Cloverdale to Sacramento is 119.8 miles and takes about 2h 21m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, Saint Helena Highway, and Saint Helena Highway South, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. You'll be traveling within California, moving from the Pacific Coast region towards Sacramento. This route is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, suggesting you'll navigate through more communities and potentially slower speeds than a direct interstate. With a recommended one-day trip, this journey offers a straightforward connection between these two points in Northern California. Plan for a drive that involves frequent changes in direction and road conditions.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.9 miles from Cloverdale, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
38.2 mi
44m
Saint Helena Highway
29.5 mi
33m
Saint Helena Highway South
21.7 mi
25m
Redwood Highway
7.8 mi
8m
Jameson Canyon Road
6.2 mi
7m
Yolo Causeway
3.7 mi
4m
Capital City Freeway
3.3 mi
3m
Main Street
2.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 38.2 mi, about 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cloverdale, CA and Sacramento, CA.
1
Start on North Cloverdale Boulevard
0.2 mi·32 sec·North Cloverdale Boulevard
2
Turn left onto Citrus Fair Drive
0.2 mi·17 sec·Citrus Fair Drive
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward Citrus Fair Drive
4
Merge onto US 101; CA 128
7.8 mi·8 min·Redwood Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit onto CA 128
0.2 mi·38 sec·CA 128
Exit 512Toward CA 128 East: Canyon RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Turn left onto CA 128
0.1 mi·13 sec·Canyon Road
7
Turn right onto CA 128
0.9 mi·1 min·Geyserville Avenue
8
Turn left onto CA 128
6.6 mi·7 min·Saint Helena Highway
9
At end of road, turn left onto CA 128
16 mi·18 min·Saint Helena Highway
10
Continue on CA 128
1.4 mi·1 min·Foothill Boulevard
11
Continue on CA 29; CA 128
6.8 mi·7 min·Saint Helena Highway
12
Continue on CA 29; CA 128
2.4 mi·2 min·Main Street
13
Continue on CA 29; CA 128
22 mi·25 min·Saint Helena Highway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on CA 12; CA 29
1.3 mi·1 min·Napa–Vallejo Highway
15
Turn left onto CA 12
6.2 mi·7 min·Jameson Canyon Road
Use the left / uturn lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 12
0.3 mi·38 sec·CA 12
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 80; CA 12
2.5 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
27 mi·31 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
8.4 mi·9 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 80
3.7 mi·4 min·Yolo Causeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50; I 80 Business
3.3 mi·3 min·Capital City Freeway
Exit 82Toward Sacramento, South Lake TahoeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·13 sec
Exit 4AToward I 5 North, I 5 South: Redding, Los AngelesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 4AToward I 5 North: ReddingUse the slight left lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·14 sec
Exit 4AToward I 5 North: Redding
25
Merge onto I 5
0.6 mi·44 sec·Westside Freeway
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 519BToward J Street, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Turn right onto J Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·J Street
28
Turn left onto 5th Street
0.2 mi·19 sec·5th Street
Use the straight lane.
29
Turn right onto H Street
0.3 mi·40 sec·H Street
30
Turn right onto 9th Street
490 ft·15 sec·9th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
31
Arrive at destination
9th Street
Trip Plan
Given this is a single-day drive of just over two hours, you have plenty of flexibility. Aim to depart Cloverdale in the morning to maximize daylight and enjoy a more relaxed pace. While there are no specific stops noted, consider that the turn-heavy nature of the route might extend your travel time slightly, especially if you encounter local traffic. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $28. A specific tip for this route: be prepared for frequent speed limit changes as you pass through different towns and rural sections.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 59.9 miles from Cloverdale, CA, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.2 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 26 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.9 miles or 1h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 55m
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 Cloverdale, 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 Cloverdale, CA
This is one driving day of about 119.8 miles and 2h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Cloverdale, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 38.2 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.4 and 118.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
8.4 mi into trip|~10m in|CA 128
Take the exit onto CA 128 toward CA 128 East: Canyon Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 512
Toward CA 128 East: Canyon Road
9
114.3 mi into trip|~2h 13m in|US 50; I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50; I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway toward Sacramento, South Lake Tahoe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 82
Toward Sacramento, South Lake Tahoe
8
117.6 mi into trip|~2h 17m in
Take the exit toward I 5 North, I 5 South: Redding, Los Angeles
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 4A
Toward I 5 North, I 5 South: Redding, Los Angel...
9
117.8 mi into trip|~2h 17m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 North: Redding
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 4A
Toward I 5 North: Redding
8
118.8 mi into trip|~2h 19m in
Take the exit toward J Street, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 519B
Toward J Street, Downtown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.54 one way
$55.07 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$28.37
$56.75
premium
$6.18
$29.13
$58.27
diesel
$5.61
$26.45
$52.90
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.9
0
$12.58
$5.75
Efficient EV
30
0
$10.48
$4.79
EV Truck/SUV
47.9
0
$16.77
$7.67
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Cloverdale, CA
Late night
in Cloverdale on Sunday
Local time
12:57 AM
PDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Destination
Sacramento, CA
Late night
in Sacramento on Sunday
Local time
12:57 AM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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.
Road read
2h 21m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
National Memorial
On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two s...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 80.4
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of American civilians on the WWII home front. Discover how diverse communities lived, worked, and interacted. Many faces, many stories, many truths...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 71.5
Walk among old growth coast redwoods, cooling their roots in the fresh water of Redwood Creek and lifting their crowns to reach the sun and fog. Federally protected as a National Monument since 1908,...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
$15
near mile 71.5
Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park celebrates America’s maritime heritage on the Pacific Coast. Our 50-acre park has grown around Aquatic Park Cove, a protected area...
30 mi from route
~75 min detour
Free
near mile 71.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is described as a turn-heavy local experience, rather than a straightforward highway cruise. With only a 4% highway share, you should anticipate a more engaging journey with numerous turns. The longest continuous stretch you’ll encounter is 38.2 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Expect the road to feel more intimate, winding through various terrains and potentially more populated areas. This character means you’ll be actively steering and adjusting speed more frequently, so stay alert.
Only 4% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 38.2 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.4 miles in near CA 128.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 119.8 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 8.4 miles (CA 128): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 114.3 miles (US 50; I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 117.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 2h 21m. Total distance: 119.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 38.2 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.4 miles (CA 128): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 114.3 miles (US 50; I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 117.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and Muir Woods National Monument (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Sacramento, CA before heading back.
