How far is Irvine, CA from Laguna Beach, CA?

The driving distance from Irvine, CA to Laguna Beach, CA is about 12.2 miles (19.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 17m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 9.1 miles (14.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 35m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
12.19 mi
00h 17m
Flight
9.08 mi
14.62 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Irvine.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
9.08 mi
Kilometers
14.62 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
12.19 mi
Kilometers
19.62 km
Drive Time
00h 17m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 00h 17m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Laguna Beach
Thu, Apr 23, 2:26 AM PDT
Return by in Irvine
Thu, Apr 23, 2:43 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Irvine
2026-04-23T02:08
Arrive Laguna Beach
Thu, Apr 23, 2:26 AM PDT
Route Timing
00h 17m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:18 AM to 7:18 PM PDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:54 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Irvine
10:00 PM PDT
Flexible departure

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Laguna Woods
CA

City in Orange County, California

From Irvine
6.1 mi
00h 08m
To Laguna Beach
6.1 mi
00h 08m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
73°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph S
Destination
Laguna Beach Weather
CA
Live fallback forecast
67°F
Thursday
Using Aliso Viejo as the closest live forecast in the Orange County weather hub.

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Irvine and Laguna Beach.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Irvine and Laguna Beach.

  1. 1

    Start on San Diego Freeway

    1.5 mi · 2 min · San Diego Freeway

  2. 2

    Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway

    1.1 mi · 1 min · San Diego Freeway

  3. 3

    Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway

    1.1 km · 48 sec · San Diego Freeway

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 133 South, CA 133 North: Laguna Beach

    898 ft · 17 sec

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on CA 133 South: Laguna Beach

    2498 ft · 48 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Laguna Freeway

    1637 ft · 25 sec · Laguna Freeway

  7. 7

    Continue on Laguna Canyon Road

    7.5 mi · 11 min · Laguna Canyon Road

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Forest Avenue

    78 m · 8 sec · Forest Avenue

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Ocean Avenue

    1538 ft · 55 sec · Ocean Avenue

  10. 10

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Pacific Coast Highway

    86 m · 10 sec · Pacific Coast Highway

  11. 11

    Turn straight onto Park Avenue

    22 m · 3 sec · Park Avenue

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Park Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Irvine and Laguna Beach.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
12 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
98.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Laguna Canyon Road
7.48 mi · 61%
San Diego Freeway
3.34 mi · 27%
CA 133 South
0.64 mi · 5%
Laguna Freeway
0.31 mi · 3%
Ocean Avenue
0.29 mi · 2%
Pacific Coast Highway
0.05 mi
Longest Stretch

Laguna Canyon Road

Continue on Laguna Canyon Road

7.48 mi · 00h 11m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 17m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+3.1 mi
9.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Laguna Woods
00h 08m from Irvine
Leave By
7:54 PM PDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Irvine and Mostly Sunny near Laguna Beach.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Irvine to Laguna Beach?

The road trip is about 12.2 miles (19.6 km) and usually takes 00h 17m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Laguna Woods is a useful midpoint, sitting about 6.1 miles from Irvine and 6.1 miles from Laguna Beach.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 9.1 miles (14.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.1 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:54 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.48 one way or $4.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 3.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Irvine and Mostly Sunny near Laguna Beach.

Stop Ideas Near Laguna Woods

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Laguna Woods and the surrounding midpoint area.
Blue Lantern Inn, A Four Sisters Inn
Coffee break 11.1 mi away

Blue Lantern Inn, A Four Sisters Inn

Dana Point , CA
34343 Street of the Blue Lantern, Dana Point, CA 92629, United States
Rating 4.7/5 233 reviews Hotel,Bed & breakfast,Lodge
Miraval Life in Balance Spa at Monarch Beach Resort
Stay option 9.7 mi away

Miraval Life in Balance Spa at Monarch Beach Resort

Dana Point , CA
1 Monarch Beach Resort N a, Dana Point, CA 92629, United States
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Spa,Day spa,Massage spa,Massage therapist,Resort hotel,Spa and health club
Newport Beach Municipal Operations
Scenic stop 9.8 mi away

Newport Beach Municipal Operations

Newport Beach , CA
592 Superior Ave, Newport Beach, CA 92663, United States
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews City government office,Government office,Park
City of Lake Forest
Practical stop 5.5 mi away

City of Lake Forest

Laguna Woods
Rating 4.8/5 12 reviews Government office,Service establishment

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Laguna Woods.

RAIL

Irvine Transportation Center

8 mi away
15215 Barranca Parkway
RAIL

San Juan Capistrano

13 mi away
26701 Verdugo Street
RAIL

Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center

20 mi away
1000 East Santa Ana Boulevard
RAIL

San Clemente Pier station

23 mi away
Avenida del Mar and Avenida Victoria

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Irvine and Laguna Beach. Straight-line distance: 9.08 mi (14.62 km).

Irvine

#1 Irvine

A city located in Orange County, California.

Population283,700
Coordinates33.6694600, -117.8231100
Altitude17
CountryUnited States
Laguna Beach

#2 Laguna Beach

City in California

Population22,687
Coordinates33.5422500, -117.7831100
Altitude6
CountryUnited States
Start: Irvine (-117.82311, 33.66946)
End: Laguna Beach (-117.78311, 33.54225)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 20 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 24m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 18m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 14m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 12m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 10m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 09m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.43 gal
1.63 L · about $2.48
Round trip
$4.96
0.86 gal · 3.26 L
Estimated CO2
3.8 kg one way
Round trip: 7.6 kg / 17 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $2.48 $4.96
Mid-grade $6.07 $2.61 $5.22
Premium $6.24 $2.68 $5.37
Diesel $7.57 $3.25 $6.51

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in California · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Irvine and Laguna Beach. The current time is 02:08:36.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.