How Bad Is Anaheim Traffic?

Though Anaheim is not in Los Angeles County, it is part of the L.A. metropolitan area, which has the second-worst traffic of any city in the U.S.
Written by Sarah Gray
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
It’s easy to confuse Anaheim with
Los Angeles
, especially where traffic is concerned. As part of the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area, Anaheim experiences the second-worst traffic of any metropolitan area in the U.S. with drivers losing an average of 75 hours to traffic jams and congestion each year.
Anaheim is the place to go for fun in Orange County. It’s home to Disneyland, California Adventure, the Convention Center, and two major sports teams, so people often find themselves heading there for family vacations, weekend getaways, and even work events. While you may be going to Anaheim for a fun time, the number of people surrounding you on the freeway can make the drive anything but enjoyable.
That’s why we've gathered everything you need to know to make driving to and through Anaheim a breeze. Whether you’re headed there for business or pleasure, read on to find out how to avoid the worst traffic in Anaheim.  
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How bad is Anaheim traffic?

We have yet to hear of anyone complimenting the L.A. Metro on its traffic, and that certainly won’t start with Anaheim residents or visitors. The last official census places population numbers in the Greater L.A. Metro at nearly 19 million, making it the second-most populous metro area in the U.S.
In 2021, Greater L.A. Metro drivers experienced an average traffic congestion rate of 33%. That average is the same as what many other major metro areas only see during rush hour, and these numbers are down from those recorded prior to the 2020 Covid-19 shutdowns when average congestion was at 42%
In fact, the only reason Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim didn’t “win” for worst traffic in 2021 is that it hadn’t quite recouped its pre-pandemic averages. But don’t worry—they’re working on it.
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Why is Anaheim traffic so bad?

Anaheim sits in the eye of a perfect storm consisting of high population density, strong tourist draws, and excessive commuter traffic both from locals and from those just traveling through to other parts of Orange County or L.A.

Population size 

Anaheim is not a bedroom community. When compared to other cities in the greater L.A. Metro, it would be easy to assume that Anaheim is small, with its population of less than 350,000. But Anaheim is practically bursting with tourists—approximately 25 million per year. And the #1 mode of transport for those tourists? You guessed it—driving!
Making matters worse, Anaheim’s residents make up less than half of the workforce supporting Anaheim’s businesses. Only about 27% of Anaheim residents actually work in the city; the rest commute out while tens of thousands commute in, and tens of thousands more commute through, making for some practically apocalyptic rush hours.

Major chokepoints

Interstate 5, the Santa Ana Freeway, cuts straight through the middle of Anaheim. As drivers exit Anaheim to the south, they’ll encounter what locals refer to as “The Orange Crush”—the confluence of the 5 with SR-22/Garden Grove Freeway, and SR-57/Orange Freeway. While it’s busy just about anytime, woe to those who approach it on game day, as anyone headed to Anaheim Stadium must first make it through this junction.
Those headed northwest on the 5 have the interchange at SR-91/Artesia/Riverside Fwy to contend with, and heading north is no better as drivers encounter the mass of on- and off-ramps that make up the interchange of SR-91/Riverside Fwy and SR-57/Orange Fwy.

Driving habits

The main complication when it comes to driving in Anaheim is the combination of commuters and tourists. Tourists don’t adhere to the same schedules as people headed to work, and this creates a nearly all-day rush hour. 
MORE: The best type of car insurance to get if you commute long distances
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How to navigate Anaheim traffic like a pro

Getting to know a city’s unique traffic patterns can be difficult—especially if you’re only planning to be there for a few days. Here are a few tips to help you navigate Anaheim traffic like a pro, no matter long you intend to stay:
  • Steer clear of rush hour if possible. Granted, this is next to impossible in Anaheim and the surrounding L.A. Metro, as it really is always busy. However, if you can avoid rush hour, especially the evening rush hour, when congestion reaches its peak of 60% and over, you’ll save yourself, and other drivers, a lot of headaches.
  • Take side roads when you can. Getting off the 5 and other major freeways can save you lots of time.
  • Use a traffic app.
    TomTom
    ,
    Google Maps
    , and
    Waze
    all offer apps that allow you to see real-time traffic information with suggestions to avoid traffic snarls. Local news stations in Orange County also offer individual apps that support traffic updates.
  • Stay calm. Unless you plan to do all your driving between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., you’re going to hit traffic. The best thing you can do is just accept your fate. You will be here for a while, so relax and use the time to be present. 
  • Stay focused and leave space between you and the car ahead of you. Avoid getting lost in your phone or a podcast. Especially in stop-and-go traffic, it’s easy to get distracted and miss the person trying to slip in between you and the car in front of you.

Prepare for Anaheim traffic by updating your car insurance

If Anaheim traffic were a video game, it would be set perpetually on expert level. That’s why, whether you’re headed there for business, pleasure, or a move, you need to be sure you update your
car insurance
policy so it’s up to the task. 
We’ve given you the information you need to upgrade to pro-level for Anaheim driving, so why not let
Jerry
help you upgrade your car insurance as well?
It’s this simple: download the Jerry app or go to getjerry.com. In less than 45 seconds, Jerry collects all of your information from your existing insurer. Choose from competitive quotes from top insurance companies and Jerry takes care of the rest—securing your new policy and helping you cancel your old one upon request. 
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FAQs

It can be, especially if you’re not used to Anaheim’s highway system. However, keeping calm and using a good navigation system should get you through Anaheim without a hitch.
The best times for driving in Anaheim are on weekends and before and after rush hour, so before 7:00 a.m. and after 7:00 p.m. during the week. The hours between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. see lighter traffic than rush hour, but it’s still heavier than usual.
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