This 64.1-mile drive from Laguna, CA to Concord, CA takes approximately 1 hour and 33 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. The route is primarily on the Victory Highway and CA 4, with a section of the Westside Freeway. With a projected fuel cost of around $15, this drive offers an economical journey. As both your origin and destination are within the Pacific Coast region, you'll stay within the familiar California landscape. This trip is easily manageable in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
32 miles from Laguna, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 51m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 33m. Total distance: 64.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (36%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive presents a mixed profile, with about 36% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter stretches of the Victory Highway, including a continuous 24.6-mile segment, which will likely offer a more direct and potentially faster pace. As you transition to CA 4 and the Westside Freeway, expect the character of the drive to shift towards a more urban or suburban feel. This blend means you'll experience both open road conditions and potentially busier traffic as you approach Concord.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Victory Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 24.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Mapleview Way.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 64.1 miles you will encounter 24 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Mapleview Way): Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles (J8 / Franklin Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 45.6 miles (CA 160): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 24 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Mapleview Way
Turn right onto Mapleview Way
Navigation decision point
6
3.4 mi into trip|~7m in|J8 / Franklin Boulevard
Keep slight right at fork onto J8 / Franklin Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
45.6 mi into trip|~1h 9m in|CA 160
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 160 toward CA 4 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward CA 4 West
8
60.9 mi into trip|~1h 28m in|CA 242
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 242 toward CA 242: Oakland, Concord
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward CA 242: Oakland, Concord
7
62.8 mi into trip|~1h 30m in
Take the exit toward Solano Way, Grant Street
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 Solano Way, Grant Street
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Victory Highway
24.6 mi
34m
CA 4
14.6 mi
16m
Westside Freeway
6.2 mi
6m
River Road
4.2 mi
6m
Twin Cities Road
4.2 mi
7m
Franklin Boulevard
2.3 mi
4m
CA 242
1.9 mi
1m
Hood Franklin Road
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Victory Highway
— 24.6 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Laguna, CA and Concord, 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·28 sec·November Drive
4
Turn right onto Seasons Drive
0.2 mi·36 sec·Seasons Drive
5
Turn left onto Laguna Park Drive
0.2 mi·33 sec·Laguna Park Drive
6
Turn left onto Foulks Ranch Drive
0.7 mi·1 min·Foulks Ranch Drive
7
Turn right onto E12
1.0 mi·1 min·Elk Grove Boulevard
8
Turn left onto J8
1.1 mi·1 min·Franklin Boulevard
Use the left / uturn lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto J8
1.2 mi·2 min·Franklin Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn right onto Hood Franklin Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Hood Franklin Road
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
12
Merge onto I 5
6.2 mi·6 min·Westside Freeway
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Twin Cities Road
14
Turn right onto E13
4.2 mi·7 min·Twin Cities Road
15
At end of road, turn left onto E13
2.2 mi·3 min·River Road
16
Turn right onto J11
461 ft·57 sec·Walnut Grove Bridge
17
Turn left onto CA 160
2.2 mi·3 min·Victory Highway
18
Continue on CA 160
5.9 mi·8 min·Victory Highway
19
Continue on CA 160
0.1 mi·1 min·Victory Highway
20
Turn right onto CA 160
1.2 mi·1 min·River Road
21
Continue on CA 160
469 ft·8 sec·2nd Street
22
Continue on CA 160
0.8 mi·1 min·River Road
23
Continue on CA 160
16 mi·21 min·Victory Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 160
0.8 mi·1 min·CA 160
Toward CA 4 WestUse the slight right lane.
25
Merge onto CA 4
15 mi·16 min·CA 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 242
1.9 mi·1 min·CA 242
Toward CA 242: Oakland, ConcordUse the slight right lane.
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward Solano Way, Grant StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Turn left onto Grant Street
0.4 mi·52 sec·Grant Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
29
Continue on East Street
0.5 mi·1 min·East Street
30
Turn right onto Salvio Street
384 ft·15 sec·Salvio Street
31
Turn left onto Colfax Street
363 ft·17 sec·Colfax Street
32
Turn left onto Willow Pass Road
273 ft·15 sec·Willow Pass Road
33
Arrive at destination
Willow Pass Road
Trip Plan
Given its manageable 1 hour and 33-minute duration, this route is best tackled in a single day, offering you plenty of flexibility. Consider departing mid-morning to avoid the most intense rush hour traffic in either direction. While there are no mandatory stops suggested, you'll have the freedom to pause as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $15, and plan your refueling accordingly, especially before the longest 24.6-mile stretch on Victory Highway.
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 32 miles from Laguna, CA, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 24.6 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 14 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 32 miles or 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 1h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Concord, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Laguna, CA
This is one driving day of about 64.1 miles and 1h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Laguna, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Victory Highway for about 24.6 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
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...
19 mi from route
~46 min detour
Free
near mile 64.1
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...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 64.1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
19.2
0
$6.73
$3.08
Efficient EV
16
0
$5.61
$2.56
EV Truck/SUV
25.6
0
$8.97
$4.10
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (68% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Laguna, CA
Evening
in Laguna on Thursday
Local time
7:11 PM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Concord, CA
Evening
in Concord on Thursday
Local time
7:11 PM
PDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
67°F
Rio Vista, CA
32 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
3 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
1h 33m 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 Concord, CA covers 64.1 miles and takes about 1h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Victory Highway, CA 4, Westside Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 32 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 $14.73 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 64.1 miles you will encounter 24 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Mapleview Way): Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles (J8 / Franklin Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 45.6 miles (CA 160): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Laguna, CA to Concord, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park.
