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Trip from Forest Ranch, 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

2h 4m

Distance

103 mi

166 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
1h 56m ★
6 AM
2h 5m
8 AM
2h 23m
10 AM
2h 11m
12 PM
2h 9m
3 PM
2h 12m
5 PM
2h 22m
8 PM
2h 0m

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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Downtown Forest Ranch, CA, CA

Forest Ranch, CA

Tomás Asurmendi

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

Sacramento, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 103-mile drive from Forest Ranch, CA to Sacramento, CA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 4 minutes. The majority of your journey, about 68%, will be on highways, making it a fairly straightforward drive. With an estimated fuel cost of $24, this route offers an economical option for travelers within the Pacific Coast region. The route is primarily highway-focused, so expect a relatively efficient pace for most of the 103 miles. This trip is well-suited for a spontaneous day excursion or a quick transition between these two California locations.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

51.5 miles from Forest Ranch, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 1m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
CA 70 49.2 mi 58m
Deer Creek Highway 14.2 mi 17m
CA 99 9.9 mi 11m
Golden State Highway 7.7 mi 8m
Westside Freeway 5.5 mi 6m
CA 149 5.5 mi 6m
Bernie Richter Memorial Highway 4.9 mi 5m
E Street 4.2 mi 5m
Longest stretch: CA 70 — 49.2 mi, about 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Forest Ranch Road

0.2 mi · 47 sec · Forest Ranch Road
2

At end of road, turn right onto CA 32

14 mi · 17 min · Deer Creek Highway
3

Continue on CA 32

0.2 mi · 26 sec · East 8th Street
4

Turn left

361 ft · 10 sec
Use the left lane.
5

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 12 sec
Use the straight lane.
6

Merge onto CA 99

9.9 mi · 11 min · CA 99
Use the straight lane.
7

Keep slight left at fork onto CA 149

5.5 mi · 6 min · CA 149
Toward Oroville, Marysville Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8

Merge onto CA 70

19 mi · 22 min · CA 70
Use the straight lane.
9

Continue on CA 70

11 mi · 12 min · CA 70
10

Continue on CA 70

1.5 mi · 3 min · CA 70
Use the straight lane.
11

Turn right onto 5th Street

0.2 mi · 31 sec · 5th Street
12

Turn left onto CA 70

4.2 mi · 5 min · E Street
13

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 70

18 mi · 20 min · CA 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Merge onto CA 99

4.9 mi · 5 min · Bernie Richter Memorial Highway
15

Continue on CA 99

7.7 mi · 8 min · Golden State Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Merge onto I 5

5.5 mi · 6 min · Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Exit 519B Toward Downtown, J Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Continue on J Street

0.2 mi · 25 sec · J Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
19

Turn left onto 5th Street

0.2 mi · 19 sec · 5th Street
Use the straight lane.
20

Turn right onto H Street

0.3 mi · 40 sec · H Street
21

Turn right onto 9th Street

490 ft · 15 sec · 9th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
22

Arrive at destination

9th Street

Trip Plan

Given the short 2-hour duration, this route offers flexibility for when you depart; leaving in the morning will get you to Sacramento with plenty of daylight. You won't need to plan for overnight stops, but be aware of the longest stretch of 49.2 miles on CA 70, which is a good point to consider a brief rest if needed. The fuel cost is estimated at $24, so factor that into your budget. A practical tip for this drive: keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the 49.2-mile mark on CA 70, as services might be less frequent in that particular segment.

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 51.5 miles from Forest Ranch, CA, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.2 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 23 miles or 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 51.5 miles or 1h 1m 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 42m

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 Forest Ranch, 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 Forest Ranch, CA

This is one driving day of about 103 miles and 2h 4m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Forest Ranch, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on CA 70 for about 49.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Marysville, CA, CA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Marysville, CA

52 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Paradise, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Gridley, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 51.5 miles from Forest Ranch, 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

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

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

Electrify America Charging Station

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Chico, 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

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Sacramento, California

+18887800062

Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Sacramento, California

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+19164443071

Visit website

California State Capitol Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Sacramento, California

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+19163240333

Visit website

Crocker Art Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately

Sacramento, California

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+19168087000

Visit website

California Museum

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Sacramento, California

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19166537524

Visit website

Sacramento History Museum

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Sacramento, California

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19168087059

Visit website

Upper Bidwell Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Chico, California

Hours: 7:30 am–9 pm

+15308967800

Visit website

Chico Children's Museum

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Chico, California

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+15308091492

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 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 14.5 and 102.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
14.5 mi into trip | ~18m in

Turn left

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
8
24.7 mi into trip | ~30m in | CA 149

Keep slight left at fork onto CA 149 toward Oroville, Marysville

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

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward Oroville, Marysville
8
101.9 mi into trip | ~2h 2m in

Take the exit toward Downtown, J Street

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 Downtown, J Street
7
102.4 mi into trip | ~2h 3m in | 5th Street

Turn left onto 5th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
7
102.9 mi into trip | ~2h 4m in | 9th Street

Turn right onto 9th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.67 one way

$47.35 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 36 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $24.40 $48.79
premium $6.18 $25.05 $50.10
diesel $5.61 $22.74 $45.48

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$24

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 36 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 30.9 0 $10.82 $4.94
Efficient EV 25.8 0 $9.01 $4.12
EV Truck/SUV 41.2 0 $14.42 $6.59

Gas CO2

36 kg

EV CO2

12 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 16, 2026

Origin

Forest Ranch, CA

Late night in Forest Ranch on Tuesday

Local time

2:08 AM

PDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Sacramento, CA

Late night in Sacramento on Tuesday

Local time

2:08 AM

PDT

Current temp

68°F

Sunny

NNW 13 to 18 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Freeze Warning

Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 10:43AM PDT until April 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Medford OR

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 10:32AM PDT until April 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Hanford CA

51°F

Marysville, CA

52 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

4 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 4m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Your drive will largely follow major highways, with CA 70 and CA 99 forming the backbone of this 103-mile journey. The highway share of 68% means you'll experience consistent travel speeds for significant portions of the trip. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 49.2 miles on CA 70, allowing for a good pace before potentially needing to navigate other roads. While predominantly highway, the inclusion of Deer Creek Highway suggests some variation in the road's character as you progress toward Sacramento. Expect a predominantly efficient and direct driving experience.

68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 49.2 mi on CA 70.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CA 70 and Deer Creek Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.5 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 14 significant decision points across 103 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 14.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 24.7 miles (CA 149): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 101.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.

Between Forest Ranch, CA and Sacramento, CA, road signs point toward Oroville and Marysville.

Oroville

24.7 mi in | ~30m | via CA 149

Marysville

24.7 mi in | ~30m | via CA 149

About the Cities

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 2h 4m. Total distance: 103 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (68%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 49.2 miles on CA 70. 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 14.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 24.7 miles (CA 149): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 101.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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