How far is Laguna, CA from South Lake Tahoe, CA?

The driving distance from Laguna, CA to South Lake Tahoe, CA is about 107.9 miles (173.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 27m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 85.3 miles (137.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 54m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
107.86 mi
02h 27m
Flight
85.33 mi
137.32 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Laguna.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
85.33 mi
Kilometers
137.32 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
107.86 mi
Kilometers
173.58 km
Drive Time
02h 27m

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 27m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in South Lake Tahoe
Fri, Apr 17, 1:06 AM PDT
Return by in Laguna
Fri, Apr 17, 3:33 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Laguna
2026-04-16T22:38
Arrive South Lake Tahoe
Fri, Apr 17, 1:06 AM PDT
Route Timing
02h 27m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:27 AM to 12:27 PM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:36 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Laguna
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

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
Placerville
CA

City in California

From Laguna
53.9 mi
01h 13m
To South Lake Tahoe
54 mi
01h 13m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
45°F
Overnight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 12:00 AM PDT
Wind
8 mph W
Destination
44°F
Thursday

Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Laguna and South Lake Tahoe.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Laguna and South Lake Tahoe.

  1. 1

    Start on Fall Breeze Court

    56 m · 10 sec · Fall Breeze Court

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Mapleview Way

    47 m · 10 sec · Mapleview Way

  3. 3

    Turn right onto November Drive

    546 ft · 26 sec · November Drive

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Seasons Drive

    1694 ft · 48 sec · Seasons Drive

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Bruceville Road

    2.6 mi · 5 min · Bruceville Road

  6. 6

    Turn right

    104 m · 15 sec

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Cosumnes River Boulevard

    1295 ft · 26 sec · Cosumnes River Boulevard

  8. 8

    Continue on Calvine Road

    2151 ft · 45 sec · Calvine Road

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Power Inn Road

    6.5 mi · 11 min · Power Inn Road

  10. 10

    Continue on Howe Avenue

    536 ft · 9 sec · Howe Avenue

  11. 11

    Take the ramp slight right toward US 50 East: South Lake Tahoe

    2910 ft · 1 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto El Dorado Freeway

    55.8 mi · 1 hr 7 min · El Dorado Freeway

  13. 13

    Continue straight

    32.7 mi · 45 min

  14. 14

    Continue straight

    1795 ft · 34 sec

  15. 15

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    37 m · 5 sec

  16. 16

    Exit the roundabout

    1.4 km · 2 min

  17. 17

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    21 m · 1 sec

  18. 18

    Exit the roundabout

    3.9 mi · 6 min

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right

    2.4 mi · 5 min

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Los Angeles Avenue

    1185 ft · 38 sec · Los Angeles Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Oakland Avenue

    1994 ft · 56 sec · Oakland Avenue

  22. 22

    Turn right onto El Dorado Avenue

    688 ft · 19 sec · El Dorado Avenue

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · El Dorado Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Laguna and South Lake Tahoe.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
23 steps
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
1 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
21.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
El Dorado Freeway
96.1 mi · 89%
Power Inn Road
6.52 mi · 6%
Bruceville Road
2.63 mi · 2%
US 50 East
0.55 mi · 1%
Calvine Road
0.41 mi
Oakland Avenue
0.38 mi
Longest Stretch

El Dorado Freeway

Merge slight left onto El Dorado Freeway

55.8 mi · 01h 07m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 27m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+22.6 mi
85.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Placerville
01h 13m from Laguna
Leave By
1:36 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Clear leaving Laguna and Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny near South Lake Tahoe.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Laguna to South Lake Tahoe?

The road trip is about 107.9 miles (173.6 km) and usually takes 02h 27m 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?

Placerville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 53.9 miles from Laguna and 54 miles from South Lake Tahoe.

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

The direct path is about 85.3 miles (137.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.6 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 1:36 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.98 one way or $43.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 33.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Laguna and Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny near South Lake Tahoe.

Stop Ideas Near Placerville

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Placerville, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Placerville.

BUS

Placerville, California

Mosquito Rd. and Clay St.
RAIL

Auburn

31 mi away
277 Nevada St. at Fulweiler St.
RAIL

Rocklin

39 mi away
Rocklin Rd. and Railroad Ave.
RAIL

Roseville station

42 mi away
201 Pacific Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Laguna and South Lake Tahoe. Straight-line distance: 85.33 mi (137.32 km).

Laguna

#1 Laguna

A city located in Orange County, California.

Population1,370,232
Coordinates38.4210200, -121.4238400
Altitude9
CountryUnited States
South Lake Tahoe

#2 South Lake Tahoe

City in California

Population22,847
Coordinates38.9332400, -119.9843500
Altitude1901
CountryUnited States
Start: Laguna (-121.42384, 38.42102)
End: South Lake Tahoe (-119.98435, 38.93324)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 174 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 35m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 41m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 09m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 47m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 32m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 20m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.81 gal
14.41 L · about $21.98
Round trip
$43.96
7.62 gal · 28.82 L
Estimated CO2
33.9 kg one way
Round trip: 67.7 kg / 149 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $21.98 $43.96
Mid-grade $6.07 $23.11 $46.22
Premium $6.24 $23.79 $47.57
Diesel $7.57 $28.83 $57.66

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Laguna and South Lake Tahoe. The current time is 22:38:57.

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.