So, you’re standing in the middle of Main Street, U.S.A., with a churro in one hand and a map in the other, wondering if you can realistically see Megatron and Mickey in the same breath. It's the classic Southern California dilemma. You’ve got two of the biggest theme park titans on the planet sitting in the same general corner of the world.
Honestly, though? They aren't exactly next-door neighbors.
If you’re asking how far is universal studios california from disneyland, the answer is roughly 35 miles. Simple, right? On a map, it’s a straight shot up the I-5. In reality, it’s a psychological battle against some of the most notorious pavement in America.
The Brutal Reality of the 35-Mile Trek
Don't let that "35 miles" number fool you. In most parts of the country, 35 miles is a breezy 30-minute drive. In Los Angeles, it’s a variable. If you leave at 3:00 AM like a crazy person, you’ll be at the Universal City gates in about 40 minutes.
But you probably aren't doing that.
Most travelers are trying to make the jump during peak hours. If you pull out of your Anaheim hotel at 7:30 AM, you are headed straight into the belly of the beast. We’re talking about the convergence of the 5 and the 101. During rush hour, that "quick trip" can easily balloon into a 90-minute or even a two-hour ordeal.
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- Distance: Approximately 35–36 miles.
- Best Case Scenario: 45 minutes (late night or very early morning).
- Standard Reality: 1 hour 15 minutes.
- The "L.A. Special": 2+ hours if there’s a fender bender near Downtown.
It’s basically a tale of two counties. You’re moving from the relative suburban sprawl of Orange County into the dense, hilly heart of Los Angeles County.
Transportation Options: From Ubers to "The Train"
Most people just bite the bullet and drive. If you have a rental car, you’re in control, but you’re also the one paying $30+ for parking at both ends. It adds up.
Rideshares like Uber and Lyft are incredibly common here. Expect to pay anywhere from $60 to $120 one way depending on the "surge." Pro tip: check both apps. Sometimes one is significantly cheaper for the exact same route. If you’re traveling with a group of four, the cost actually starts to make sense compared to individual shuttle tickets.
Can you take the train?
Surprisingly, yes. It's actually a bit of a local secret for those who hate traffic. You can take the Metrolink (Orange County Line) or the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner from the Anaheim ARTIC station to L.A. Union Station.
Once you’re at Union Station, you hop on the Metro B Line (the Red Line). It drops you right at Universal City. There’s a free shuttle at the bottom of the hill that zips you up to the park entrance. It takes longer—maybe two and a half hours—but you can scroll TikTok or read a book instead of staring at brake lights.
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Timing Your Escape Like a Pro
If you want to keep your sanity, you have to be tactical.
Avoid the I-5 North between 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM. That is the commute from the "burbs" to the city. Conversely, if you’re heading back to Anaheim, avoid the 101 South and I-5 South between 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM.
If you try to leave Universal right as the park closes, you’ll be stuck in the parking garage exit for 20 minutes, followed by a slow crawl home. Either leave an hour before closing or hang out at CityWalk for dinner and a movie to let the traffic die down.
Common Misconceptions About the Distance
A lot of people think Universal is "in L.A." and Disneyland is "in L.A." Technically, only one of those is true. Disneyland is in Anaheim, which is its own world entirely. Universal is in Universal City/Hollywood.
People also assume there’s a direct "theme park shuttle" that runs between the two. There isn't a free one provided by the parks. You’ll find private companies like Lux Bus or Karmel Shuttle that offer transfers, but they aren't exactly "hop-on, hop-off." You have to book those ahead of time.
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Is It Worth Doing Both in One Day?
In a word: No.
Unless you only want to ride one thing at each park and spend four hours of your day in a car, don't do it. Both parks deserve a full day. Universal is smaller, sure, but the Studio Tour alone takes an hour, and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter will eat up half your afternoon if you’re doing the wand experiences.
Actionable Strategy for Your Trip
If you’re planning to visit both, the smartest move is to split your stay.
- Book two nights in Anaheim for your Disneyland days.
- Move to a hotel in Universal City or North Hollywood for your Universal day.
This saves you the "dead time" of driving back and forth. If that's too much packing and unpacking, just plan to leave Anaheim by 6:30 AM. You’ll beat the worst of the traffic, get a decent parking spot, and be at the front of the line for Super Nintendo World before the crowds explode.
Check the "Waze" app the night before. It has a "Planned Drive" feature that lets you see what the typical traffic looks like for your specific departure time. It's usually scary accurate.
Next Steps for Your SoCal Adventure
To make this trip actually happen without a meltdown, start by downloading the official Universal Studios Hollywood app and the Disneyland app. Both show live wait times and, more importantly, have built-in maps that help you gauge how much walking you'll actually be doing once you survive the drive. Also, if you’re opting for the train, grab the Transit app to track the Metro B Line in real-time.