Piedmont, CA to Laguna, CA is 83.6 miles and takes about 1h 55m via CA 160 and CA 4, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within California, traversing the Pacific Coast region for both its start and end points. Expect a mixed drive that offers a blend of highway speeds and more local road conditions. Given its relatively short duration and manageable fuel cost, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion, allowing for a relaxed pace and minimal planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.8 miles from Piedmont, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
CA 160
18.2 mi
24m
CA 4
15 mi
17m
Caldecott Tunnel
9.8 mi
11m
Victory Highway
8.2 mi
13m
Westside Freeway
8.1 mi
8m
Twin Cities Road
4.4 mi
7m
CA 242
3.9 mi
4m
Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
3.8 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
CA 160
— 18.2 mi, about 24m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~14,427 veh/hr typical
· worst 19,014
Quietest
2 AM
~1,822 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 28 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 Piedmont, CA and Laguna, CA.
1
Start on Magnolia Avenue
31 ft·9 sec·Magnolia Avenue
2
Turn left onto Highland Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Highland Avenue
3
At end of road, turn right onto Moraga Avenue
1.3 mi·2 min·Moraga Avenue
Use the right lane.
4
Take the ramp
504 ft·12 sec
Toward CA 13 North: Berkeley
5
Merge onto CA 13
1.1 mi·1 min·Warren Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 5CToward CA 24 East: Walnut Creek, ConcordUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on this road
491 ft·10 sec·this road
8
Merge onto CA 24
0.4 mi·30 sec·Grove Shafter Freeway
9
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 24
0.2 mi·13 sec·Grove Shafter Freeway
10
Continue on CA 24
9.8 mi·11 min·Caldecott Tunnel
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 680
3.8 mi·4 min·Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 242
3.9 mi·4 min·CA 242
Exit 50Toward CA 242 North: Concord, PittsburgUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto CA 4
15 mi·17 min·CA 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 160
18 mi·24 min·CA 160
Exit 30Toward CA 160: Rio Vista, SacramentoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto CA 160
1.2 mi·1 min·River Road
16
Turn left onto CA 160
0.1 mi·1 min·Victory Highway
17
Continue on CA 160
8.1 mi·12 min·Victory Highway
18
Turn right onto J11
461 ft·55 sec·Walnut Grove Bridge
19
Turn left onto E13
2.2 mi·3 min·River Road
20
Turn right onto E13
4.4 mi·7 min·Twin Cities Road
21
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·32 sec
22
Merge onto I 5
8.1 mi·8 min·Westside Freeway
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 506Toward Elk Grove BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn right onto E12
3.0 mi·5 min·Elk Grove Boulevard
Use the left / uturn lanes.
25
Turn left onto Foulks Ranch Drive
0.7 mi·1 min·Foulks Ranch Drive
Use the left lane.
26
At end of road, turn right onto Laguna Park Drive
0.2 mi·29 sec·Laguna Park Drive
27
Turn right onto Seasons Drive
0.2 mi·37 sec·Seasons Drive
28
Turn left onto November Drive
0.1 mi·29 sec·November Drive
29
At end of road, turn left onto Mapleview Way
155 ft·12 sec·Mapleview Way
30
Turn left onto Fall Breeze Court
183 ft·8 sec·Fall Breeze Court
31
Arrive at destination
Fall Breeze Court
Trip Plan
Since this trip is under two hours and estimated to cost around $19 for fuel, you have a lot of flexibility with departure times. Aim to leave Piedmont in the morning to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. While no specific stops are noted, consider breaking up the 18.2-mile stretch on CA 160 if you prefer more frequent pauses. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the highway share suggests you'll be on faster roads for a significant portion of the drive. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day adventure, so you can depart whenever it's most convenient.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 41.8 miles from Piedmont, CA, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 18.2 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 18 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.8 miles or 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 37m
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 Piedmont, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Piedmont, CA
This is one driving day of about 83.6 miles and 1h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Piedmont, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on CA 160 for about 18.2 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 79.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|Moraga Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto Moraga Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
3 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the exit toward CA 24 East: Walnut Creek, Concord
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 5C
Toward CA 24 East: Walnut Creek, Concord
9
17.5 mi into trip|~22m in|CA 242
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 242 toward CA 242 North: Concord, Pittsburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 50
Toward CA 242 North: Concord, Pittsburg
9
36.4 mi into trip|~43m in|CA 160
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 160 toward CA 160: Rio Vista, Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 30
Toward CA 160: Rio Vista, Sacramento
7
79.1 mi into trip|~1h 45m 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
$18.95 one way
$37.90 round trip
$5.76/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.96
$19.60
$39.21
premium
$6.09
$20.05
$40.10
diesel
$5.40
$17.78
$35.57
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.1
0
$8.78
$4.01
Efficient EV
20.9
0
$7.31
$3.34
EV Truck/SUV
33.4
0
$11.70
$5.35
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Piedmont, CA
Afternoon
in Piedmont on Saturday
Local time
2:52 PM
PDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Laguna, CA
Afternoon
in Laguna on Saturday
Local time
2:52 PM
PDT
Current temp
78°F
Sunny
WSW 2 mph0% chanceLive 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
30 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
1h 55m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive offers a mixed experience, with 56% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter stretches that feel more like a typical commute, interspersed with sections that allow for a more leisurely pace. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 18.2 miles on CA 160, providing a good opportunity to settle in. Be prepared for the Caldecott Tunnel, which may add a brief pause to your journey. Overall, the road's personality shifts, moving from more open highway driving to potentially more varied conditions as you approach your destination.
56% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 18.2 mi on CA 160.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near Moraga Avenue.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 83.6 miles you will encounter 25 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (Moraga Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.5 miles (CA 242): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Piedmont, CA and Laguna, CA, road signs point toward Pittsburg and Sacramento.
Pittsburg
17.5 mi in|~22m|via CA 242
Sacramento
36.4 mi in|~43m|via CA 160
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 55m. Total distance: 83.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (56%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 18.2 miles on CA 160. 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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (Moraga Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.5 miles (CA 242): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park (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.
