Laguna to Rio Dell is 291.7 miles and takes about 5h 54m via Redwood Highway, with a fuel budget near $67 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive connects two points along California's Pacific Coast, offering a journey through varied landscapes. Expect a route characterized by frequent turns, suggesting a more engaging, local driving experience rather than a straightforward interstate cruise. With a recommended one-day duration, this trip is well-suited for those who enjoy a dynamic drive and want to reach their destination without an overnight stay.
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
145.9 miles from Laguna, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Redwood Highway
160.7 mi
3h 18m
Saint Helena Highway
51.2 mi
59m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
37.9 mi
43m
South Sacramento Freeway
9.9 mi
11m
CA 12
6.7 mi
8m
Capital City Freeway
5 mi
5m
Willits Bypass
4.7 mi
5m
Yolo Causeway
3.9 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Redwood Highway
— 160.7 mi, about 3h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Laguna, CA and Rio Dell, CA.
1
Start on Fall Breeze Court
183 ft·10 sec·Fall Breeze Court
2
Turn right onto Mapleview Way
155 ft·10 sec·Mapleview Way
3
Turn right onto November Drive
0.1 mi·25 sec·November Drive
4
Turn left onto Seasons Drive
0.3 mi·48 sec·Seasons Drive
5
Turn left onto Bruceville Road
0.3 mi·42 sec·Bruceville Road
6
Turn right onto Laguna Boulevard
1.2 mi·2 min·Laguna Boulevard
Use the right lane.
7
Continue on Bond Road
0.2 mi·15 sec·Bond Road
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward CA 99 North: Sacramento
9
Merge onto CA 99
9.9 mi·11 min·South Sacramento Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·33 sec
Toward US 50 West, US 50 East: San Francisco, South Lake TahoeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 50 West: San FranciscoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on US 50
5.0 mi·5 min·Capital City Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 80
3.9 mi·4 min·Yolo Causeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 80
38 mi·43 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto CA 12
6.7 mi·8 min·CA 12
Exit 39BUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on Airport Boulevard
195 ft·7 sec·Airport Boulevard
17
Turn right onto CA 29
1.3 mi·1 min·Napa–Vallejo Highway
18
Continue on CA 12; CA 29
22 mi·25 min·Saint Helena Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on CA 29; CA 128
2.4 mi·2 min·Main Street
20
Continue on CA 29; CA 128
6.8 mi·7 min·Saint Helena Highway
21
Continue on CA 128
1.4 mi·1 min·Foothill Boulevard
22
Continue on CA 128
16 mi·18 min·Saint Helena Highway
23
Continue on CA 128
6.6 mi·7 min·Saint Helena Highway
24
At end of road, turn right onto CA 128
0.9 mi·1 min·Geyserville Avenue
25
Turn left onto CA 128
359 ft·6 sec·Canyon Road
26
Take the exit onto CA 128
0.3 mi·39 sec·CA 128
27
Merge onto US 101; CA 128
55 mi·1 hr 7 min·Redwood Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on US 101
4.5 mi·5 min·Willits Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.7 mi·48 sec
30
Merge onto US 101
0.2 mi·16 sec·Willits Bypass
31
Continue on US 101
105 mi·2 hr 11 min·Redwood Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward Rio Dell, ScotiaUse the slight right lane.
33
Turn left onto CA 283
317 ft·8 sec·CA 283
34
Turn right onto CA 283
464 ft·9 sec·Main Street
35
Continue on CA 283
0.2 mi·23 sec·Eagle Prairie Bridge
36
Continue on Wildwood Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Wildwood Avenue
37
Turn left onto West Davis Street
84 ft·3 sec·West Davis Street
38
Arrive at destination
West Davis Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 54m estimated duration and the turn-heavy nature of this 291.7-mile route, planning your departure time is key. Aiming for an early morning start will give you ample daylight to navigate the local roads and make the most of the drive. While the longest stretch is over 160 miles, the frequent turns mean you'll likely want to stop more often than on a highway-only trip. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially when you're on the less major highways, as services might be more spaced out.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 145.9 miles from Laguna, CA, or about 2h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 160.7 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 64 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.9 miles or 2h 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rio Dell, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Laguna, 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 Laguna, CA
This is one driving day of about 291.7 miles and 5h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Laguna, 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 160.7 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 290.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.8 mi into trip|~2m in|Laguna Boulevard
Turn right onto Laguna Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
12.2 mi into trip|~16m in
Take the exit toward US 50 West, US 50 East: San Francisco, South Lake Tahoe
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.
Toward US 50 West, US 50 East: San Francisco, S...
7
12.7 mi into trip|~17m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 50 West: San Francisco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 50 West: San Francisco
6
60.3 mi into trip|~1h 12m in|CA 12
Take the exit onto CA 12
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 39B
7
290.6 mi into trip|~5h 52m in
Take the exit toward Rio Dell, Scotia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Rio Dell, Scotia
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$67.05 one way
$134.09 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$69.09
$138.18
premium
$6.18
$70.94
$141.88
diesel
$5.61
$64.40
$128.81
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$67
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$92–$117
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.5
1
$30.63
$14.00
Efficient EV
72.9
0
$25.52
$11.67
EV Truck/SUV
116.7
1
$40.84
$18.67
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (67% 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 Apr 21, 2026
Origin
Laguna, CA
Morning
in Laguna on Tuesday
Local time
6:44 AM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 3 mph97% chanceLive forecast
Winter Storm Warning
Winter Storm Warning issued April 21 at 12:38AM PDT until April 22 at 5:00PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 21 at 12:34AM PDT until April 21 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Destination
Rio Dell, CA
Morning
in Rio Dell on Tuesday
Local time
6:44 AM
PDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Cloverdale, CA
146 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
8 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 54m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 60.4
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...
24 mi from route
~59 min detour
Free
near mile 70.4
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
~72 min detour
$15
near mile 70.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is primarily a turn-heavy local drive, with only an 8% share on major highways like the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. You'll experience a much more intimate connection with the landscape on roads like the Redwood Highway and Saint Helena Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 160.7 miles on the Redwood Highway, so be prepared for frequent adjustments in direction and speed. The character of the drive will likely evolve, moving from more open stretches to more winding, local road segments.
Only 8% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 160.7 mi on Redwood Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 0.8 miles in near Laguna Boulevard.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 291.7 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 0.8 miles (Laguna Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 12.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 54m. Total distance: 291.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 160.7 miles on Redwood Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Rio Dell, 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: at 0.8 miles (Laguna Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 12.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Rio Dell, CA before the return drive.
