Laguna, CA to Woodland Hills, CA is 369 miles and takes about 6h 49m via Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, and I 405 Truck, with a fuel budget near $88 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within California, traversing the Pacific Coast region for both your departure and arrival. It's a predominantly highway route, suggesting a straightforward trip focused on covering distance efficiently. Given the duration and highway focus, it's a solid choice for a single-day drive, allowing you to reach your destination without needing 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
184.5 miles from Laguna, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
282.7 mi
5h 3m
I 5 Truck
58.6 mi
1h 7m
I 405 Truck
9 mi
10m
Ventura Freeway
7.9 mi
9m
Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi
4m
Franklin Boulevard
2.3 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 210 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~2,112 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,896
Quietest
2 AM
~397 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 89 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 Woodland Hills, 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 158Toward I 405 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
9.0 mi·10 min·I 405 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Exit 63BToward US 101 South, US 101 North: Los Angeles, VenturaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward US 101 North: Ventura, Ventura Freeway
21
Merge onto US 101
7.9 mi·9 min·Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
409 ft·10 sec
Exit 27BToward CA 27 South: Topanga Canyon BoulevardUse the right lane.
23
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·32 sec·this road
Exit 27BToward CA 27 South: Topenga Canyon Boulevard
24
Turn straight onto CA 27
0.2 mi·26 sec·Topanga Canyon Boulevard
25
Arrive at destination
CA 27
Trip Plan
Since this is a single-day drive, leaving early in the morning, ideally before 7 AM, will help you avoid the heaviest traffic. The route is mostly highway, so you can cover significant ground quickly; the longest stretch without a major road change is 282.7 miles on the Westside Freeway, so plan your first substantial break after that segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $88, be sure to fill up before you leave Laguna, CA, or at a major service area along the I-5 corridor. There's only one recommended stop, so be strategic about when and where you take it to maximize your time on the road.
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 184.5 miles from Laguna, CA, or about 3h 24m 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 81 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 184.5 miles or 3h 24m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Woodland Hills, 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 369 miles and 6h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 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 Westside Freeway for about 282.7 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.4 and 368.5 — 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.
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
360.4 mi into trip|~6h 38m in
Take the exit toward US 101 South, US 101 North: Los Angeles, Ventura
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 63B
Toward US 101 South, US 101 North: Los Angeles,...
7
360.5 mi into trip|~6h 38m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 101 North: Ventura, Ventura Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 101 North: Ventura, Ventura Freeway
7
368.5 mi into trip|~6h 48m in
Take the exit toward CA 27 South: Topanga Canyon Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 27B
Toward CA 27 South: Topanga Canyon Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$89.27 one way
$178.54 round trip
$6.15/gal25.4 MPG avg129 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.34
$92.09
$184.18
premium
$6.50
$94.37
$188.74
diesel
$6.28
$91.17
$182.35
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$89
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$114–$139
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 129.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
110.7
1
$38.75
$17.71
Efficient EV
92.3
1
$32.29
$14.76
EV Truck/SUV
147.6
1
$51.66
$23.62
Gas CO2
129 kg
EV CO2
43 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Laguna, CA
Afternoon
in Laguna on Thursday
Local time
4:31 PM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Partly Cloudy
S 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 19 at 1:23AM PDT until October 20 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 18 at 12:31PM PDT until October 20 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Destination
Woodland Hills, CA
Afternoon
in Woodland Hills on Thursday
Local time
4:31 PM
PDT
Current temp
60°F
Clear
ENE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 19 at 1:23AM PDT until October 20 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 18 at 12:31PM PDT until October 20 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
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
9 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 49m 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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 369
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...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
Free
near mile 292.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect to spend about 98% of your 369 miles on highways, so plan for continuous travel on major routes. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 282.7 miles along the Westside Freeway. You'll notice a high density of exits and on-ramps, characteristic of extensive freeway driving in Southern California. The transition to surface roads will likely occur near the end of your trip.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 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?
8/10
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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 369 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 351.1 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 360.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 49m. Total distance: 369 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 49m 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 Woodland Hills, 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 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 351.1 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 360.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Woodland Hills, CA before the return drive.
