The drive from Tamalpais Valley, CA to Laguna, CA covers 100.3 miles and takes about 2h 8m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, South Sacramento Freeway, Capital City Freeway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 50.2 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.05 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
50.2 miles from Tamalpais Valley, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 7m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 8m. Total distance: 100.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (30%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Tamalpais Valley, CA to Laguna, CA covers 100.3 miles and takes about 2h 8m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 38 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 50.2 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 around 6.6 miles in.
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 30 significant decision points across 100.3 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 6.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 30 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
6.6 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward San Anselmo, Richmond Bridge
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 450B
Toward San Anselmo, Richmond Bridge
8
6.7 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 101 North: Richmond Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 101 North: Richmond Bridge
8
13.9 mi into trip|~22m in
Take the exit toward Richmond Parkway, Point Richmond
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 7
Toward Richmond Parkway, Point Richmond
9
83.2 mi into trip|~1h 45m 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
88.5 mi into trip|~1h 51m 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...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Tamalpais Valley, CA and Laguna, CA, road signs point toward San Anselmo, Point Richmond, Sacramento, Lake Tahoe and Fresno.
San Anselmo
6.6 mi in|~12m
Point Richmond
13.9 mi in|~22m
Sacramento
83.2 mi in|~1h 45m|via US 50; I 80 Business
Lake Tahoe
83.2 mi in|~1h 45m|via US 50; I 80 Business
Fresno
88.5 mi in|~1h 51m|via I 80 Business
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
50.2 mi
58m
South Sacramento Freeway
7.4 mi
8m
Capital City Freeway
5.5 mi
6m
John T. Knox Freeway
5.3 mi
7m
Richmond Parkway
5.2 mi
6m
Redwood Highway
4.3 mi
5m
Yolo Causeway
3.7 mi
4m
Linus F. Claeys Freeway
3.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 50.2 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tamalpais Valley, CA and Laguna, CA.
1
Start on Northern Avenue
0.2 mi·54 sec·Northern Avenue
2
Continue on Northern Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·Northern Avenue
3
At end of road, turn left onto Maple Street
34 ft·6 sec·Maple Street
4
Turn right onto CA 1
0.8 mi·1 min·Shoreline Highway
5
At end of road, turn right onto CA 1
0.8 mi·1 min·Shoreline Highway
6
Take the ramp
465 ft·9 sec
Toward US 101 North
7
Merge onto US 101
4.3 mi·5 min·Redwood Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 450BToward San Anselmo, Richmond BridgeUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward US 101 North: Richmond BridgeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn slight right
268 ft·6 sec
Toward Richmond BridgeUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn straight onto Sir Francis Drake Boulevard East
1.4 mi·2 min·Sir Francis Drake Boulevard East
Use the left / uturn lanes.
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·27 sec
Toward I 580 East
13
Merge onto I 580
5.3 mi·7 min·John T. Knox Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 7Toward Richmond Parkway, Point RichmondUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on Frontage Road
0.3 mi·28 sec·Frontage Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
16
Turn straight onto Castro Street
1.9 mi·3 min·Castro Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Merge onto Richmond Parkway
5.2 mi·6 min·Richmond Parkway
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 80 East: SacramentoUse the right lane.
19
Merge onto I 80
2.9 mi·3 min·Eastshore Freeway
Exit 21
20
Continue on I 80
3.5 mi·3 min·Linus F. Claeys Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 80
0.3 mi·26 sec·Eastshore Freeway
22
Continue on I 80
1.0 mi·1 min·Carquinez Bridge
23
Continue on I 80
14 mi·16 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
27 mi·31 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
8.4 mi·9 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on I 80
3.7 mi·4 min·Yolo Causeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
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.
28
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.
29
Take the exit
0.4 mi·34 sec
Toward CA 99 South: FresnoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Merge onto CA 99
7.4 mi·8 min·South Sacramento Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 289Toward Cosumnes River Boulevard, Calvine RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Turn right onto Cosumnes River Boulevard
0.3 mi·27 sec·Cosumnes River Boulevard
Use the left / right lanes.
33
Turn left onto Bruceville Road
2.7 mi·5 min·Bruceville Road
Use the left / uturn / straight lanes.
34
Turn right onto Seasons Drive
0.3 mi·50 sec·Seasons Drive
35
Turn right onto November Drive
0.1 mi·29 sec·November Drive
36
At end of road, turn left onto Mapleview Way
155 ft·12 sec·Mapleview Way
37
Turn left onto Fall Breeze Court
183 ft·8 sec·Fall Breeze Court
38
Arrive at destination
Fall Breeze Court
Trip Plan
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 50.2 miles from Tamalpais Valley, CA, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.2 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 22 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.2 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 44m
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 Tamalpais Valley, 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 Tamalpais Valley, CA
This is one driving day of about 100.3 miles and 2h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Tamalpais Valley, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 50.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 50.2 mi from Tamalpais Valley, CA
· 1h 7m 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.
Muir Woods National Monument
National Monument
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 31.1
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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 6.9
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.1
0
$10.53
$4.81
Efficient EV
25.1
0
$8.78
$4.01
EV Truck/SUV
40.1
0
$14.04
$6.42
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 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 17, 2026
Origin
Tamalpais Valley, CA
Late night
in Tamalpais Valley on Friday
Local time
12:51 AM
PDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Laguna, CA
Late night
in Laguna on Friday
Local time
12:51 AM
PDT
Current temp
45°F
Clear
NNW 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 9:49PM PDT until April 17 at 2:00AM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 9:49PM PDT until April 17 at 5:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego 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
13 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 8m 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 Tamalpais Valley, CA to Laguna, CA covers 100.3 miles and takes about 2h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, South Sacramento Freeway, Capital City Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 50.2 miles from Tamalpais Valley, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.05 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 30 significant decision points across 100.3 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 6.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Tamalpais Valley, CA and Laguna, CA, road signs point toward San Anselmo, Point Richmond, Sacramento, Lake Tahoe and Fresno.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Muir Woods National Monument, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and Golden Gate National Recreation Area. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
EV charging comes from the
NREL Alternative Fuels
dataset.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
