Origin
Ladera Heights, CA
Afternoon in Ladera Heights on Sunday
Local time
2:50 PM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ladera Heights, CA to Laguna, CA
Drive Time
6h 58m
Distance
376.6 mi
606 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$87
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 47m
★
6 AM
6h 59m
8 AM
7h 21m
10 AM
7h 6m
12 PM
7h 4m
3 PM
7h 8m
5 PM
7h 20m
8 PM
6h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ladera Heights, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Laguna, CA
Tori Pezzulla❤️
Trip Overview
Traveling from Ladera Heights to Laguna covers 376.6 miles and typically takes about 6 hours and 58 minutes of driving time. Because this journey is almost entirely highway-focused, it is feasible to complete as a single-day trip if you are comfortable behind the wheel for a full day. You should budget approximately $87 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Pacific Coast locations. While the route is straightforward, the time commitment suggests you should plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Whether you tackle this in one push or prefer a more leisurely pace, knowing the duration helps set realistic expectations for your travel day.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
188.3 miles from Ladera Heights, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 30m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a high-speed, interstate-heavy experience, as 98% of your travel occurs on major highways like the Westside Freeway, I-5 Truck, and the San Diego Freeway. You will spend the vast majority of your time on the Westside Freeway, which accounts for a significant 285.8-mile uninterrupted stretch. This is a classic highway-focused drive, prioritizing efficiency and speed over technical or winding backroads. As you transition between these major arteries, the road maintains a consistent, fast-paced character that demands steady attention. Prepare for a long, focused haul where the rhythm of the interstate defines the entire experience.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 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 285.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck. 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 West Slauson Avenue.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 376.6 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 0.5 miles (West Slauson Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles (CA 90 / Marina Freeway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.4 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.5 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
West Slauson Avenue
Turn right onto West Slauson Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
1.2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
CA 90 / Marina Freeway
Turn left onto CA 90 / Marina Freeway toward CA 90 West, I 405 North
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward CA 90 West, I 405 North
9
26.4 mi into trip
|
~32m 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
86.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 41m 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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 5 North
7
372.1 mi into trip
|
~6h 48m 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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 285.8 mi | 5h 7m |
| I 5 Truck | 39.3 mi | 45m |
| San Diego Freeway | 22.8 mi | 26m |
| Golden State Freeway | 22.3 mi | 25m |
| Elk Grove Boulevard | 3 mi | 5m |
| West Slauson Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Foulks Ranch Drive | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Marina Freeway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 285.8 mi, about 5h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ladera Heights, CA and Laguna, CA.
1
Start on Bedford Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Bedford Avenue
2
At end of road, turn right onto West 57th Street
323 ft
·
20 sec
·
West 57th Street
3
Turn left onto Shenandoah Avenue
374 ft
·
20 sec
·
Shenandoah Avenue
4
Turn right onto West Slauson Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Slauson Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Turn left onto CA 90
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
·
Marina Freeway
Toward CA 90 West, I 405 North
Use the left lane.
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
Toward I 405 North: Sacramento
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 405
23 mi
·
26 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the none lane.
8
Merge onto I 5 Truck
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 5 Truck
Exit 161A
Toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
36 mi
·
41 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
22 mi
·
25 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
226 mi
·
4 hr 1 min
·
Westside Freeway
Toward I 5 North
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
26 mi
·
27 min
·
Westside Freeway
14
Keep left at fork onto I 5
35 mi
·
37 min
·
Westside Freeway
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 506
Toward Elk Grove Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn right onto E12
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Elk Grove Boulevard
Use the left / uturn / none lanes.
17
Turn left onto Foulks Ranch Drive
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Foulks Ranch Drive
Use the left lane.
18
At end of road, turn right onto Laguna Park Drive
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Laguna Park Drive
19
Turn right onto Seasons Drive
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
Seasons Drive
20
Turn left onto November Drive
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
November Drive
21
At end of road, turn left onto Mapleview Way
155 ft
·
12 sec
·
Mapleview Way
22
Turn left onto Fall Breeze Court
183 ft
·
8 sec
·
Fall Breeze Court
23
Arrive at destination
Fall Breeze Court
Trip Plan
To manage the nearly seven-hour duration effectively, aim for an early morning departure to avoid peak congestion on the major freeways. Since this is a highway-intensive route, utilize your one recommended stop to refuel and reset before tackling the longest 285.8-mile segment. Check your tire pressure and fluid levels before heading out, as the sustained highway speeds will put your vehicle to the test. If you find the 376.6-mile distance taxing, remember that you have the flexibility to add extra breaks, though staying on the main corridors will keep your arrival time predictable. Keep your fuel budget of $87 in mind and plan to fill up during your mid-trip stop to avoid any unnecessary range anxiety.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 188.3 miles from Ladera Heights, CA, or about 3h 30m 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 83 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 188.3 miles or 3h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 48m
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 Ladera Heights, 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 Ladera Heights, CA
This is one driving day of about 376.6 miles and 6h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Ladera Heights, 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 285.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 188.3 mi from Ladera Heights, CA · 3h 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
188 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 83 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 188.3 miles from Ladera Heights, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 285.8 miles.
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$87.21 one way
$174.42 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
132 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $89.94 | $179.88 |
| premium | $6.24 | $92.56 | $185.13 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $83.67 | $167.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$87
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$112–$137
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 131.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 113 | 1 | $39.54 | $18.08 |
| Efficient EV | 94.2 | 1 | $32.95 | $15.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 150.6 | 1 | $52.72 | $24.10 |
Gas CO2
132 kg
EV CO2
44 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.
Destination
Laguna, CA
Afternoon in Laguna on Sunday
Local time
2:50 PM
PDT
Current temp
72°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
16 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
6h 58m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Ladera Heights, CA to Laguna, CA covers 376.6 miles and takes about 6h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, San Diego 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 188.3 miles from Ladera Heights, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $87.21 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 376.6 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 0.5 miles (West Slauson Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles (CA 90 / Marina Freeway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.4 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Ladera Heights, CA to Laguna, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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