Spanning 424 miles, this journey from the San Joaquin Hills to Laguna is a significant undertaking that requires about 7 hours and 6 minutes of actual driving time. While it is technically possible to complete this trip in one day, be prepared for a full day behind the wheel. You will navigate primarily via Versailles, Clermont, and Menton, sticking to local roads rather than high-speed interstates. Budget approximately $58 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Pacific Coast locations. Since the route is quite turn-heavy, it is best suited for drivers who enjoy active, engaged steering rather than those looking for a passive highway cruise.
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
210.4 miles from San Joaquin Hills, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
285.8 mi
5h 7m
Golden State Freeway
50 mi
57m
I 5 Truck
37.7 mi
43m
Santa Ana Freeway
29.6 mi
34m
Costa Mesa Freeway
5 mi
5m
Elk Grove Boulevard
3 mi
5m
San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
2.1 mi
2m
Corona Del Mar Freeway
2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 285.8 mi, about 5h 7m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 448 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,051 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,507
Quietest
2 AM
~634 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.4×
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 San Joaquin Hills, CA and Laguna, CA.
1
Start on Villeneuve
103 ft·4 sec·Villeneuve
2
Continue on Versailles
0.1 mi·27 sec·Versailles
3
Turn right onto Clermont
0.1 mi·29 sec·Clermont
4
Turn left onto Menton
197 ft·11 sec·Menton
5
Turn right onto Newport Ridge Drive East
0.5 mi·1 min·Newport Ridge Drive East
6
Turn left onto San Joaquin Hills Road
0.2 mi·35 sec·San Joaquin Hills Road
Use the left lane.
7
At end of road, turn left onto Newport Coast Drive
0.7 mi·1 min·Newport Coast Drive
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on Newport Coast Drive
0.3 mi·24 sec·Newport Coast Drive
9
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward CA 73 Toll North: Long BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 17AToward CA 55 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward CA 55 North: Anaheim, RiversideUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto CA 55
4.6 mi·5 min·Costa Mesa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 55
0.4 mi·28 sec·Costa Mesa Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.7 mi·46 sec
Exit 10BToward I 5 North: Santa AnaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 5
0.5 mi·36 sec·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
1.7 mi·1 min·Santa Ana Freeway
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
9.4 mi·10 min·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
18 mi·20 min·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
25 mi·29 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
2.2 mi·2 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
1.5 mi·1 min·I 5 Truck
Exit 161AToward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 TruckUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
36 mi·41 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
22 mi·25 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
226 mi·4 hr 1 min·Westside Freeway
Toward I 5 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
26 mi·27 min·Westside Freeway
28
Keep left at fork onto I 5
35 mi·37 min·Westside Freeway
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 506Toward Elk Grove BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Turn right onto E12
3.0 mi·5 min·Elk Grove Boulevard
Use the left / uturn lanes.
31
Turn left onto Foulks Ranch Drive
0.7 mi·1 min·Foulks Ranch Drive
Use the left lane.
32
At end of road, turn right onto Laguna Park Drive
0.2 mi·29 sec·Laguna Park Drive
33
Turn right onto Seasons Drive
0.2 mi·37 sec·Seasons Drive
34
Turn left onto November Drive
0.1 mi·29 sec·November Drive
35
At end of road, turn left onto Mapleview Way
155 ft·12 sec·Mapleview Way
36
Turn left onto Fall Breeze Court
183 ft·8 sec·Fall Breeze Court
37
Arrive at destination
Fall Breeze Court
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour and 6-minute duration, plan to depart early in the morning to avoid fatigue and ensure you reach your destination before dark. You should build in at least two intentional stops to stretch your legs and reset, as the constant turning can be more taxing than standard highway driving. Since fuel costs for this trip hover around $58, fill up your tank before you depart to avoid hunting for stations along the more remote local stretches. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, keep a close eye on your navigation throughout the trip to ensure you stay on the correct path through Versailles, Clermont, and Menton. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so don't hesitate to pull over if the technical nature of the road becomes tiring.
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 210.4 miles from San Joaquin Hills, CA, or about 3h 59m 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 93 miles or 1h 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 210.4 miles or 3h 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 40m
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 San Joaquin Hills, 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 San Joaquin Hills, CA
This is one driving day of about 420.8 miles and 7h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 93 miles from San Joaquin Hills, 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 285.8 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 32
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.8 and 130.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
6.8 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the exit toward CA 55 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 17A
Toward CA 55 North
8
7.4 mi into trip|~11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CA 55 North: Anaheim, Riverside
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 55 North: Anaheim, Riverside
7
12.5 mi into trip|~18m in
Take the exit toward I 5 North: Santa Ana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 10B
Toward I 5 North: Santa Ana
9
70.5 mi into trip|~1h 25m 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
7
130.4 mi into trip|~2h 34m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$101.80 one way
$203.61 round trip
$6.15/gal25.4 MPG avg147 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.34
$105.02
$210.04
premium
$6.50
$107.62
$215.24
diesel
$6.28
$103.97
$207.95
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$102
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$127–$152
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 147.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
126.2
1
$44.18
$20.20
Efficient EV
105.2
1
$36.82
$16.83
EV Truck/SUV
168.3
2
$58.91
$26.93
Gas CO2
147 kg
EV CO2
49 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
San Joaquin Hills, CA
Afternoon
in San Joaquin Hills on Thursday
Local time
1:07 PM
PDT
Current temp
63°F
Patchy Fog
S 0 to 5 mph1% 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
Laguna, CA
Afternoon
in Laguna on Thursday
Local time
1:07 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
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
12 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 51m 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 72.5
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 130.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a technical and demanding drive rather than a mindless interstate grind, as this route features zero highway miles. The path relies entirely on local roads, creating a turn-heavy profile that requires your constant attention. Because you are avoiding major highways, the pace remains steady but deliberate as you navigate the winding segments along Versailles, Clermont, and Menton. You will find that the road's personality changes frequently, keeping you engaged as you transition through the Pacific Coast landscape. This drive is defined by its intimacy with the local terrain, offering a driving experience that favors precision over speed.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 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?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and Golden State Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.8 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 32 significant decision points across 420.8 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 6.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 51m. Total distance: 420.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 51m 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 7.9 hours each way, a round trip means 15.7 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.
