Alturas to Sacramento is 302.2 miles and takes about 5h 51m via Route 395, with a fuel budget near $68 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you from the Pacific Coast region towards another part of the same region, covering a significant distance primarily on highways. Expect a mostly highway experience, making it a straightforward trip for those looking to get from point A to point B efficiently. Given the duration, it's a manageable one-day drive, but planning your departure time will be key to avoiding any late-day travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
151.1 miles from Alturas, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Route 395
144.5 mi
2h 45m
Alan S. Hart Freeway
101.9 mi
1h 57m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
21.6 mi
24m
Martin Luther King Junior Memorial Highway
15.6 mi
17m
Standish Buntingville Road
8.5 mi
12m
Capital City Freeway
4.9 mi
5m
North Sacramento Freeway
2.6 mi
2m
12th Street
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Route 395
— 144.5 mi, about 2h 45m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 103 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,529 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~248 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alturas, CA and Sacramento, CA.
1
Start on North Howard Street
74 ft·5 sec·North Howard Street
2
Turn right onto West 4th Street
277 ft·9 sec·West 4th Street
3
Turn right onto US 395
0.6 mi·1 min·North Main Street
4
Continue on US 395
89 mi·1 hr 41 min·Route 395
5
Turn left onto CR A3
8.5 mi·12 min·Standish Buntingville Road
6
At end of road, turn left onto US 395
55 mi·1 hr 3 min·Route 395
7
Continue on US 395
16 mi·17 min·Martin Luther King Junior Memorial Highway
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·10 sec
Exit 68Toward I 80: Sparks, Elko, Reno, Sacramento
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 80: Reno, Sacramento
10
Merge onto I 80
15 mi·16 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
11
Continue on I 80
102 mi·1 hr 57 min·Alan S. Hart Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
12
Continue on I 80
7.1 mi·8 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business
4.9 mi·5 min·Capital City Freeway
Exit 95Toward I 80 Business West: SacramentoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 160
2.6 mi·2 min·North Sacramento Freeway
Toward CA 160 West: Downtown SacramentoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on CA 160; US 40 Historic
0.6 mi·56 sec·North 12th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 160; US 40 Historic
0.6 mi·1 min·12th Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
17
Turn right onto I Street
0.2 mi·31 sec·I Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn left onto 9th Street
71 ft·1 sec·9th Street
19
Arrive at destination
9th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5h 51m drive, consider an early morning departure from Alturas to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic upon arrival in Sacramento. With a fuel cost estimated at $68, ensure your tank is full before leaving Alturas, as the longest stretch on Route 395 is over 144 miles. While it's a single-day trip, the 302.2 miles offer some flexibility; you could stop for a break around the halfway point if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, particularly during the long highway section where services might be less frequent.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 151.1 miles from Alturas, CA, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 144.5 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 66 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 151.1 miles or 2h 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sacramento, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Alturas, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Alturas, CA
This is one driving day of about 302.2 miles and 5h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Alturas, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Route 395 for about 144.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 169.1 and 301.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
169.1 mi into trip|~3h 17m in
Take the exit toward I 80: Sparks, Elko, Reno, Sacramento
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 68
Toward I 80: Sparks, Elko, Reno, Sacramento
6
169.3 mi into trip|~3h 17m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 80: Reno, Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 80: Reno, Sacramento
8
293.2 mi into trip|~5h 40m in|I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway toward I 80 Business West: Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 95
Toward I 80 Business West: Sacramento
7
298.1 mi into trip|~5h 46m in|CA 160 / North Sacramento Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 160 / North Sacramento Freeway toward CA 160 West: Downtown Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 160 West: Downtown Sacramento
6
301.3 mi into trip|~5h 49m in|CA 160; US 40 Historic / 12th Street
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 160; US 40 Historic / 12th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$63.22 one way
$126.45 round trip
$5.31/gal25.4 MPG avg106 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$65.66
$131.33
premium
$5.67
$67.40
$134.80
diesel
$4.80
$57.06
$114.12
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$63
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$88–$113
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
90.7
1
$31.73
$14.51
Efficient EV
75.6
0
$26.44
$12.09
EV Truck/SUV
120.9
1
$42.31
$19.34
Gas CO2
106 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Alturas, CA
Night
in Alturas on Saturday
Local time
11:59 PM
PDT
Current temp
93°F
Haze
WSW 8 to 22 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 12:53PM PDT until July 21 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 1:44AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Destination
Sacramento, CA
Night
in Sacramento on Saturday
Local time
11:59 PM
PDT
Current temp
90°F
Sunny
SW 5 to 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 12:53PM PDT until July 21 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 1:44AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 51m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is an 84% highway drive, meaning you'll spend the bulk of your time on well-maintained roads. The longest continuous stretch without a significant change in road type is 144.5 miles on Route 395. After this extensive highway portion, you'll transition to surface roads for the remainder of the trip. You can expect a good amount of open road cruising, especially on the initial highway segments, before encountering more varied driving conditions closer to your destination.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 144.5 mi on Route 395.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Route 395 and Alan S. Hart Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 169.1 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 302.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 169.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 169.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 293.2 miles (I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
6,389 ft27 ft
Total Climb
3,642 ft
Total Descent
7,986 ft
Highest Point
6,389 ft
~215.8 mi in
Elevation Range
6,361 ft
Notable High Points
5,297 ft at ~43.2 miles+447 ft prominence
5,064 ft at ~151.1 miles+365 ft prominence
6,389 ft at ~215.8 miles+681 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Alturas, CA and Sacramento, CA, road signs point toward Elko and Reno.
Sacramento is the state capital of California in the United States. It is the regional center for the Greater Sacramento metropolitan area, which dominates much of the surrounding Sacramento Valley and stretches into parts of Gold Country.
Sacramento is the oldest incorporated city in California, settled between the confluences of the Sacramento and American rivers. The city has been the site of many important historic events that have shaped California and U.S. history, most notably the California Gold Rush and location of the original terminus of the First Transcontinental Railroad. Much of this historical legacy has been preserved, especially in the historic Old Sacramento district, where buildings and railroads from that era continue to attract visitors.
However, Sacramento is not a city that is stuck in the past. As the capital of the most populous U.S.
Top landmarks
•California State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of California
•Crocker Art Museum — art museum in Sacramento, California
•Sacramento Valley Station — main railroad and light rail station in Sacramento, California
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 51m. Total distance: 302.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 144.5 miles on Route 395. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 7 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Sacramento, CA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 7 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 169.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 169.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 293.2 miles (I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Sacramento, CA before the return drive.
