How far is Santa Cruz, CA from Laguna, CA?
The driving distance from Santa Cruz, CA to Laguna, CA is about 140 miles (225.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 105.3 miles (169.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 01m 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 30m.
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.
Slight Chance Light Rain
Partly Sunny then Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Santa Cruz and Laguna.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Cruz and Laguna.
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1
Start on the route
16 m · 7 sec
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Chestnut Street
32 m · 2 sec · Chestnut Street
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3
Keep slight left to continue on Chestnut Street Extension
943 ft · 21 sec · Chestnut Street Extension
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4
Continue on Cabrillo Highway
1.6 km · 2 min · Cabrillo Highway
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5
Take the exit slight left toward CA 17 North: San Jose, Oakland
1133 ft · 24 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Santa Cruz Highway
26.5 mi · 35 min · Santa Cruz Highway
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7
Continue straight
11.5 mi · 13 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Nimitz Freeway
3139 ft · 41 sec · Nimitz Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward Sacramento
1.6 mi · 2 min
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10
Take the exit straight toward I 680 North: Sacramento
1012 ft · 25 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 680 North: Sacramento
1618 ft · 41 sec
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12
Merge slight left
8.5 mi · 10 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward CA 84 East: Livermore, Vallecitos Road
5.5 mi · 8 min
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14
Merge slight right onto Isabel Avenue
4.3 mi · 7 min · Isabel Avenue
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 580 East: Stockton
2679 ft · 1 min
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16
Merge slight left onto Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
12.9 mi · 15 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
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17
Keep slight left to continue on Robert T. Monagan Freeway
3.9 mi · 4 min · Robert T. Monagan Freeway
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Robert T. Monagan Freeway
10.7 mi · 12 min · Robert T. Monagan Freeway
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19
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
12.2 mi · 13 min · Westside Freeway
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20
Keep left to continue on Westside Freeway
34.6 mi · 38 min · Westside Freeway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward Elk Grove Boulevard
1492 ft · 40 sec
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22
Turn right onto Elk Grove Boulevard
3 mi · 5 min · Elk Grove Boulevard
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23
Turn left onto Foulks Ranch Drive
1.1 km · 2 min · Foulks Ranch Drive
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24
At the end of the road, turn right onto Laguna Park Drive
1011 ft · 30 sec · Laguna Park Drive
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25
Turn right onto Seasons Drive
1150 ft · 37 sec · Seasons Drive
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26
Turn left onto November Drive
541 ft · 30 sec · November Drive
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27
At the end of the road, turn left onto Mapleview Way
47 m · 12 sec · Mapleview Way
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28
Turn left onto Fall Breeze Court
56 m · 8 sec · Fall Breeze Court
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Fall Breeze Court
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Cruz and Laguna.
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
Keep left to continue on Westside Freeway
34.6 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.
Slight Chance Light Rain leaving Santa Cruz and Partly Sunny then Chance Light Rain near Laguna.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Santa Cruz to Laguna?
The road trip is about 140 miles (225.3 km) and usually takes 02h 30m 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 69.9 miles from Santa Cruz and 70 miles from Laguna.
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 34.7 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 1:28 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.50 one way or $57.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Light Rain around Santa Cruz and Partly Sunny then Chance Light Rain near Laguna.
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 Santa Cruz and Laguna. Straight-line distance: 105.33 mi (169.52 km).
#1 Santa Cruz
The most populous city in Santa Cruz County, California.
| Population | 64,317 |
| Coordinates | 36.9741200, -122.0308000 |
| Altitude | 11 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Laguna
A city located in Orange County, California.
| Population | 1,370,232 |
| Coordinates | 38.4210200, -121.4238400 |
| Altitude | 9 |
| Country | United States |
End: Fall Breeze Court (-121.42396, 38.421309)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 225 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 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 | $28.50 | $57.00 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $29.97 | $59.93 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $30.84 | $61.68 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $37.38 | $74.76 |
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.