How far is Laguna Beach, CA from Santa Monica, CA?
The driving distance from Laguna Beach, CA to Santa Monica, CA is about 62.3 miles (100.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 52.4 miles (84.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 32m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 01h 16m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Census-designated place in Orange County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Laguna Beach and Santa Monica.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Laguna Beach and Santa Monica.
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1
Start on Park Avenue
97 m · 21 sec · Park Avenue
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2
Turn left onto Glenneyre Street
61 m · 8 sec · Glenneyre Street
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3
Continue on Forest Avenue
1222 ft · 26 sec · Forest Avenue
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4
Keep slight left to continue on Forest Avenue
47 m · 6 sec · Forest Avenue
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5
Continue on Laguna Canyon Road
3.9 mi · 7 min · Laguna Canyon Road
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6
Take the ramp right toward CA 73 Toll North
2435 ft · 32 sec
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7
Continue straight
627 ft · 8 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
6.8 mi · 8 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
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9
Continue on Corona Del Mar Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · Corona Del Mar Freeway
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10
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
9.6 mi · 11 min · San Diego Freeway
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11
Keep slight left
32.9 mi · 38 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward I 10: Santa Monica, Los Angeles
861 ft · 21 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 10 West: Santa Monica
1.1 km · 1 min
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14
Merge slight left onto Santa Monica Freeway
2.6 mi · 3 min · Santa Monica Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward CA 1 South: Lincoln Boulevard
1062 ft · 26 sec
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16
Turn straight onto Olympic Boulevard
146 m · 15 sec · Olympic Boulevard
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17
Turn right onto Lincoln Boulevard
2126 ft · 1 min · Lincoln Boulevard
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Lincoln Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Laguna Beach and Santa Monica.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
San Diego Freeway
Keep slight left
32.9 mi · 00h 38m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Laguna Beach and Sunny near Santa Monica.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Laguna Beach to Santa Monica?
The road trip is about 62.3 miles (100.2 km) and usually takes 01h 16m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Rossmoor is a useful midpoint, sitting about 31.1 miles from Laguna Beach and 31.2 miles from Santa Monica.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 52.4 miles (84.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:58 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.77 one way or $27.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 19.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Laguna Beach and Sunny near Santa Monica.
Stop Ideas Near Rossmoor
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Bell Gardens Inn Los Angeles
Anaheim City Clerk
Rolling Hills Estates City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Rossmoor.
Long Beach, California
San Pedro (Catalina Terminal), California
Fullerton Transportation Center
Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Laguna Beach and Santa Monica. Straight-line distance: 52.35 mi (84.25 km).
#1 Laguna Beach
City in California
| Population | 22,687 |
| Coordinates | 33.5422500, -117.7831100 |
| Altitude | 6 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Santa Monica
A city in Los Angeles County, California.
| Population | 90,024 |
| Coordinates | 34.0194500, -118.4911900 |
| Altitude | 32 |
| Country | United States |
End: Santa Monica (-118.49119, 34.01945)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 100 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $13.77 | $27.55 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $14.30 | $28.60 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $14.72 | $29.43 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $18.51 | $37.02 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026