This 117.5-mile drive from Redwood City, CA to Laguna, CA is a straightforward, one-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 22 minutes. The route is heavily focused on highway travel, with 92% of the journey on freeways, making it an efficient way to get between these two Pacific Coast locations. You can expect a fuel cost of around $27 for this trip. Since it's a relatively short drive, you won't need to plan for an overnight stay, offering flexibility in your departure and arrival times.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
58.8 miles from Redwood City, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
46.8 mi
51m
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
28.2 mi
32m
Robert T. Monagan Freeway
14.6 mi
16m
J Arthur Younger Freeway
13.2 mi
15m
Bayshore Freeway
4.9 mi
5m
Elk Grove Boulevard
3 mi
5m
West Jackson Street
1.5 mi
2m
A Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 46.8 mi, about 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Redwood City, CA and Laguna, CA.
1
Start on this road
477 ft·26 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Broadway
315 ft·15 sec·Broadway
3
Turn sharp left onto Arch Street
206 ft·13 sec·Arch Street
4
Turn right onto Brewster Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Brewster Avenue
5
Turn left onto Veterans Boulevard
0.3 mi·40 sec·Veterans Boulevard
Use the left lane.
6
Turn right onto Whipple Avenue
0.2 mi·27 sec·Whipple Avenue
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward US 101 North: San Francisco
8
Merge onto US 101
4.9 mi·5 min·Bayshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Exit 414BToward CA 92 West, CA 92 East: Half Moon Bay, Hayward, San Mateo BridgeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·25 sec
Toward CA 92 East: Hayward, San Mateo BridgeUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto CA 92
13 mi·15 min·J Arthur Younger Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on CA 92
1.5 mi·2 min·West Jackson Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Continue on Foothill Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·Foothill Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn right onto A Street
0.7 mi·1 min·A Street
Use the right lane.
15
Continue on Redwood Road
0.5 mi·59 sec·Redwood Road
16
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 580 East: StocktonUse the straight / right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 580
10 mi·11 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
18 mi·20 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 205
3.9 mi·4 min·Robert T. Monagan Freeway
Toward I 205 East: Tracy, Stockton
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 205
11 mi·11 min·Robert T. Monagan Freeway
21
Merge onto I 5
12 mi·13 min·Westside Freeway
22
Keep left at fork onto I 5
35 mi·37 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
Given this route's efficiency, you have a lot of flexibility. Leaving Redwood City in the morning or mid-afternoon can help you avoid peak traffic. Since it’s a relatively short drive of under 2.5 hours, you likely won't need many stops, but there are no designated stops in the data to plan around. The estimated fuel cost is $27, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you depart. Keep an eye on highway signage for any changes or potential construction, especially on the longest stretch of 46.8 miles on the Westside Freeway.
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 58.8 miles from Redwood City, CA, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.8 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 26 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.8 miles or 1h 13m 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 54m
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 Redwood City, 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 Redwood City, CA
This is one driving day of about 117.5 miles and 2h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Redwood City, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 46.8 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 112.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|Arch Street
Turn sharp left onto Arch Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
8
6.2 mi into trip|~9m in
Take the exit toward CA 92 West, CA 92 East: Half Moon Bay, Hayward, San Mateo Bridge
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 414B
Toward CA 92 West, CA 92 East: Half Moon Bay, H...
8
6.3 mi into trip|~9m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CA 92 East: Hayward, San Mateo Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward CA 92 East: Hayward, San Mateo Bridge
6
23 mi into trip|~32m in
Take the ramp toward I 580 East: Stockton
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 580 East: Stockton
7
112.9 mi into trip|~2h 12m 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
$27.01 one way
$54.01 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$27.83
$55.66
premium
$6.18
$28.57
$57.15
diesel
$5.61
$25.94
$51.89
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.3
0
$12.34
$5.64
Efficient EV
29.4
0
$10.28
$4.70
EV Truck/SUV
47
0
$16.45
$7.52
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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 15, 2026
Origin
Redwood City, CA
Morning
in Redwood City on Sunday
Local time
7:18 AM
PDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Laguna, CA
Morning
in Laguna on Sunday
Local time
7:18 AM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
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
3 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
2h 22m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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.
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
19 mi from route
~46 min detour
Free
near mile 12.2
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...
23 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 24.3
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...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 28.4
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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 8.1
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?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this journey, with 92% of the route utilizing freeways. You'll primarily be on the Westside Freeway, Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway, and Robert T. Monagan Freeway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 46.8 miles on the Westside Freeway. This profile suggests a consistent pace with minimal interruptions, ideal for covering distance efficiently. The character of the drive remains largely consistent, emphasizing smooth, high-speed travel.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 46.8 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Arch Street.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 117.5 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 0.2 miles (Arch Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 6.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.3 miles: 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 Redwood City, CA and Laguna, CA, road signs point toward Hayward and Stockton.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 22m. Total distance: 117.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 46.8 miles on Westside Freeway. 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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Arch Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 6.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial (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.
