How far is Riverside, CA from Laguna Beach, CA?
The driving distance from Riverside, CA to Laguna Beach, CA is about 47.3 miles (76.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 36 miles (58 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 57m 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 00h 58m.
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.
City in Orange County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Riverside and Laguna Beach.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverside and Laguna Beach.
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1
Start on the route
27 m · 8 sec
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2
Turn slight right onto Central Avenue
1 km · 1 min · Central Avenue
-
3
Take the ramp slight right toward CA 91 West: Beach Cities
1486 ft · 38 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Riverside Freeway
10.7 mi · 12 min · Riverside Freeway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward Main Street
1526 ft · 20 sec
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6
Continue straight
9.1 mi · 11 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward CA 241 South: Irvine
1.2 mi · 1 min
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8
Continue on Eastern Transportation Corridor
5.7 mi · 7 min · Eastern Transportation Corridor
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Foothill Transportation Corridor
5.3 mi · 6 min · Foothill Transportation Corridor
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10
Take the exit slight right toward CA 133 Toll
1 mi · 1 min
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11
Continue on Eastern Transportation Corridor
3.6 mi · 4 min · Eastern Transportation Corridor
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12
Continue on Laguna Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Laguna Freeway
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13
Continue on Laguna Canyon Road
7.5 mi · 11 min · Laguna Canyon Road
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14
Turn left onto Forest Avenue
78 m · 8 sec · Forest Avenue
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15
Turn right onto Ocean Avenue
1538 ft · 55 sec · Ocean Avenue
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16
At the end of the road, turn left onto Pacific Coast Highway
86 m · 10 sec · Pacific Coast Highway
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17
Turn straight onto Park Avenue
22 m · 3 sec · Park Avenue
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Park Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Riverside and Laguna Beach.
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.
Riverside Freeway
Merge slight left onto Riverside Freeway
10.7 mi · 00h 12m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Riverside 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 Riverside to Laguna Beach?
The road trip is about 47.3 miles (76.1 km) and usually takes 00h 58m 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?
Villa Park is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.6 miles from Riverside and 23.6 miles from Laguna Beach.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 36 miles (58 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.3 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 4:32 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.63 one way or $19.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Riverside and Mostly Sunny near Laguna Beach.
Stop Ideas Near Villa Park
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
City of Lake Forest
City of Tustin Parks & Recreation
bamboo house
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Villa Park.
Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center
Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center
Fullerton Transportation Center
Irvine Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Riverside and Laguna Beach. Straight-line distance: 36.07 mi (58.05 km).
#1 Riverside
The most populous city in Riverside County, California and the center of the Riverside metropolitan area.
| Population | 330,786 |
| Coordinates | 33.9533500, -117.3961600 |
| Altitude | 252 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Laguna Beach
City in California
| Population | 22,687 |
| Coordinates | 33.5422500, -117.7831100 |
| Altitude | 6 |
| Country | United States |
End: Laguna Beach (-117.78311, 33.54225)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 76 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $9.63 | $19.27 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $10.13 | $20.26 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $10.43 | $20.85 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $12.64 | $25.27 |
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.