Trip from Day Valley, CA to Laguna, CA

Drive Time

3h 20m

Distance

152.5 mi

245 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$35

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min

4 AM

3h 9m ★

6 AM

3h 21m

8 AM

3h 45m

10 AM

3h 29m

12 PM

3h 27m

3 PM

3h 30m

5 PM

3h 44m

8 PM

3h 14m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Laguna, CA

Tori Pezzulla❤️

Trip Overview

Spanning 153.2 miles, this drive from Day Valley to Laguna takes you through the heart of the Pacific Coast region. You should budget approximately 3 hours and 11 minutes of travel time, making it a straightforward day trip that does not require an overnight stay. With fuel costs estimated at $21, the journey is relatively affordable for a solo driver or a small group. Because there are no designated stops, you will want to plan your own breaks along the way. Overall, this route is best suited for those who prefer local roads over high-speed transit, as it remains entirely off the major highway system.

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

76.3 miles from Day Valley, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features a 0% highway share, meaning you will be navigating smaller roads for the duration of your 153.2-mile trek. The technical nature of the path requires you to stay alert through constant curves and intersections. Because there are no long, uninterrupted highway stretches, the drive maintains a consistent, localized pace from start to finish. Prepare for a hands-on driving experience that prioritizes local navigation over speed.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Westside Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 46.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and Santa Cruz Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 52.7 miles in near CA 262.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 152.5 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 52.7 miles (CA 262): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 54.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 54.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 29 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

52.7 mi into trip | ~1h 19m in | CA 262

Take the exit onto CA 262 toward Sacramento

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 12A Toward Sacramento

54.3 mi into trip | ~1h 22m in

Take the exit toward I 680 North: Sacramento

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Toward I 680 North: Sacramento

54.5 mi into trip | ~1h 22m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 680 North: Sacramento

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Toward I 680 North: Sacramento

63.3 mi into trip | ~1h 32m in | CA 84

Take the exit onto CA 84 toward CA 84 East: Livermore, Vallecitos Road

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 21B Toward CA 84 East: Livermore, Vallecitos Road

148 mi into trip | ~3h 10m 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

Towns Along This Route

Between Day Valley, CA and Laguna, CA, road signs point toward Oakland, Sacramento and Stockton.

Oakland

13.9 mi in | ~30m

Sacramento

52.7 mi in | ~1h 19m | via CA 262

Stockton

86.5 mi in | ~2h 3m | via I 205

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Westside Freeway	46.8 mi	51m
Santa Cruz Highway	26.3 mi	34m
Robert T. Monagan Freeway	14.6 mi	16m
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway	12.9 mi	14m
I 880	11.5 mi	13m
I 680	8.5 mi	9m
Cabrillo Highway	5.8 mi	6m
CA 84	5.5 mi	7m

Longest stretch: Westside Freeway — 46.8 mi, about 51m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Day Valley, CA and Laguna, CA.

Start on Fern Flat Road

3.0 mi · 11 min · Fern Flat Road

Turn right onto Trout Gulch Road

3.8 mi · 9 min · Trout Gulch Road

At end of road, turn right onto Trout Gulch Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · Trout Gulch Road

Turn right onto Soquel Drive

0.6 mi · 1 min · Soquel Drive

Turn left onto State Park Drive

457 ft · 11 sec · State Park Drive

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 29 sec

Merge onto CA 1

5.8 mi · 6 min · Cabrillo Highway

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 28 sec

Toward CA 17 North: San Jose, Oakland

Merge onto CA 17

26 mi · 34 min · Santa Cruz Highway

Use the straight lane.

Continue on I 880

12 mi · 13 min · I 880

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 880

0.6 mi · 41 sec · Nimitz Freeway

Take the exit onto CA 262

1.6 mi · 2 min · CA 262

Exit 12A Toward Sacramento Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec

Toward I 680 North: Sacramento Use the straight lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Toward I 680 North: Sacramento Use the straight lane.

Merge onto I 680

8.5 mi · 9 min · I 680

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto CA 84

5.5 mi · 7 min · CA 84

Exit 21B Toward CA 84 East: Livermore, Vallecitos Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto CA 84

4.3 mi · 6 min · Isabel Avenue

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 580 East: Stockton Use the right lane.

Merge onto I 580

13 mi · 14 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 205

3.9 mi · 4 min · Robert T. Monagan Freeway

Toward I 205 East: Tracy, Stockton

Keep slight left at fork onto I 205

11 mi · 11 min · Robert T. Monagan Freeway

Merge onto I 5

12 mi · 13 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

Since this is a 3-hour and 11-minute trip without scheduled stops, flexibility is your greatest advantage. You can easily depart at your own pace, but aim to leave early to avoid potential local traffic buildup during peak hours. Given the fuel cost of $21, it is wise to fill your tank before you head out to ensure you do not have to hunt for stations on unfamiliar local roads. Because the route is entirely comprised of turn-heavy local streets, keep a reliable GPS handy to avoid missing any critical transitions. Take advantage of the freedom to pull over whenever you need a rest, as you have the entire day to reach your destination.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 76.3 miles from Day Valley, CA, or about 1h 51m 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 80 miles or 1h 55m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 76.3 miles or 1h 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 2h 46m

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 Day Valley, 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 Day Valley, CA

This is one driving day of about 152.5 miles and 3h 20m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Day Valley, 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 46.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 76.3 mi from Day Valley, CA · 1h 51m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Santa Clara, CA

76 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Dublin, CA

Fuel and coffee

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

Dublin, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 76.3 miles from Day Valley, 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$35.32 one way

$70.63 round trip

$5.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 53 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$6.07	$36.42	$72.84
premium	$6.24	$37.48	$74.97
diesel	$5.64	$33.88	$67.76

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$35

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$60–$85

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 53.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	45.8	$16.01	$7.32
Efficient EV	38.1	$13.34	$6.10
EV Truck/SUV	61	$21.35	$9.76

Gas CO2

53 kg

EV CO2

18 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Day Valley, CA

Afternoon in Day Valley on Sunday

Local time

3:06 PM

PDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Laguna, CA

Afternoon in Laguna on Sunday

Local time

3:06 PM

PDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

47°F

Santa Clara, CA

76 mi in

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

21 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

3h 20m 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 Day Valley, CA to Laguna, CA covers 152.5 miles and takes about 3h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Westside Freeway, Santa Cruz Highway, Robert T. Monagan Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 76.3 miles from Day Valley, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.32 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.