Spanning 123.9 miles, this drive from Rio Dell to Laguna offers a focused journey through the Pacific Coast region. You should anticipate a travel time of approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes, making this an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. With a total estimated fuel cost of $17, it is a budget-friendly way to navigate between these two California locations. Because the route is entirely local, you won't encounter any major interstate stretches, allowing for a more intimate pace. Consider this trip if you prefer a direct, turn-heavy transit over the typical high-speed highway experience.
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
58 miles from Rio Dell, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 23m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 33m. Total distance: 116 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a technical and engaging experience behind the wheel, as this route is defined by its turn-heavy local roads. With a highway share of 0%, you will stay off the major interstates and remain on smaller, more demanding pavement throughout the entire 123.9-mile distance. The road profile demands your full attention, lacking the monotonous stretches found on typical highway commutes. Because the route is categorized as a local drive, the character of the road remains consistent, requiring you to navigate frequent bends and changes in direction from start to finish.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 42 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 38.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 26 miles in near CA 116.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 116 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 26 miles (CA 116): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.6 miles (CA 29 / Saint Helena Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 98.9 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 27 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
26 mi into trip|~38m in|CA 116
Take the exit onto CA 116 toward CA 116 East: Sonoma, Napa
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 472B
Toward CA 116 East: Sonoma, Napa
6
46.6 mi into trip|~1h 9m in|CA 29 / Saint Helena Highway
Turn right onto CA 29 / Saint Helena Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
98.9 mi into trip|~2h 10m 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
104.2 mi into trip|~2h 16m 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
112.3 mi into trip|~2h 25m 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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Rio Dell, CA and Laguna, CA, road signs point toward Napa, Sacramento, Lake Tahoe and Fresno.
Napa
26 mi in|~38m|via CA 116
Sacramento
98.9 mi in|~2h 10m|via US 50; I 80 Business
Lake Tahoe
98.9 mi in|~2h 10m|via US 50; I 80 Business
Fresno
104.2 mi in|~2h 16m|via I 80 Business
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
38.2 mi
44m
Redwood Highway
8.4 mi
9m
Gravenstein Highway
7.6 mi
11m
South Sacramento Freeway
7.4 mi
8m
Jameson Canyon Road
6.2 mi
7m
Gravenstein Highway North
5.7 mi
8m
Capital City Freeway
5.5 mi
6m
Fremont Drive
5 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 38.2 mi, about 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rio Dell, CA and Laguna, CA.
1
Start on Westside Road
136 ft·10 sec·Westside Road
2
Turn right onto Rio Vista Road
93 ft·4 sec·Rio Vista Road
3
Continue on Rio Vista Road
0.2 mi·50 sec·Rio Vista Road
4
Continue on Rio Vista Road
325 ft·15 sec·Rio Vista Road
5
At end of road, turn right onto River Road
0.7 mi·1 min·River Road
6
Turn right onto Mirabel Road
1.4 mi·2 min·Mirabel Road
Use the right lane.
7
At end of road, turn left onto CA 116
0.3 mi·29 sec·Front Street
8
Continue on CA 116
5.7 mi·8 min·Gravenstein Highway North
9
Continue on CA 116
0.5 mi·50 sec·Healdsburg Avenue
10
Continue on CA 116
0.8 mi·1 min·North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on CA 116
7.6 mi·11 min·Gravenstein Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Take the ramp onto CA 116
0.3 mi·36 sec·CA 116
Toward US 101 South: San FranciscoUse the right lane.
13
Merge onto US 101; CA 116
8.4 mi·9 min·Redwood Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto CA 116
0.3 mi·55 sec·CA 116
Exit 472BToward CA 116 East: Sonoma, NapaUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn left onto Lakeville Highway
1.5 mi·2 min·Lakeville Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Turn left onto Frates Road
1.5 mi·2 min·Frates Road
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on Adobe Road
3.2 mi·4 min·Adobe Road
18
Continue on CA 116
3.3 mi·5 min·Stage Gulch Road
19
Continue on CA 116
1.6 mi·2 min·Arnold Drive
20
Enter roundabout onto CA 121
225 ft·3 sec·Fremont Drive
21
Continue on CA 121
4.9 mi·7 min·Fremont Drive
22
Continue on CA 12; CA 121
4.4 mi·6 min·Carneros Highway
23
Turn right onto CA 29
2.7 mi·3 min·Saint Helena Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on CA 12; CA 29
1.3 mi·1 min·Napa–Vallejo Highway
25
Turn left onto CA 12
6.2 mi·7 min·Jameson Canyon Road
Use the left / uturn lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 12
0.3 mi·38 sec·CA 12
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Merge onto I 80; CA 12
2.5 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the slight right lane.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
27 mi·31 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
8.4 mi·9 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on I 80
3.7 mi·4 min·Yolo Causeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50; I 80 Business
5.3 mi·5 min·Capital City Freeway
Exit 82Toward Sacramento, South Lake TahoeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
32
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, FresnoUse the slight right lane.
33
Take the exit
0.4 mi·34 sec
Toward CA 99 South: FresnoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Merge onto CA 99
7.4 mi·8 min·South Sacramento Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 289Toward Cosumnes River Boulevard, Calvine RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Turn right onto Cosumnes River Boulevard
0.3 mi·27 sec·Cosumnes River Boulevard
Use the left / right lanes.
37
Turn left onto Bruceville Road
2.7 mi·5 min·Bruceville Road
Use the left / uturn / straight lanes.
38
Turn right onto Seasons Drive
0.3 mi·50 sec·Seasons Drive
39
Turn right onto November Drive
0.1 mi·29 sec·November Drive
40
At end of road, turn left onto Mapleview Way
155 ft·12 sec·Mapleview Way
41
Turn left onto Fall Breeze Court
183 ft·8 sec·Fall Breeze Court
42
Arrive at destination
Fall Breeze Court
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short 2-hour and 20-minute journey, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around your personal schedule. While the trip is short enough to drive in one go, remember that the lack of highway miles means your average speed will be lower than usual. Keep your estimated $17 fuel budget in mind before you head out, as local roads can sometimes impact gas mileage compared to steady highway cruising. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, prioritize your comfort and take breaks if you find the constant steering fatiguing. Staying alert is key, so verify your vehicle is ready for a winding, non-highway drive before you depart.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 58 miles from Rio Dell, CA, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.2 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 26 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58 miles or 1h 23m 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 6m
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 Rio Dell, 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 Rio Dell, CA
This is one driving day of about 116 miles and 2h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Rio Dell, 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 38.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 58 mi from Rio Dell, CA
· 1h 23m into the drive
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...
From its thunderous ocean breakers crashing against rocky headlands and expansive sand beaches to its open grasslands, brushy hillsides, and forested ridges, Point Reyes offers visitors over 1500 spec...
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...
Walk among old growth coast redwoods, cooling their roots in the fresh water of Redwood Creek and lifting their crowns to reach the sun and fog. Federally protected as a National Monument since 1908,...
Experience a park so rich it supports 19 distinct ecosystems with over 2,000 plant and animal species. Go for a hike, enjoy a vista, have a picnic or learn about the centuries of overlapping history f...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.66 one way
$53.32 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$27.47
$54.95
premium
$6.18
$28.21
$56.42
diesel
$5.61
$25.61
$51.22
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, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
21 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
EVgo Charging Station
Sacramento, California
EVgo
1 DCFC
EV Connect Charging Station
Sacramento, California
EV Connect
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Sacramento, California
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
West Sacramento, California
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Electrify America Charging Station
Sacramento, California
Electrify America
1 DCFC
EVgo Charging Station
Sacramento, California
EVgo
1 DCFC
EVgo Charging Station
Sacramento, California
EVgo
1 DCFC
EVgo Charging Station
Sacramento, California
EVgo
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 11
EVgo: 4
EV Connect: 3
Electrify America: 3
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.8
0
$12.18
$5.57
Efficient EV
29
0
$10.15
$4.64
EV Truck/SUV
46.4
0
$16.24
$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 as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Rio Dell, CA
Morning
in Rio Dell on Saturday
Local time
8:07 AM
PDT
Current temp
45°F
Mostly Clear
N 1 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 18 at 1:22AM PDT until April 18 at 8:00AM PDT by NWS Eureka CA
Destination
Laguna, CA
Morning
in Laguna on Saturday
Local time
8:07 AM
PDT
Current temp
46°F
Partly Cloudy
SSE 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 18 at 1:22AM PDT until April 18 at 8:00AM PDT by NWS Eureka CA
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
1 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 33m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Rio Dell, CA to Laguna, CA covers 116 miles and takes about 2h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, Redwood Highway, Gravenstein Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 58 miles from Rio Dell, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.66 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 116 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 26 miles (CA 116): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.6 miles (CA 29 / Saint Helena Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 98.9 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 Rio Dell, CA and Laguna, CA, road signs point toward Napa, Sacramento, Lake Tahoe and Fresno.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, Point Reyes National Seashore and Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park. There are 5 parks within detour distance of this route.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
