Bolinas to Laguna is 117.1 miles and takes about 2h 37m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip connects two points within California's Pacific Coast region, offering a primarily local driving experience. With just one recommended stop and a short overall duration, this route is well-suited for a single day trip. Consider this drive if you prefer a less highway-intensive journey with more opportunities to engage with the local road network.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
58.5 miles from Bolinas, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 26m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 37m. Total distance: 117.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This route is characterized as a 'Turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll navigate a dynamic mix of roads rather than settling into a monotonous highway pace. Only 26% of the drive is on highways, so expect frequent turns and changes in speed. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 50.2 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, offering a segment of consistent travel before the local roads resume. This driving profile suggests a journey where you'll be actively steering and adjusting, making it engaging for those who enjoy a more hands-on driving experience.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 38 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 50.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23.3 miles in.
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 29 significant decision points across 117.1 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 23.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 30.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 29 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
23.3 mi into trip|~40m in
Take the exit toward San Anselmo, Richmond Bridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 450B
Toward San Anselmo, Richmond Bridge
8
23.5 mi into trip|~41m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 101 North: Richmond Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 101 North: Richmond Bridge
8
30.6 mi into trip|~51m in
Take the exit toward Richmond Parkway, Point Richmond
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 7
Toward Richmond Parkway, Point Richmond
9
100 mi into trip|~2h 14m in|US 50; I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50; I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway toward Sacramento, South Lake Tahoe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 82
Toward Sacramento, South Lake Tahoe
8
105.3 mi into trip|~2h 20m in|I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway toward I 80 Business East, CA 99 South: Reno, Fresno
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 80 Business East, CA 99 South: Reno, F...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bolinas, CA and Laguna, CA, road signs point toward San Anselmo, Point Richmond, Sacramento, Lake Tahoe and Fresno.
San Anselmo
23.3 mi in|~40m
Point Richmond
30.6 mi in|~51m
Sacramento
100 mi in|~2h 14m|via US 50; I 80 Business
Lake Tahoe
100 mi in|~2h 14m|via US 50; I 80 Business
Fresno
105.3 mi in|~2h 20m|via I 80 Business
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
50.2 mi
58m
Shoreline Highway
16.8 mi
30m
South Sacramento Freeway
7.4 mi
8m
Capital City Freeway
5.5 mi
6m
John T. Knox Freeway
5.3 mi
7m
Richmond Parkway
5.2 mi
6m
Redwood Highway
4.3 mi
5m
Yolo Causeway
3.7 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 50.2 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bolinas, CA and Laguna, CA.
1
Start on Wharf Road
57 ft·2 sec·Wharf Road
2
Continue on Olema Bolinas Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Olema Bolinas Road
3
Continue on Olema Bolinas Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Olema Bolinas Road
4
Turn right onto CA 1
16 mi·28 min·Shoreline Highway
5
At end of road, turn right onto CA 1
0.8 mi·1 min·Shoreline Highway
6
Take the ramp
465 ft·9 sec
Toward US 101 North
7
Merge onto US 101
4.3 mi·5 min·Redwood Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 450BToward San Anselmo, Richmond BridgeUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward US 101 North: Richmond BridgeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn slight right
268 ft·6 sec
Toward Richmond BridgeUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn straight onto Sir Francis Drake Boulevard East
1.4 mi·2 min·Sir Francis Drake Boulevard East
Use the left / uturn lanes.
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·27 sec
Toward I 580 East
13
Merge onto I 580
5.3 mi·7 min·John T. Knox Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 7Toward Richmond Parkway, Point RichmondUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on Frontage Road
0.3 mi·28 sec·Frontage Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
16
Turn straight onto Castro Street
1.9 mi·3 min·Castro Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Merge onto Richmond Parkway
5.2 mi·6 min·Richmond Parkway
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 80 East: SacramentoUse the right lane.
19
Merge onto I 80
2.9 mi·3 min·Eastshore Freeway
Exit 21
20
Continue on I 80
3.5 mi·3 min·Linus F. Claeys Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 80
0.3 mi·26 sec·Eastshore Freeway
22
Continue on I 80
1.0 mi·1 min·Carquinez Bridge
23
Continue on I 80
14 mi·16 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
27 mi·31 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
8.4 mi·9 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on I 80
3.7 mi·4 min·Yolo Causeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50; I 80 Business
5.3 mi·5 min·Capital City Freeway
Exit 82Toward Sacramento, South Lake TahoeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business
0.3 mi·18 sec·Capital City Freeway
Toward I 80 Business East, CA 99 South: Reno, FresnoUse the slight right lane.
29
Take the exit
0.4 mi·34 sec
Toward CA 99 South: FresnoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Merge onto CA 99
7.4 mi·8 min·South Sacramento Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 289Toward Cosumnes River Boulevard, Calvine RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Turn right onto Cosumnes River Boulevard
0.3 mi·27 sec·Cosumnes River Boulevard
Use the left / right lanes.
33
Turn left onto Bruceville Road
2.7 mi·5 min·Bruceville Road
Use the left / uturn / straight lanes.
34
Turn right onto Seasons Drive
0.3 mi·50 sec·Seasons Drive
35
Turn right onto November Drive
0.1 mi·29 sec·November Drive
36
At end of road, turn left onto Mapleview Way
155 ft·12 sec·Mapleview Way
37
Turn left onto Fall Breeze Court
183 ft·8 sec·Fall Breeze Court
38
Arrive at destination
Fall Breeze Court
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 37m estimated drive time and 117.1 miles, this is a comfortable one-day trip. You can easily complete it with daylight to spare, so consider an early morning departure to maximize your time at your destination. With only one recommended stop and a reasonable fuel cost of around $27, you won't need extensive planning for services. The 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile means staying attentive to navigation is key; be sure your GPS is set up before you leave, especially for the 50.2-mile stretch on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway where you'll want to maintain focus.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 58.5 miles from Bolinas, CA, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.2 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 26 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.5 miles or 1h 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 9m
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 Bolinas, 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 Bolinas, CA
This is one driving day of about 117.1 miles and 2h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Bolinas, 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 50.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 58.5 mi from Bolinas, CA
· 1h 26m into the drive
The midpoint is around 58.5 miles from Bolinas, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Laguna, CA
The final approach into Laguna, CA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Laguna, CA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
National Recreation 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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 12.1
Caution: Auto-Theft Warning - Only Bring What You Need to the Park
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,...
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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 20.2
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 48.5
From its thunderous ocean breakers crashing against rocky headlands and expansive sand beaches to its open grasslands, brushy hillsides, and forested ridges, Point Reyes offers visitors over 1500 spec...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.91 one way
$53.83 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$27.74
$55.47
premium
$6.18
$28.48
$56.95
diesel
$5.61
$25.85
$51.71
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 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
35.1
0
$12.30
$5.62
Efficient EV
29.3
0
$10.25
$4.68
EV Truck/SUV
46.8
0
$16.39
$7.49
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
Bolinas, CA
Morning
in Bolinas on Friday
Local time
9:49 AM
PDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Laguna, CA
Morning
in Laguna on Friday
Local time
9:49 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 37m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Bolinas, CA to Laguna, CA covers 117.1 miles and takes about 2h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, Shoreline Highway, South Sacramento Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 58.5 miles from Bolinas, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.91 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 117.1 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 23.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 30.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Bolinas, CA and Laguna, CA, road signs point toward San Anselmo, Point Richmond, Sacramento, Lake Tahoe and Fresno.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Muir Woods National Monument and Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
