How far is Laguna, CA from Santa Cruz, CA?
The driving distance from Laguna, CA to Santa Cruz, CA is about 139.2 miles (224 km), with a travel time of about 02h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 105.3 miles (169.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 44m 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 52m.
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.
A city in Alameda County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Chance Light Rain
Slight Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Laguna and Santa Cruz.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Laguna and Santa Cruz.
-
1
Start on Fall Breeze Court
56 m · 10 sec · Fall Breeze Court
-
2
Turn right onto Mapleview Way
47 m · 10 sec · Mapleview Way
-
3
Turn right onto November Drive
546 ft · 29 sec · November Drive
-
4
Turn right onto Seasons Drive
1150 ft · 37 sec · Seasons Drive
-
5
Turn left onto Laguna Park Drive
1011 ft · 33 sec · Laguna Park Drive
-
6
Turn left onto Foulks Ranch Drive
1.1 km · 2 min · Foulks Ranch Drive
-
7
Turn right onto Elk Grove Boulevard
1 mi · 2 min · Elk Grove Boulevard
-
8
Turn left onto Franklin Boulevard
1.1 mi · 2 min · Franklin Boulevard
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on Franklin Boulevard
1.2 mi · 2 min · Franklin Boulevard
-
10
Turn right onto Hood Franklin Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Hood Franklin Road
-
11
Take the ramp slight right
986 ft · 24 sec
-
12
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
45.4 mi · 50 min · Westside Freeway
-
13
Keep slight right to continue on Robert T. Monagan Freeway
13.9 mi · 16 min · Robert T. Monagan Freeway
-
14
Continue on Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
12.9 mi · 15 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward CA 84: Isabel Avenue, Portola Avenue
1611 ft · 41 sec
-
16
Turn left onto Isabel Avenue
4.7 mi · 7 min · Isabel Avenue
-
17
Continue on Vallecitos Road
5.2 mi · 7 min · Vallecitos Road
-
18
Keep slight left to continue on I 680 South: Fremont, San Jose
2276 ft · 56 sec
-
19
Merge slight left
8.3 mi · 10 min
-
20
Take the exit slight right toward CA 262
866 ft · 21 sec
-
21
Keep slight right to continue on CA 262: Northwestern Polytechnic University, Warm Springs District
1597 ft · 39 sec
-
22
Merge slight left onto Mission Boulevard
1.5 mi · 2 min · Mission Boulevard
-
23
Merge slight left onto Nimitz Freeway
12.1 mi · 14 min · Nimitz Freeway
-
24
Continue straight
26.2 mi · 35 min
-
25
Continue on Santa Cruz Highway
1391 ft · 22 sec · Santa Cruz Highway
-
26
Merge slight left onto Cabrillo Highway
121 m · 6 sec · Cabrillo Highway
-
27
Keep slight right to continue on Cabrillo Highway
1.1 mi · 2 min · Cabrillo Highway
-
28
Continue on Chestnut Street Extension
1153 ft · 28 sec · Chestnut Street Extension
-
29
Continue on Chestnut Street
37 m · 12 sec · Chestnut Street
-
30
Turn right
16 m · 4 sec
-
31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Laguna and Santa Cruz.
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.
Partly Sunny then Chance Light Rain leaving Laguna and Slight Chance Light Rain near Santa Cruz.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Laguna to Santa Cruz?
The road trip is about 139.2 miles (224 km) and usually takes 02h 52m 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?
Livermore is a useful midpoint, sitting about 69.6 miles from Laguna and 69.5 miles from Santa Cruz.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 105.3 miles (169.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.9 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 12:46 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.33 one way or $56.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Light Rain around Laguna and Slight Chance Light Rain near Santa Cruz.
Stop Ideas Near Livermore
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 Livermore.
Livermore, California
Livermore, CA
Pleasanton, CA
Dublin-Pleasanton, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Laguna and Santa Cruz. Straight-line distance: 105.33 mi (169.52 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 Santa Cruz
The most populous city in Santa Cruz County, California.
| Population | 64,317 |
| Coordinates | 36.9741200, -122.0308000 |
| Altitude | 11 |
| Country | United States |
End: Santa Cruz (-122.0308, 36.97412)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 224 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 38m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 59m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 44m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $28.33 | $56.65 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $29.78 | $59.57 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $30.65 | $61.31 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $37.15 | $74.31 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.