Trip from Emeryville, CA to Sacramento, CA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 34m

Distance

79 mi

127 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 21 min

4 AM

1h 28m ★

6 AM

1h 35m

8 AM

1h 49m

10 AM

1h 40m

12 PM

1h 38m

3 PM

1h 41m

5 PM

1h 49m

8 PM

1h 31m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city in Alameda County, California, United States

Emeryville, CA

Wikimedia Commons

capital city of the U.S. state of California and seat of Sacramento County

Sacramento, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 79.1-mile drive from Emeryville, California, to Sacramento, California, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 21 minutes. Designed as a single-day excursion, it requires no overnight stops. With an estimated fuel cost of $18, this route is budget-friendly for a quick journey. You'll primarily be navigating via Hollis Street, Powell Street, and then I-80 East. Both your origin and destination are within the Pacific Coast region, so you won't be crossing major geographical boundaries. The overall feel is that of a practical, local commute rather than a grand scenic adventure.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

39.5 miles from Emeryville, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 47m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway	50.2 mi	58m
Eastshore Freeway	14 mi	16m
Yolo Causeway	3.7 mi	4m
Linus F. Claeys Freeway	3.5 mi	3m
Capital City Freeway	3.3 mi	3m
Carquinez Bridge	1 mi	1m
Westside Freeway	0.6 mi	<1m
Hollis Street	0.6 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway — 50.2 mi, about 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Emeryville, CA and Sacramento, CA.

Start on Park Avenue

173 ft · 11 sec · Park Avenue

Turn right onto Hollis Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Hollis Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto Powell Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Powell Street

Use the left / straight / right lanes.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 19 sec

Toward I 80 East, I 580 West: Richmond, Sacramento Use the right lane.

Merge onto I 80; I 580

3.1 mi · 3 min · Eastshore Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

7.4 mi · 8 min · Eastshore Freeway

Toward I 80 East: Vallejo, Sacramento Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 80

3.2 mi · 3 min · Eastshore Freeway

Exit 21 Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Continue on I 80

3.5 mi · 3 min · Linus F. Claeys Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 80

0.3 mi · 26 sec · Eastshore Freeway

Continue on I 80

1.0 mi · 1 min · Carquinez Bridge

Continue on I 80

14 mi · 16 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

27 mi · 31 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

8.4 mi · 9 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 80

3.7 mi · 4 min · Yolo Causeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 50; I 80 Business

3.3 mi · 3 min · Capital City Freeway

Exit 82 Toward Sacramento, South Lake Tahoe Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 13 sec

Exit 4A Toward I 5 North, I 5 South: Redding, Los Angeles Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 29 sec

Exit 4A Toward I 5 North: Redding Use the slight left lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 14 sec

Exit 4A Toward I 5 North: Redding

Merge onto I 5

0.6 mi · 44 sec · Westside Freeway

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 34 sec

Exit 519B Toward J Street, Downtown Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto J Street

0.2 mi · 25 sec · J Street

Turn left onto 5th Street

0.2 mi · 19 sec · 5th Street

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto H Street

0.3 mi · 40 sec · H Street

Turn right onto 9th Street

490 ft · 15 sec · 9th Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Arrive at destination

9th Street

Trip Plan

Given the short duration of roughly 1 hour and 21 minutes for this 79.1-mile trip, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. You can easily tackle this drive in one go without needing to break it up. The estimated fuel cost is around $18, so keep your tank topped up, though significant refueling stops are unlikely to be necessary. Watch for the numerous turns that define this route, especially as you transition from local streets onto I-80 East. A specific tip for this drive: pay close attention to signage for Hollis Street and Powell Street to ensure you're on the most direct path before merging onto the interstate.

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 39.5 miles from Emeryville, CA, or about 47m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.2 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 17 miles or 21m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 39.5 miles or 47m 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 19m

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 Emeryville, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Emeryville, CA

This is one driving day of about 79 miles and 1h 34m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Emeryville, 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 50.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Solano County, California, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Vallejo, CA

40 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.

Popular next leg

Vallejo, CA to Sacramento, CA

58.3 mi · 1h 10m

Pacing Suggestions

Hercules, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Fairfield, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 39.5 miles from Emeryville, 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.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Old Sacramento Waterfront

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Sacramento, California

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19169705226

Visit website

Butcher & Barrel

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Sacramento, California

0.2 mi

Best coffee break · home stretch

Anchor & Tree Coffee Roasting Co

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Sacramento, California

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+19163059267

Visit website

Roaming Bean Coffee

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Berkeley, California

2.7 mi

Old Sacramento Waterfront

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Sacramento, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19169705226

Visit website

Butcher & Barrel

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route $100 or ab

Sacramento, California

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+19164763408

Visit website

Allora

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $100 or ab

Sacramento, California

Hours: 5–8:30 pm

+19165386434

Visit website

Anchor & Tree Coffee Roasting Co

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Sacramento, California

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+19163059267

Visit website

Roaming Bean Coffee

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Berkeley, California

Hours: 8:30 am–1 pm

+19252572672

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Sacramento, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887800062

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Sacramento, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Sacramento, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Sacramento, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

West Sacramento, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Sacramento, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Fairfield, California

+17074287428

Visit website

Children's Wonderland Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Vallejo, California

+17076484600

Visit website

Scavenger Hunt Walking Tours - Old Sacramento

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Sacramento, California

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+19165872923

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 77 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

1 mi into trip | ~2m in

Take the ramp toward I 80 East, I 580 West: Richmond, Sacramento

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Toward I 80 East, I 580 West: Richmond, Sacrame...

4.3 mi into trip | ~6m in | I 80 / Eastshore Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 / Eastshore Freeway toward I 80 East: Vallejo, Sacramento

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 80 East: Vallejo, Sacramento

73.5 mi into trip | ~1h 27m 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

76.8 mi into trip | ~1h 30m 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...

77 mi into trip | ~1h 31m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.16 one way

$36.32 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 28 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$6.02	$18.71	$37.42
premium	$6.18	$19.21	$38.42
diesel	$5.61	$17.44	$34.88

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 27.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	23.7	$8.30	$3.79
Efficient EV	19.8	$6.91	$3.16
EV Truck/SUV	31.6	$11.06	$5.06

Gas CO2

28 kg

EV CO2

9 kg (68% 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 17, 2026

Origin

Emeryville, CA

Late night in Emeryville on Tuesday

Local time

5:17 AM

PDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Sacramento, CA

Late night in Sacramento on Tuesday

Local time

5:17 AM

PDT

Current temp

73°F

Sunny

NNW 3 to 10 mph 0% chance 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.

Temperature spread

25 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 34m on the road

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.

National Parks Near This Route

Longest single stretch: 50.2 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 1 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 79 miles you will encounter 18 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 1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.3 miles (I 80 / Eastshore Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73.5 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.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Emeryville, CA to Sacramento, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Lake Tahoe along the way.

Lake Tahoe

73.5 mi in | ~1h 27m | via US 50; I 80 Business

About the Cities

Starting in Emeryville, CA

Full guide →

Founded 1896

Arriving in Sacramento, CA

Full guide →

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

• 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

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 34m. Total distance: 79 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 50.2 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.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

Yes — Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park and Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial (5 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.

How this page is built

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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Explore more options from Emeryville, CA or browse trips ending in Sacramento, CA.

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Trip from Emeryville, CA to Sacramento, CA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Old Sacramento Waterfront

Anchor & Tree Coffee Roasting Co

Old Sacramento Waterfront

Butcher & Barrel

Allora

Anchor & Tree Coffee Roasting Co

Roaming Bean Coffee

EV Connect Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

EVgo Charging Station

Electrify America Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Electrify America Charging Station

EV Connect Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament

California State Capitol Museum

Crocker Art Museum

California Museum

Sacramento History Museum

Dunnell Nature Park and Education Center (Dunnell Park)

Children's Wonderland Park

Scavenger Hunt Walking Tours - Old Sacramento

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Emeryville, CA

Sacramento, CA

Same local time

25 degrees warmer at arrival

1h 34m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial

Muir Woods National Monument

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Emeryville, CA

Arriving in Sacramento, CA

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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