Origin
Pacifica, CA
Afternoon in Pacifica on Sunday
Local time
1:51 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pacifica, CA to Laguna, CA
Drive Time
2h 18m
Distance
112.8 mi
181 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 9m
★
6 AM
2h 19m
8 AM
2h 38m
10 AM
2h 26m
12 PM
2h 24m
3 PM
2h 26m
5 PM
2h 37m
8 PM
2h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pacifica, CA
Skyler Sion
Laguna, CA
Tori Pezzulla❤️
Trip Overview
Spanning 113.7 miles along the California coast, this drive from Pacifica to Laguna is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 58 minutes. Because the trip is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a single-day excursion, requiring no overnight stays. You should budget approximately $15 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Pacific Coast locations. The route relies on a combination of the Cabrillo Highway, Junipero Serra Freeway, and John F Foran Freeway to navigate the region. This is a practical, efficient route for travelers looking to move between these points without the need for extensive planning or multi-day pacing.
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
56.4 miles from Pacifica, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy, local driving experience rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. With a 0% highway share, you will spend your time navigating local roads that demand your full attention behind the wheel. There is no long-distance, uninterrupted stretch on the Cabrillo Highway, so you should be prepared for consistent changes in road conditions. The drive lacks long, fast segments, favoring a more technical feel that keeps you engaged throughout the entire 113.7-mile trek. It is a unique, hands-on driving experience that prioritizes local navigation over high-speed transit.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 35 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 56.6 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 CA 1 / Cabrillo Highway.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 112.8 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: near the start (CA 1 / Cabrillo Highway): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.4 miles (I 80 / Eastshore Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.7 miles (US 50; I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 25 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CA 1 / Cabrillo Highway
Turn sharp right onto CA 1 / Cabrillo Highway
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
8
26.4 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
I 80 / Eastshore Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 / Eastshore Freeway toward I 80 East: Vallejo, Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 80 East: Vallejo, Sacramento
9
95.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 55m 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
101 mi into trip
|
~2h 1m 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...
8
109 mi into trip
|
~2h 11m in
Take the exit toward Cosumnes River Boulevard, Calvine 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 289
Toward Cosumnes River Boulevard, Calvine Road
Towns Along This Route
Between Pacifica, CA and Laguna, CA, road signs point toward Oakland, Sacramento, Lake Tahoe and Fresno.
Oakland
15.3 mi in
|
~19m
Sacramento
26.4 mi in
|
~35m
|
via I 80
Lake Tahoe
95.7 mi in
|
~1h 55m
|
via US 50; I 80 Business
Fresno
101 mi in
|
~2h 1m
|
via I 80 Business
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 56.6 mi | 1h 7m |
| Eastshore Freeway | 14.3 mi | 16m |
| South Sacramento Freeway | 7.4 mi | 8m |
| Cabrillo Highway | 6.9 mi | 9m |
| Capital City Freeway | 5.5 mi | 6m |
| John F Foran Freeway | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| Yolo Causeway | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| Linus F. Claeys Freeway | 3.5 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 56.6 mi, about 1h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pacifica, CA and Laguna, CA.
1
Start on Reina del Mar Avenue
43 ft
·
9 sec
·
Reina del Mar Avenue
2
Turn sharp right onto CA 1
6.9 mi
·
9 min
·
Cabrillo Highway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
3
Keep slight right at fork onto Junipero Serra Freeway
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
·
Junipero Serra Freeway
Toward I 280 North: San Francisco Bay Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Continue on I 280
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
John F Foran Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 280
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Southern Embarcadero Freeway
Exit 54B
Toward I 280 North: Downtown San Francisco, Sixth Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 57
Toward 6th Street
Use the slight right lane.
7
Turn right onto Brannan Street
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Brannan Street
Use the right lane.
8
Turn left onto 5th Street
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
5th Street
Use the left lane.
9
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
44 sec
Toward I 80 East: Bay Bridge, Oakland
Use the slight right / right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 80
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Route 80
11
Continue on I 80
6.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 80 East
Use the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto I 880
407 ft
·
6 sec
·
Nimitz Freeway
14
Continue on I 80; I 580
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Eastshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
7.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Eastshore Freeway
Toward I 80 East: Vallejo, Sacramento
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 80
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Eastshore Freeway
Exit 21
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
17
Continue on I 80
3.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Linus F. Claeys Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 80
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
Eastshore Freeway
19
Continue on I 80
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Carquinez Bridge
20
Continue on I 80
14 mi
·
16 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
27 mi
·
31 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 80
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Yolo Causeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50; I 80 Business
5.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Capital City Freeway
Exit 82
Toward Sacramento, South Lake Tahoe
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
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, Fresno
Use the slight right lane.
26
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
Toward CA 99 South: Fresno
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Merge onto CA 99
7.4 mi
·
8 min
·
South Sacramento Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 289
Toward Cosumnes River Boulevard, Calvine Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Turn right onto Cosumnes River Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Cosumnes River Boulevard
Use the left / right lanes.
30
Turn left onto Bruceville Road
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Bruceville Road
Use the left / uturn / straight lanes.
31
Turn right onto Seasons Drive
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
Seasons Drive
32
Turn right onto November Drive
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
November Drive
33
At end of road, turn left onto Mapleview Way
155 ft
·
12 sec
·
Mapleview Way
34
Turn left onto Fall Breeze Court
183 ft
·
8 sec
·
Fall Breeze Court
35
Arrive at destination
Fall Breeze Court
Trip Plan
Since this is a compact trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though planning for traffic on local roads is always a smart move. Because the entire journey is under two hours, you likely won't need to schedule formal rest stops, allowing you to drive straight through if you prefer. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of this route makes it more fatiguing than a standard freeway drive, so stay alert. To make the most of your $15 fuel budget, ensure your tank is topped off before heading out, as local roads can lead to unpredictable fuel consumption compared to steady highway cruising. Enjoy the freedom that comes with such a manageable, single-day transit.
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 56.4 miles from Pacifica, CA, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.6 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 80 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.4 miles or 1h 10m 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 52m
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 Pacifica, 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 Pacifica, CA
This is one driving day of about 112.8 miles and 2h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Pacifica, 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 56.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 56.4 mi from Pacifica, CA · 1h 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
56 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
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
$26.12 one way
$52.24 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
40 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $26.94 | $53.88 |
| premium | $6.24 | $27.72 | $55.45 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $25.06 | $50.12 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.8 | 0 | $11.84 | $5.41 |
| Efficient EV | 28.2 | 0 | $9.87 | $4.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 45.1 | 0 | $15.79 | $7.22 |
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Laguna, CA
Afternoon in Laguna on Sunday
Local time
1:51 PM
PDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
46°F
Richmond, CA
56 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
25 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 18m 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 Pacifica, CA to Laguna, CA covers 112.8 miles and takes about 2h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, Eastshore Freeway, South Sacramento Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 56.4 miles from Pacifica, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.12 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 25 significant decision points across 112.8 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: near the start (CA 1 / Cabrillo Highway): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.4 miles (I 80 / Eastshore Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.7 miles (US 50; I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Pacifica, CA and Laguna, CA, road signs point toward Oakland, Sacramento, Lake Tahoe and Fresno.
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