Ferndale to Laguna is 306 miles and takes about 6h 15m via Redwood Highway, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, and Saint Helena Highway, with a fuel budget near $66 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within California, starting and ending on the Pacific Coast. Expect a drive that primarily uses surface roads, offering a more grounded experience than a pure freeway cruise. With a single recommended stop and a manageable duration, this route is ideal for a straightforward, one-day excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
153 miles from Ferndale, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Redwood Highway
172.1 mi
3h 31m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
38.2 mi
44m
Saint Helena Highway
29.5 mi
33m
Saint Helena Highway South
21.7 mi
25m
South Sacramento Freeway
7.4 mi
8m
Main Street
7.2 mi
12m
Jameson Canyon Road
6.2 mi
7m
Capital City Freeway
5.5 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Redwood Highway
— 172.1 mi, about 3h 31m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 47 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,153 veh/hr typical
Quietest
1 AM
~402 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 60 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ferndale, CA and Laguna, CA.
1
Start on CA 211
4.8 mi·10 min·Main Street
2
Turn right onto Fernbridge Drive
0.6 mi·59 sec·Fernbridge Drive
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
4
Merge onto US 101
117 mi·2 hr 24 min·Redwood Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on US 101
5.4 mi·6 min·Willits Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on US 101; CA 20
55 mi·1 hr 7 min·Redwood Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit onto CA 128
0.2 mi·38 sec·CA 128
Exit 512Toward CA 128 East: Canyon RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn left onto CA 128
0.1 mi·13 sec·Canyon Road
9
Turn right onto CA 128
0.9 mi·1 min·Geyserville Avenue
10
Turn left onto CA 128
6.6 mi·7 min·Saint Helena Highway
11
At end of road, turn left onto CA 128
16 mi·18 min·Saint Helena Highway
12
Continue on CA 128
1.4 mi·1 min·Foothill Boulevard
13
Continue on CA 29; CA 128
6.8 mi·7 min·Saint Helena Highway
14
Continue on CA 29; CA 128
2.4 mi·2 min·Main Street
15
Continue on CA 29; CA 128
22 mi·25 min·Saint Helena Highway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on CA 12; CA 29
1.3 mi·1 min·Napa–Vallejo Highway
17
Turn left onto CA 12
6.2 mi·7 min·Jameson Canyon Road
Use the left / uturn lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 12
0.3 mi·38 sec·CA 12
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 80; CA 12
2.5 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
27 mi·31 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
8.4 mi·9 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 80
3.7 mi·4 min·Yolo Causeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50; I 80 Business
5.3 mi·5 min·Capital City Freeway
Exit 82Toward Sacramento, South Lake TahoeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business
0.3 mi·18 sec·Capital City Freeway
Toward I 80 Business East, CA 99 South: Reno, FresnoUse the slight right lane.
25
Take the exit
0.4 mi·34 sec
Toward CA 99 South: FresnoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto CA 99
7.4 mi·8 min·South Sacramento Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 289Toward Cosumnes River Boulevard, Calvine RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Turn right onto Cosumnes River Boulevard
0.3 mi·27 sec·Cosumnes River Boulevard
Use the left / right lanes.
29
Turn left onto Bruceville Road
2.7 mi·5 min·Bruceville Road
Use the left / uturn / straight lanes.
30
Turn right onto Seasons Drive
0.3 mi·50 sec·Seasons Drive
31
Turn right onto November Drive
0.1 mi·29 sec·November Drive
32
At end of road, turn left onto Mapleview Way
155 ft·12 sec·Mapleview Way
33
Turn left onto Fall Breeze Court
183 ft·8 sec·Fall Breeze Court
34
Arrive at destination
Fall Breeze Court
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 15m duration, leaving in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight. The route data suggests one stop, which is ample for this distance, allowing for flexibility in when and where you choose to rest. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition from highway driving to surface roads where stations might be less frequent. The $66 fuel cost is an estimate, so confirm local prices. Since this is a one-day drive, you have the advantage of not needing to plan overnight accommodations.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 153 miles from Ferndale, CA, or about 3h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 172.1 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 67 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 153 miles or 3h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Laguna, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ferndale, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Ferndale, CA
This is one driving day of about 306 miles and 6h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Ferndale, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Redwood Highway for about 172.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 183 and 302.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
183 mi into trip|~3h 49m in|CA 128
Take the exit onto CA 128 toward CA 128 East: Canyon Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 512
Toward CA 128 East: Canyon Road
6
246.8 mi into trip|~5h 3m in|CA 12
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 12
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
288.9 mi into trip|~5h 52m in|US 50; I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50; I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway toward Sacramento, South Lake Tahoe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 82
Toward Sacramento, South Lake Tahoe
8
294.2 mi into trip|~5h 58m in|I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway toward I 80 Business East, CA 99 South: Reno, Fresno
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 80 Business East, CA 99 South: Reno, F...
8
302.3 mi into trip|~6h 7m in
Take the exit toward Cosumnes River Boulevard, Calvine Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 289
Toward Cosumnes River Boulevard, Calvine Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$74.89 one way
$149.77 round trip
$6.22/gal25.4 MPG avg107 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.40
$77.11
$154.23
premium
$6.57
$79.10
$158.20
diesel
$6.18
$74.44
$148.88
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$75
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$100–$125
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
91.8
1
$32.13
$14.69
Efficient EV
76.5
0
$26.78
$12.24
EV Truck/SUV
122.4
1
$42.84
$19.58
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Oct 16, 2026
Origin
Ferndale, CA
Late night
in Ferndale on Saturday
Local time
3:45 AM
PDT
Current temp
67°F
Mostly Sunny
NW 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
High Wind Warning
High Wind Warning issued October 16 at 12:54PM PDT until October 18 at 12:00AM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 16 at 12:54PM PDT until October 17 at 12:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Destination
Laguna, CA
Late night
in Laguna on Saturday
Local time
3:45 AM
PDT
Current temp
86°F
Sunny
SW 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
High Wind Warning
High Wind Warning issued October 16 at 12:54PM PDT until October 18 at 12:00AM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 16 at 12:54PM PDT until October 17 at 12:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
71°F
Cloverdale, CA
153 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
19 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 15m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
National Memorial
On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two s...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
Free
near mile 253.2
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of American civilians on the WWII home front. Discover how diverse communities lived, worked, and interacted. Many faces, many stories, many truths...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 242.7
Walk among old growth coast redwoods, cooling their roots in the fresh water of Redwood Creek and lifting their crowns to reach the sun and fog. Federally protected as a National Monument since 1908,...
29 mi from route
~74 min detour
$15
near mile 242.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 25% of this trip on highways, with the remaining 75% on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 172.1 miles on the Redwood Highway. After this initial highway segment, you'll transition to surface roads for the majority of your travel. Be prepared for more frequent intersections and potentially slower speeds as you move away from freeway conditions.
Only 4% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 172.1 mi on Redwood Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 183 miles in near CA 128.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 306 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 183 miles (CA 128): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 246.8 miles (CA 12): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 288.9 miles (US 50; I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,780 ft25 ft
Total Climb
1,796 ft
Total Descent
1,825 ft
Highest Point
1,780 ft
~126.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,755 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ferndale, CA and Laguna, CA, road signs point toward Sacramento and Lake Tahoe.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 15m. Total distance: 306 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 15m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 172.1 miles on Redwood Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Laguna, CA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 5 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 183 miles (CA 128): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 246.8 miles (CA 12): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 288.9 miles (US 50; I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and Muir Woods National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Laguna, CA before the return drive.
