Trip from North Hollywood, CA to Laguna, CA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 41m

Distance

362.7 mi

584 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$83

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min

4 AM

6h 29m ★

6 AM

6h 41m

8 AM

7h 5m

10 AM

6h 50m

12 PM

6h 47m

3 PM

6h 51m

5 PM

7h 4m

8 PM

6h 34m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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North Hollywood, CA

Abhishek Navlakha

Laguna, CA

Tori Pezzulla❤️

Trip Overview

This 362.7-mile drive from North Hollywood, CA, to Laguna, CA, is a substantial journey that can be completed in approximately 6 hours and 41 minutes. Primarily a highway-focused experience, with 98% of the route on major interstates like the Westside Freeway, Golden State Freeway, and I-5 Truck, it's best tackled as a single-day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $84, planning your departure time is key to avoiding the worst of California's notorious traffic. Both your origin and destination are within the Pacific Coast region, so expect a consistent, urban-to-coastal California vibe throughout.

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

181.4 miles from North Hollywood, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 20m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Westside Freeway	285.8 mi	5h 7m
I 5 Truck	37.7 mi	43m
Golden State Freeway	29 mi	33m
Hollywood Freeway	4 mi	4m
Elk Grove Boulevard	3 mi	5m
Foulks Ranch Drive	0.7 mi	1m
Burbank Boulevard	0.6 mi	1m
Seasons Drive	0.2 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: Westside Freeway — 285.8 mi, about 5h 7m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between North Hollywood, CA and Laguna, CA.

Start on Tujunga Avenue

126 ft · 5 sec · Tujunga Avenue

Turn right

333 ft · 26 sec

Turn right onto Burbank Boulevard

0.6 mi · 1 min · Burbank Boulevard

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Toward CA 170 North: Sacramento

Merge onto CA 170

4.0 mi · 4 min · Hollywood Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.9 mi · 59 sec

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 5

4.5 mi · 5 min · Golden State Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

2.2 mi · 2 min · Golden State Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck

1.5 mi · 1 min · I 5 Truck

Exit 161A Toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck

36 mi · 41 min · I 5 Truck

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

22 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

226 mi · 4 hr 1 min · Westside Freeway

Toward I 5 North Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

26 mi · 27 min · Westside Freeway

Keep left at fork onto I 5

35 mi · 37 min · Westside Freeway

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Exit 506 Toward Elk Grove Boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto E12

3.0 mi · 5 min · Elk Grove Boulevard

Use the left / uturn lanes.

Turn left onto Foulks Ranch Drive

0.7 mi · 1 min · Foulks Ranch Drive

Use the left lane.

At end of road, turn right onto Laguna Park Drive

0.2 mi · 29 sec · Laguna Park Drive

Turn right onto Seasons Drive

0.2 mi · 37 sec · Seasons Drive

Turn left onto November Drive

0.1 mi · 29 sec · November Drive

At end of road, turn left onto Mapleview Way

155 ft · 12 sec · Mapleview Way

Turn left onto Fall Breeze Court

183 ft · 8 sec · Fall Breeze Court

Arrive at destination

Fall Breeze Court

Trip Plan

Given the 6 hour and 41-minute duration, an early morning departure from North Hollywood is highly recommended to maximize daylight and minimize traffic delays. While the drive is manageable in one day, consider an extended stop if you need a break, as there's only one recommended stop. The longest stretch without a break is over 285 miles, so be sure to fuel up before embarking on this significant portion. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $84 estimated cost suggests a need for careful monitoring on this highway-heavy route.

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 181.4 miles from North Hollywood, CA, or about 3h 20m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 285.8 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 80 miles or 1h 32m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 181.4 miles or 3h 20m 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 31m

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 North Hollywood, 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 North Hollywood, CA

This is one driving day of about 362.7 miles and 6h 41m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from North Hollywood, 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 285.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Kings County, California, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Avenal, CA

181 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.

Popular next leg

Avenal, CA to Laguna, CA

196.9 mi · 3h 39m

Pacing Suggestions

Bakersfield, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Mendota, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 181.4 miles from North Hollywood, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 285.8 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.

Best meal stop

Muchá! Comida Chapina

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

North Hollywood, California

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+18185034511

Visit website

Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Universal City, California

2.9 mi

Muchá! Comida Chapina

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

North Hollywood, California

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+18185034511

Visit website

Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately

Universal City, California

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18185099463

Visit website

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Valencia, California

+16612554100

Visit website

Wat Thai of Los Angeles

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour

North Hollywood, California

Hours: 8 am–7 pm

Visit website

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 4.9 and 358.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4.9 mi into trip | ~6m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

10.2 mi into trip | ~13m in | I 5 / Golden State Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Golden State Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

12.5 mi into trip | ~15m in | I 5 Truck

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 161A Toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck

72.4 mi into trip | ~1h 24m in | I 5 / Westside Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 / Westside Freeway toward I 5 North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 5 North

358.2 mi into trip | ~6h 31m 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

$83.36 one way

$166.73 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 127 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$6.02	$85.91	$171.81
premium	$6.18	$88.20	$176.41
diesel	$5.61	$80.08	$160.16

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$83

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$108–$133

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 126.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	108.8	1	$38.08	$17.41
Efficient EV	90.7	1	$31.74	$14.51
EV Truck/SUV	145.1	1	$50.78	$23.21

Gas CO2

127 kg

EV CO2

42 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 13, 2026

Origin

North Hollywood, CA

Morning in North Hollywood on Tuesday

Local time

6:45 AM

PDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Laguna, CA

Morning in Laguna on Tuesday

Local time

6:45 AM

PDT

Current temp

65°F

Mostly Sunny

NW 2 to 6 mph 2% 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

6h 41m 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 ~55 min detour Free near mile 12.5

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 ~67 min detour Free near mile 75

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a largely highway-focused drive, with 98% of your miles on major freeways. This means consistent speeds and long stretches of uninterrupted driving, including a significant 285.8-mile segment on the Westside Freeway. While this profile offers efficiency, it's important to be prepared for the monotonous nature of extended freeway travel. The route doesn't significantly deviate from this character, maintaining a steady pace across California's extensive highway network.

98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 285.8 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 4.9 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

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 362.7 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 4.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.2 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes

3,419 ft 16 ft

Total Climb

3,318 ft

Total Descent

3,934 ft

Highest Point

3,419 ft

~51.8 mi in

Elevation Range

3,403 ft

Notable High Points

3,419 ft at ~51.8 miles +2,346 ft prominence

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 41m. Total distance: 362.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 41m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 285.8 miles on Westside Freeway. 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 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.

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 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.4 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.

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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from North Hollywood, CA or browse trips ending in Laguna, CA.

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Trip from North Hollywood, CA to Laguna, CA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Muchá! Comida Chapina

Muchá! Comida Chapina

Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant

Tesla Supercharger

Electrify America Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

EVgo Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

Universal Studio Tour

Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles

Wat Thai of Los Angeles

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

North Hollywood, CA

Laguna, CA

Same local time

13 degrees warmer at arrival

6h 41m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

César E. Chávez National Monument

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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