How far is Laguna, CA from Palo Alto, CA?
The driving distance from Laguna, CA to Palo Alto, CA is about 117 miles (188.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 78.2 miles (125.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 49m 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 02h 24m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The most populous city in San Joaquin County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Laguna and Palo Alto.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Laguna and Palo Alto.
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1
Start on Fall Breeze Court
56 m · 10 sec · Fall Breeze Court
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2
Turn right onto Mapleview Way
47 m · 10 sec · Mapleview Way
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3
Turn right onto November Drive
546 ft · 29 sec · November Drive
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4
Turn right onto Seasons Drive
1150 ft · 37 sec · Seasons Drive
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5
Turn left onto Laguna Park Drive
1011 ft · 33 sec · Laguna Park Drive
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6
Turn left onto Foulks Ranch Drive
1.1 km · 2 min · Foulks Ranch Drive
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7
Turn right onto Elk Grove Boulevard
1 mi · 2 min · Elk Grove Boulevard
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8
Turn left onto Franklin Boulevard
1.1 mi · 2 min · Franklin Boulevard
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Franklin Boulevard
1.2 mi · 2 min · Franklin Boulevard
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10
Turn right onto Hood Franklin Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Hood Franklin Road
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11
Take the ramp slight right
986 ft · 24 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
45.4 mi · 50 min · Westside Freeway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Robert T. Monagan Freeway
13.9 mi · 16 min · Robert T. Monagan Freeway
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14
Continue on Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
12.9 mi · 15 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward CA 84: Isabel Avenue, Portola Avenue
1611 ft · 41 sec
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16
Turn left onto Isabel Avenue
4.7 mi · 7 min · Isabel Avenue
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17
Continue on Vallecitos Road
5.2 mi · 7 min · Vallecitos Road
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I 680 South: Fremont, San Jose
2276 ft · 56 sec
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19
Merge slight left
8.3 mi · 10 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward CA 262
866 ft · 21 sec
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21
Keep slight right to continue on CA 262: Northwestern Polytechnic University, Warm Springs District
1597 ft · 39 sec
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22
Merge slight left onto Mission Boulevard
1.5 mi · 2 min · Mission Boulevard
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23
Merge slight left onto Nimitz Freeway
3.1 mi · 4 min · Nimitz Freeway
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24
Take the exit slight right toward CA 237 West: Mountain View
1.5 km · 1 min
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25
Merge slight left
6.1 mi · 7 min
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26
Take the exit slight right toward US 101 North: San Francisco
2535 ft · 54 sec
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27
Merge slight left onto Bayshore Freeway
1.5 mi · 2 min · Bayshore Freeway
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28
Keep slight left
3.7 mi · 4 min
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29
Take the exit slight right toward Embarcadero Road, Oregon Expressway, Stanford University
1343 ft · 38 sec
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30
Keep slight left to continue on Stanford University, Embarcadero Road
994 ft · 24 sec
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31
Keep slight left to continue on US 101 North: Stanford University, Embarcadero Road West, San Francisco
877 ft · 21 sec
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32
Keep slight right to continue on Stanford University, Embarcadero Road West
832 ft · 21 sec
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33
Continue on Embarcadero Road
1.2 mi · 4 min · Embarcadero Road
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34
Turn sharp left onto Middlefield Road
30 m · 3 sec · Middlefield Road
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35
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Middlefield Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Laguna and Palo Alto.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Westside Freeway
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
45.4 mi · 00h 50m
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.
Clear leaving Laguna and Mostly Sunny near Palo Alto.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Laguna to Palo Alto?
The road trip is about 117 miles (188.3 km) and usually takes 02h 24m 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?
Tracy is a useful midpoint, sitting about 58.5 miles from Laguna and 58.5 miles from Palo Alto.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 78.2 miles (125.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.8 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 1:40 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.83 one way or $47.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 36.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Clear around Laguna and Mostly Sunny near Palo Alto.
Stop Ideas Near Tracy
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Tracy.
Tracy, California
Tracy, CA
Manteca, CA
Stockton – San Joaquin Street
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Laguna and Palo Alto. Straight-line distance: 78.19 mi (125.83 km).
#1 Laguna
A city located in Orange County, California.
| Population | 1,370,232 |
| Coordinates | 38.4210200, -121.4238400 |
| Altitude | 9 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Palo Alto
The most populous city in Santa Clara County, California.
| Population | 67,008 |
| Coordinates | 37.4418800, -122.1430200 |
| Altitude | 9 |
| Country | United States |
End: Palo Alto (-122.14302, 37.44188)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 188 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $23.83 | $47.65 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $25.05 | $50.11 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $25.78 | $51.57 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $31.25 | $62.50 |
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 · May 07, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.