Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 21m
Distance
67.4 mi
108 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
El Sobrante, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Sacramento, CA
Wikimedia Commons
This 67.4-mile drive from El Sobrante, CA, to Sacramento, CA, is a straightforward 1 hour and 21-minute journey. It's easily manageable as a single-day trip, with a modest estimated fuel cost of $15. You'll primarily navigate via the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, Yolo Causeway, and Linus F. Claeys Freeway. Given its relatively short duration and the region's connection within the Pacific Coast, this route is ideal for a quick transition between the East Bay and California's capital.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 50.2 mi | 58m |
| Yolo Causeway | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| Linus F. Claeys Freeway | 3.5 mi | 3m |
| Capital City Freeway | 3.3 mi | 3m |
| Eastshore Freeway | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Appian Way | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Carquinez Bridge | 1 mi | 1m |
| Westside Freeway | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between El Sobrante, CA and Sacramento, CA.
Start on Sobrante Avenue
Turn right onto Appian Way
Turn left onto Appian Way
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 80
Continue on I 80
Continue on I 80
Continue on I 80
Continue on I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Continue on I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50; I 80 Business
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 5
Take the exit
Turn right onto J Street
Turn left onto 5th Street
Turn right onto H Street
Turn right onto 9th Street
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
34 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 33.7 miles from El Sobrante, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 61.9 and 66.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
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
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 North: Redding
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 North: Redding
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
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
Regular Gas
$15.49 one way
$30.98 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $15.96 | $31.93 |
| premium | $6.18 | $16.39 | $32.78 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.88 | $29.76 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$15
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.2 | 0 | $7.08 | $3.24 |
| Efficient EV | 16.9 | 0 | $5.90 | $2.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27 | 0 | $9.44 | $4.31 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in El Sobrante on Sunday
Local time
12:35 PM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Mostly Sunny
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 19 at 2:47AM PDT until April 20 at 6:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Destination
Afternoon in Sacramento on Sunday
Local time
12:35 PM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Expect a drive that's characterized by turns, blending local road segments with significant highway portions. With a 14% highway share, you'll experience stretches of faster travel interspersed with more intricate local navigation. The longest uninterrupted segment covers 50.2 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, offering a period of consistent movement. As you progress, the road character shifts, incorporating the distinct experience of crossing the Yolo Causeway.
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 61.9 miles in near US 50; I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 67.4 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 61.9 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 65.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from El Sobrante, CA to Sacramento, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Lake Tahoe along the way.
Lake Tahoe
Founded 1849
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 21m. Total distance: 67.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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