How far is Santa Monica, CA from Laguna Beach, CA?
The driving distance from Santa Monica, CA to Laguna Beach, CA is about 62.1 miles (100 km), with a travel time of about 01h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 52.4 miles (84.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 32m 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 01h 16m.
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.
Census-designated place in Orange County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Santa Monica and Laguna Beach.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Monica and Laguna Beach.
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1
Start on Lincoln Boulevard
2464 ft · 1 min · Lincoln Boulevard
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2
Turn left onto Olympic Boulevard
112 m · 9 sec · Olympic Boulevard
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3
Take the ramp straight toward I 10 East: Santa Monica Freeway, Los Angeles
1351 ft · 35 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Santa Monica Freeway
2.8 mi · 3 min · Santa Monica Freeway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 405 South: Long Beach
1411 ft · 34 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
3.6 mi · 4 min · San Diego Freeway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway
26.5 mi · 31 min · San Diego Freeway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway
2.3 mi · 3 min · San Diego Freeway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway
893 ft · 12 sec · San Diego Freeway
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10
Keep slight left
10.3 mi · 12 min
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on Corona Del Mar Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · Corona Del Mar Freeway
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12
Continue on San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
6.8 mi · 8 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
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13
Take the exit slight right toward CA 133: Laguna Canyon Road, El Toro Road
1097 ft · 22 sec
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14
Keep slight right to continue on CA 133: Laguna Canyon Road
1826 ft · 28 sec
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15
Turn right onto Laguna Canyon Road
3.7 mi · 6 min · Laguna Canyon Road
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16
Turn left onto Forest Avenue
78 m · 8 sec · Forest Avenue
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17
Turn right onto Ocean Avenue
1538 ft · 55 sec · Ocean Avenue
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18
At the end of the road, turn left onto Pacific Coast Highway
86 m · 10 sec · Pacific Coast Highway
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19
Turn straight onto Park Avenue
22 m · 3 sec · Park Avenue
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Park Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Monica and Laguna Beach.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
San Diego Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway
26.5 mi · 00h 31m
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.
Sunny leaving Santa Monica and Sunny near Laguna Beach.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Santa Monica to Laguna Beach?
The road trip is about 62.1 miles (100 km) and usually takes 01h 16m 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?
Rossmoor is a useful midpoint, sitting about 31 miles from Santa Monica and 31.1 miles from Laguna Beach.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 52.4 miles (84.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.7 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 3:58 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.71 one way or $27.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 19.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Santa Monica and Sunny near Laguna Beach.
Stop Ideas Near Rossmoor
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Bell Gardens Inn Los Angeles
Anaheim City Clerk
Rolling Hills Estates City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Rossmoor.
Long Beach, California
San Pedro (Catalina Terminal), California
Fullerton Transportation Center
Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Santa Monica and Laguna Beach. Straight-line distance: 52.35 mi (84.25 km).
#1 Santa Monica
A city in Los Angeles County, California.
| Population | 90,024 |
| Coordinates | 34.0194500, -118.4911900 |
| Altitude | 32 |
| 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: 100 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $13.71 | $27.42 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $14.23 | $28.47 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $14.65 | $29.30 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $18.42 | $36.85 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026