Felton to Sacramento is 145.9 miles and takes about 2 hours 58 minutes via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and I-680, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip will take you from the Pacific Coast region of California inland towards the state's capital. Expect a mix of highway cruising and some surface road driving as you make your way. It's a manageable drive for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
73 miles from Felton, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
37.3 mi
43m
I 680
37.3 mi
42m
Santa Cruz Highway
23.1 mi
30m
Luther E Gibson Freeway
12 mi
13m
I 880
11.5 mi
13m
Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
7.9 mi
9m
Mount Hermon Road
3.8 mi
7m
Yolo Causeway
3.7 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 37.3 mi, about 43m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 30 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~6,669 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~605 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 21 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 Felton, CA and Sacramento, CA.
1
Start on CA 9
414 ft·14 sec·Highway 9
2
Turn straight
193 ft·8 sec
3
Turn slight right onto Graham Hill Road
0.1 mi·27 sec·Graham Hill Road
4
Turn left onto Mount Hermon Road
3.8 mi·7 min·Mount Hermon Road
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
188 ft·4 sec
6
Turn right
423 ft·5 sec
7
Merge onto CA 17
23 mi·30 min·Santa Cruz Highway
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on I 880
12 mi·13 min·I 880
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 880
0.6 mi·41 sec·Nimitz Freeway
10
Take the exit onto CA 262
1.6 mi·2 min·CA 262
Exit 12AToward SacramentoUse the slight right lane.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 680 North: SacramentoUse the straight lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 680 North: SacramentoUse the straight lane.
13
Merge onto I 680
37 mi·42 min·I 680
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 680
6.0 mi·6 min·Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Toward I 680 North: Martinez, SacramentoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 680
243 ft·3 sec·Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
1.8 mi·2 min·Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Use the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
0.4 mi·26 sec·Benicia-Martinez Bridge
18
Continue on I 680
12 mi·13 min·Luther E Gibson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 71AToward I 80 East, CA 12 East: Fairfield, Sacramento
20
Merge onto I 80; CA 12
1.7 mi·1 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
27 mi·31 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
8.4 mi·9 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 80
3.7 mi·4 min·Yolo Causeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
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.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·13 sec
Exit 4AToward I 5 North, I 5 South: Redding, Los AngelesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 4AToward I 5 North: ReddingUse the slight left lane.
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·14 sec
Exit 4AToward I 5 North: Redding
28
Merge onto I 5
0.6 mi·44 sec·Westside Freeway
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 519BToward J Street, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Turn right onto J Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·J Street
31
Turn left onto 5th Street
0.2 mi·19 sec·5th Street
Use the straight lane.
32
Turn right onto H Street
0.3 mi·40 sec·H Street
33
Turn right onto 9th Street
490 ft·15 sec·9th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
34
Arrive at destination
9th Street
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour 58-minute drive, leaving in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $33, and plan your refill accordingly. Watch for the transition points between the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and I-680, as this is where the driving environment will change most noticeably.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 73 miles from Felton, CA, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.3 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 32 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73 miles or 1h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 27m
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 Felton, 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 Felton, CA
This is one driving day of about 145.9 miles and 2h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Felton, 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 37.3 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 41.1 and 143.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
41.1 mi into trip|~55m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 680 North: Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 680 North: Sacramento
8
78.7 mi into trip|~1h 39m in|I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway toward I 680 North: Martinez, 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 680 North: Martinez, Sacramento
9
140.4 mi into trip|~2h 51m 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
143.7 mi into trip|~2h 54m 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
143.9 mi into trip|~2h 55m 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
$33.07 one way
$66.14 round trip
$5.76/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.96
$34.21
$68.42
premium
$6.09
$34.99
$69.99
diesel
$5.40
$31.04
$62.07
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.8
0
$15.32
$7.00
Efficient EV
36.5
0
$12.77
$5.84
EV Truck/SUV
58.4
0
$20.43
$9.34
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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 25, 2026
Origin
Felton, CA
Evening
in Felton on Saturday
Local time
6:17 PM
PDT
Current temp
44°F
Areas Of Fog
NW 1 to 5 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 24 at 6:10PM PDT until April 27 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 24 at 2:04PM PDT until April 26 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Destination
Sacramento, CA
Evening
in Sacramento on Saturday
Local time
6:17 PM
PDT
Current temp
50°F
Partly Cloudy
SSW 5 to 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 24 at 6:10PM PDT until April 27 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 24 at 2:04PM PDT until April 26 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
79°F
Fremont, CA
73 mi in
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
6 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
2h 58m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is about 46% highway, with the remainder on surface roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 37.3 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway before transitioning. Be prepared for merging traffic as you integrate with interstate routes. The shift from highway to surface roads will involve navigating different traffic patterns.
46% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 37.3 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 41.1 miles in.
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 26 significant decision points across 145.9 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 41.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 78.7 miles (I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 140.4 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.
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 58m. Total distance: 145.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (46%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 37.3 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. 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 41.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 78.7 miles (I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 140.4 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Sacramento, CA before heading back.
