earlier. This timing keeps you out of the sharpest rush while still landing you near the front entrance not long after security lines begin to build.
Pick The Right Lane And Exit
Along I-5 southbound, stay alert as you pass through the stretch where several freeways merge. Overhead signs for Disneyland and Anaheim resort areas appear well before the actual exit. Staying in the middle lanes gives you more time to shift to the correct ramp without sudden lane changes.
Balance Parking Cost And Convenience
Parking at the official structures near Disneyland costs more than some off-site lots yet shortens the walk or tram ride to the entrance. Off-site lots and hotels often offer lower daily rates or bundled parking with a room. Since the distance from Los Angeles to Disneyland is already fixed, this choice mostly affects your steps once you reach Anaheim.
Use The Distance To Plan Meals And Breaks
The 27 to 30 mile drive leaves enough time for a light breakfast in the car or a snack on the way home. Pack simple, non-messy food and water, especially if you expect a longer drive window during peak traffic.
Young kids and older relatives handle the day better when the drive bookends feel calm. A quick stop for restrooms or coffee near Anaheim is often worth the few minutes, since it keeps everyone comfortable for the last stretch and for the first hour in the park.
Once you know “how far is disneyland from los angeles?” and how long the roads take, it becomes easy to shape a trip that well matches your group. Plan for the longer end of the drive ranges, watch traffic, and the distance turns from a question mark on a map into a part of the day’s plan.