Water
0 mi from route
Trip from Laguna, CA to South Gate, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 26, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 9m
Distance
382.6 mi
616 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$87
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 58m
★
6 AM
7h 9m
8 AM
7h 31m
10 AM
7h 17m
12 PM
7h 15m
3 PM
7h 18m
5 PM
7h 30m
8 PM
7h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Laguna, CA
Tori Pezzulla❤️
South Gate, CA
Isaac Garcia
Trip Overview
Laguna, CA to South Gate, CA is 382.6 miles and takes about 7h 9m via Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck, with a fuel budget near $88 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a highway-focused drive primarily within California, connecting two points along the Pacific Coast. It's a straightforward trip for those prioritizing efficiency. You'll spend most of your time on major freeways, making it a practical option for a single-day transit.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
191.3 miles from Laguna, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 31m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 282.7 mi | 5h 3m |
| I 5 Truck | 83.3 mi | 1h 36m |
| Golden State Freeway | 4.4 mi | 5m |
| Pacific Boulevard | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| Franklin Boulevard | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| South Soto Street | 2 mi | 4m |
| Hood Franklin Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Elk Grove Boulevard | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 282.7 mi, about 5h 3m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 174 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,402 veh/hr typical · worst 3,136
Quietest
2 AM
~463 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 44 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 Laguna, CA and South Gate, 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
·
28 sec
·
November Drive
4
Turn right onto Seasons Drive
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Seasons Drive
5
Turn left onto Laguna Park Drive
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Laguna Park Drive
6
Turn left onto Foulks Ranch Drive
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Foulks Ranch Drive
7
Turn right onto E12
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Elk Grove Boulevard
8
Turn left onto J8
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Franklin Boulevard
Use the left / uturn lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto J8
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Franklin Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn right onto Hood Franklin Road
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Hood Franklin Road
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
12
Merge onto I 5
45 mi
·
49 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi
·
48 sec
·
Westside Freeway
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
237 mi
·
4 hr 13 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
·
I 5 Truck
Exit 158
Toward I 405 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
25 mi
·
29 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
Golden State Freeway
Toward CA 60 East, I 5 South: Pomona, Soto Street, Santa Ana
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 134A
Toward Soto Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn straight onto South Soto Street
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
South Soto Street
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn right onto Leonis Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Leonis Boulevard
23
Turn left onto Pacific Boulevard
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Pacific Boulevard
Use the left lane.
24
Continue on Long Beach Boulevard
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Long Beach Boulevard
25
Turn left onto Firestone Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
·
Firestone Boulevard
Use the left lane.
26
Arrive at destination
Firestone Boulevard
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour drive, consider an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic congestion, especially as you approach the Los Angeles area. With only 2 recommended stops, plan them strategically to break up the 282.7-mile stretch on the Westside Freeway. Fuel costs are estimated at $88, so ensure your tank is full before leaving Laguna, CA, as services can be more spread out on certain freeway segments. This route is manageable in a single day, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, you could split it into two shorter driving days.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 191.3 miles from Laguna, CA, or about 3h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 282.7 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 84 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 191.3 miles or 3h 31m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Gate, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Laguna, CA
This is one driving day of about 382.6 miles and 7h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 miles from Laguna, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 282.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
191 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 84 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 191.3 miles from Laguna, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 282.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Dos Amigos Vista Point
0 mi from route
John "Chuck" Erreca Southbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
EZ Trip Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Castaic Truck Stop
0.1 mi from route
John "Chuck" Erreca Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Buttonwillow Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Buttonwillow Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Coalinga Avenal Safety Roadside Rest Area - Northbound
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
EZ Trip Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Coalinga - Avenal Rest Area - Southbound
0.2 mi from route
Coalinga - Avenal Rest Area - Northbound
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Westley Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Westley Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Tejon Pass Rest Area - Northbound
0.2 mi from route
Tejon Pass Rest Area - Southbound
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Lost Hills Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.4 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.4 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.8 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.3 mi from route
Rest Area
1.6 mi from route
Rest Area
1.8 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 225 decision points cluster between mile 3.4 and 376.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3.4 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
J8 / Franklin Boulevard
Keep slight right at fork onto J8 / Franklin Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
52.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
|
I 5 / Westside Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Westside Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
351.1 mi into trip
|
~6h 27m in
|
I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 405 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 158
Toward I 405 South
8
376.1 mi into trip
|
~6h 57m in
|
I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Golden State Freeway toward CA 60 East, I 5 South: Pomona, Soto Street, Santa Ana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward CA 60 East, I 5 South: Pomona, Soto Stre...
7
376.5 mi into trip
|
~6h 57m in
Take the exit toward Soto Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 134A
Toward Soto Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$86.72 one way
$173.44 round trip
$5.76/gal
25.4 MPG avg
134 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.96 | $89.72 | $179.43 |
| premium | $6.09 | $91.76 | $183.53 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $81.39 | $162.77 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$87
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$112–$137
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 133.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 114.8 | 1 | $40.17 | $18.36 |
| Efficient EV | 95.7 | 1 | $33.48 | $15.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 153 | 1 | $53.56 | $24.49 |
Gas CO2
134 kg
EV CO2
45 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.
Origin
Laguna, CA
Late night in Laguna on Sunday
Local time
5:38 AM
PDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
South Gate, CA
Late night in South Gate on Sunday
Local time
5:38 AM
PDT
Current temp
85°F
Mostly Sunny
SSW 5 to 10 mph
0% chance
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
13 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
7h 9m 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.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultura...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 356.2
View on nps.gov
César E. Chávez National Monument
National Monument
Yes, we can! Widely recognized as the most important Latino leader in the United States during the twentieth century, Cesar Chavez led farm workers and supporters in the establishment of the country's...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 290.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is nearly all highway, with 97% of the route utilizing major freeways like the Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch on the Westside Freeway, covering 282.7 miles. Expect a consistent highway experience with frequent exits and merges as you pass through various populated areas.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 282.7 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.4 miles in near J8 / Franklin Boulevard.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 382.6 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 3.4 miles (J8 / Franklin Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 52.2 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 351.1 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Arriving in South Gate, CA
Full guide →Founded 1923
The largely suburban and industrial Gateway Cities of Los Angeles County in Southern California make up the southeastern portion of the county, lying between the City of Los Angeles proper and the border of the county with Orange County.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 9m. Total distance: 382.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 9m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 282.7 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 35 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 South Gate, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 35 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.4 miles (J8 / Franklin Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 52.2 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 351.1 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and César E. Chávez National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at South Gate, CA before the return drive.
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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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