Origin
Ladera, CA
Late night in Ladera on Tuesday
Local time
3:38 AM
PDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ladera, CA to Laguna, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 36m
Distance
128.2 mi
206 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 26m
★
6 AM
2h 36m
8 AM
2h 57m
10 AM
2h 44m
12 PM
2h 42m
3 PM
2h 45m
5 PM
2h 56m
8 PM
2h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ladera, CA
Skyler Sion
Laguna, CA
Tori Pezzulla❤️
Trip Overview
Ladera, CA to Laguna, CA is 128.2 miles and takes about 2h 36m via the Westside Freeway, Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway, and J Arthur Younger Freeway, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, highway-focused journey entirely within California's Pacific Coast region. Expect a relatively quick trip, ideal for a single day of travel. With 92% of the route on highways, it's designed for efficient transit, making it a practical choice if you're looking to get from point A to point B without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
64.1 miles from Ladera, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 21m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 46.8 mi | 51m |
| Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway | 28.2 mi | 32m |
| J Arthur Younger Freeway | 18 mi | 21m |
| Robert T. Monagan Freeway | 14.6 mi | 16m |
| Junipero Serra Freeway | 10.6 mi | 12m |
| Elk Grove Boulevard | 3 mi | 5m |
| West Jackson Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Alpine Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 46.8 mi, about 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ladera, CA and Laguna, CA.
1
Start on this road
73 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto La Mesa Drive
411 ft
·
18 sec
·
La Mesa Drive
3
Turn right
161 ft
·
9 sec
4
Turn slight right onto La Mesa Drive
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
La Mesa Drive
5
At end of road, turn left onto Alpine Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Alpine Road
Use the left lane.
6
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 280 North: San Francisco
Use the left lane.
7
Merge onto I 280
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Junipero Serra Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
421 ft
·
8 sec
Exit 33
Toward CA 92: Half Moon Bay, San Mateo, Hayward
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
Toward CA 92 East: San Mateo, Hayward
10
Merge onto CA 92
18 mi
·
21 min
·
J Arthur Younger Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on CA 92
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
West Jackson Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on Foothill Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Foothill Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn right onto A Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
A Street
Use the right lane.
14
Continue on Redwood Road
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
Redwood Road
15
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 580 East: Stockton
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 580
10 mi
·
11 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 205
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Robert T. Monagan Freeway
Toward I 205 East: Tracy, Stockton
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 205
11 mi
·
11 min
·
Robert T. Monagan Freeway
20
Merge onto I 5
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Westside Freeway
21
Keep left at fork onto I 5
35 mi
·
37 min
·
Westside Freeway
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 506
Toward Elk Grove Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn right onto E12
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Elk Grove Boulevard
Use the left / uturn lanes.
24
Turn left onto Foulks Ranch Drive
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Foulks Ranch Drive
Use the left lane.
25
At end of road, turn right onto Laguna Park Drive
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Laguna Park Drive
26
Turn right onto Seasons Drive
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
Seasons Drive
27
Turn left onto November Drive
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
November Drive
28
At end of road, turn left onto Mapleview Way
155 ft
·
12 sec
·
Mapleview Way
29
Turn left onto Fall Breeze Court
183 ft
·
8 sec
·
Fall Breeze Court
30
Arrive at destination
Fall Breeze Court
Trip Plan
Given this is a single-day trip of just over two and a half hours, you have plenty of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving mid-morning should allow you to avoid the worst of any potential commuter traffic. The longest stretch without a major change is 46.8 miles, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, though with a fuel cost estimate of $29, you likely won't need to fill up multiple times. Given the short duration and highway focus, the main consideration is maintaining your speed and awareness on the freeways.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 64.1 miles from Ladera, CA, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.8 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 28 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.1 miles or 1h 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 6m
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 Ladera, 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 Ladera, CA
This is one driving day of about 128.2 miles and 2h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Ladera, 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 Westside Freeway for about 46.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
64 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 64.1 miles from Ladera, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 245 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 123.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
La Mesa Drive
At end of road, turn right onto La Mesa Drive
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Alpine Road
At end of road, turn left onto Alpine Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
1.2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Turn left toward I 280 North: San Francisco
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 280 North: San Francisco
8
12 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Take the exit toward CA 92: Half Moon Bay, San Mateo, Hayward
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 33
Toward CA 92: Half Moon Bay, San Mateo, Hayward
7
123.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 26m in
Take the exit toward Elk Grove Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 506
Toward Elk Grove Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.47 one way
$58.93 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
45 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $30.36 | $60.73 |
| premium | $6.18 | $31.18 | $62.35 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $28.30 | $56.61 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38.5 | 0 | $13.46 | $6.15 |
| Efficient EV | 32.1 | 0 | $11.22 | $5.13 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 51.3 | 0 | $17.95 | $8.20 |
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
Laguna, CA
Late night in Laguna on Tuesday
Local time
3:38 AM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
2h 36m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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.
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park celebrates America’s maritime heritage on the Pacific Coast. Our 50-acre park has grown around Aquatic Park Cove, a protected area...
18 mi from route
~46 min detour
Free
near mile 22.8
View on nps.gov
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...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
Free
near mile 36.5
View on nps.gov
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...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 36.5
View on nps.gov
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Experience a park so rich it supports 19 distinct ecosystems with over 2,000 plant and animal species. Go for a hike, enjoy a vista, have a picnic or learn about the centuries of overlapping history f...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 18.2
View on nps.gov
Muir Woods National Monument
National Monument
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,...
28 mi from route
~71 min detour
$15
near mile 22.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 92% of the 128.2 miles utilizing major freeways like the Westside Freeway, Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway, and J Arthur Younger Freeway. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including one uninterrupted segment of 46.8 miles on the Westside Freeway. The character of the drive remains largely consistent, emphasizing efficient travel over varied scenery. Prepare for a steady pace as you navigate these primary arteries connecting the Pacific Coast region.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 46.8 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near La Mesa Drive.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 24 significant decision points across 128.2 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: near the start (La Mesa Drive): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.4 miles (Alpine Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ladera, CA and Laguna, CA, road signs point toward San Mateo, Hayward and Stockton.
San Mateo
12 mi in
|
~16m
Hayward
12 mi in
|
~16m
Stockton
62.2 mi in
|
~1h 18m
|
via I 205
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 36m. Total distance: 128.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 46.8 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (La Mesa Drive): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.4 miles (Alpine Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Laguna, CA before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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