Trip from Laguna, CA to Clearlake, CA

Drive Time

2h 23m

Distance

115.9 mi

187 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 14m ★
6 AM
2h 24m
8 AM
2h 43m
10 AM
2h 30m
12 PM
2h 28m
3 PM
2h 31m
5 PM
2h 42m
8 PM
2h 18m

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

Downtown Laguna, CA, CA

Laguna, CA

Tori Pezzulla❤️

Downtown Clearlake, CA, CA

Clearlake, CA

Dominik Gryzbon

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Laguna to Clearlake, expect a 115.9-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 23 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a relatively short distance, it works perfectly as a one-day trip, requiring no overnight stays. You will primarily navigate via Mapleview Way, November Drive, and Seasons Drive as you travel within the Pacific Coast region. Budget approximately $16 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Since there are no designated stops planned on this route, it is a straightforward point-to-point transit that prioritizes efficiency over sightseeing detours.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

58 miles from Laguna, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .

Drive Character

Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. You will spend 0% of your time on highways, meaning the entire experience relies on navigating local roads. There is no long, uninterrupted stretch of road here, as the longest segment on Mapleview Way is negligible. The route feels intimate and technical, requiring you to stay alert as you transition between the various local thoroughfares. Expect a driving experience defined by frequent turns and constant maneuvering rather than high-speed highway travel.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 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 58.9 miles.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,814 ft 13 ft

Total Climb

2,711 ft

Total Descent

1,308 ft

Highest Point

1,814 ft

~96.6 mi in

Elevation Range

1,801 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and CA 20. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near Laguna Boulevard.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 115.9 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 0.8 miles (Laguna Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 12.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

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

6
0.8 mi into trip | ~2m in | Laguna Boulevard

Turn right onto Laguna Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
7
12.2 mi into trip | ~16m in

Take the exit toward US 50 West, US 50 East: San Francisco, South Lake Tahoe

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. Toward US 50 West, US 50 East: San Francisco, S...
7
12.7 mi into trip | ~17m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 50 West: San Francisco

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 50 West: San Francisco
8
14.7 mi into trip | ~19m in

Take the exit toward I 5: Los Angeles, Redding

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 4A Toward I 5: Los Angeles, Redding
9
14.9 mi into trip | ~20m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 5 North: Redding

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 4A Toward I 5 North: Redding

Towns Along This Route

Between Laguna, CA and Clearlake, CA, road signs point toward Lake Tahoe, Redding and Clear Lake.

Lake Tahoe

12.2 mi in | ~16m

Redding

14.7 mi in | ~19m

Clear Lake

74.4 mi in | ~1h 25m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Westside Freeway 58.9 mi 1h 4m
CA 20 37 mi 50m
South Sacramento Freeway 9.9 mi 11m
CA 53 3.9 mi 5m
Capital City Freeway 1.2 mi 1m
Laguna Boulevard 1.2 mi 2m
Seasons Drive 0.3 mi <1m
Bruceville Road 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Westside Freeway — 58.9 mi, about 1h 4m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Fall Breeze Court

183 ft · 10 sec · Fall Breeze Court
2

Turn right onto Mapleview Way

155 ft · 10 sec · Mapleview Way
3

Turn right onto November Drive

0.1 mi · 25 sec · November Drive
4

Turn left onto Seasons Drive

0.3 mi · 48 sec · Seasons Drive
5

Turn left onto Bruceville Road

0.3 mi · 42 sec · Bruceville Road
6

Turn right onto Laguna Boulevard

1.2 mi · 2 min · Laguna Boulevard
Use the right lane.
7

Continue on Bond Road

0.2 mi · 15 sec · Bond Road
8

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Toward CA 99 North: Sacramento
9

Merge onto CA 99

9.9 mi · 11 min · South Sacramento Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 33 sec
Toward US 50 West, US 50 East: San Francisco, South Lake Tahoe Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward US 50 West: San Francisco Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Continue on US 50

1.2 mi · 1 min · Capital City Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 15 sec
Exit 4A Toward I 5: Los Angeles, Redding Use the slight right lane.
14

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 30 sec
Exit 4A Toward I 5 North: Redding Use the slight right lane.
15

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Toward I 5: Redding
16

Merge onto I 5

6.7 mi · 7 min · Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

52 mi · 56 min · Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Toward CA 20: Colusa, Clear Lake
19

Turn left onto CA 20

37 mi · 50 min · CA 20
20

Enter roundabout onto CA 53

223 ft · 2 sec · CA 53
21

Continue on CA 53

3.9 mi · 5 min · CA 53
22

Turn right onto Polk Avenue

331 ft · 18 sec · Polk Avenue
23

Turn left onto Lincoln Avenue

0.1 mi · 28 sec · Lincoln Avenue
24

Continue on Duncan Avenue

0.2 mi · 37 sec · Duncan Avenue
25

Arrive at destination

Duncan Avenue

Trip Plan

Since this 2-hour and 23-minute drive lacks major highway segments, try to depart during daylight hours to better navigate the turn-heavy local roads. With no formal stops built into the itinerary, you have the flexibility to pull over whenever you need a break, so keep an eye out for safe areas along the route. Given the $16 fuel estimate, it is wise to ensure your tank is topped off before leaving to avoid searching for stations on smaller, local roads. Because you are navigating strictly through local streets, rely on your navigation system to manage the frequent transitions between Mapleview Way, November Drive, and Seasons Drive.

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 miles from Laguna, CA, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.9 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 33m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 58 miles or 1h 7m 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 Clearlake, CA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Laguna, 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 Laguna, CA

This is one driving day of about 115.9 miles and 2h 23m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Laguna, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 58.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 58 mi from Laguna, CA · 1h 7m into the drive

Downtown Windsor, CA, CA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Windsor, CA

58 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

Windsor, CA

Fuel and coffee

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

Davis, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 58 miles from Laguna, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Clearlake, CA

The final approach into Clearlake, 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 Clearlake, 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

$26.84 one way

$53.68 round trip

$5.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 41 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.07 $27.68 $55.36
premium $6.24 $28.49 $56.97
diesel $5.64 $25.75 $51.50

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: 40.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 34.8 0 $12.17 $5.56
Efficient EV 29 0 $10.14 $4.64
EV Truck/SUV 46.4 0 $16.23 $7.42

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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Laguna, CA

Afternoon in Laguna on Sunday

Local time

1:47 PM

PDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Clearlake, CA

Afternoon in Clearlake on Sunday

Local time

1:47 PM

PDT

Current temp

48°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

24 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

2h 23m 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 Laguna, CA to Clearlake, CA covers 115.9 miles and takes about 2h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, CA 20, South Sacramento 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 58 miles from Laguna, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.84 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 115.9 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 0.8 miles (Laguna Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 12.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Laguna, CA and Clearlake, CA, road signs point toward Lake Tahoe, Redding and Clear Lake.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 13 ft to 1,814 ft elevation with about 2,711 ft of total climbing.

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