Origin
Guerneville, CA
Late night in Guerneville on Sunday
Local time
3:03 AM
PDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Trip from Guerneville, CA to Sacramento, CA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 24m
Distance
109.3 mi
176 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 14m
★
6 AM
2h 24m
8 AM
2h 44m
10 AM
2h 31m
12 PM
2h 29m
3 PM
2h 32m
5 PM
2h 43m
8 PM
2h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Guerneville, CA
Efrem Efre
Sacramento, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Guerneville to Sacramento is 109.3 miles and takes about 2h 24m via Redwood Highway, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive connects two points within California's Pacific Coast region, offering a relatively straightforward journey. With a highway share of only 4%, expect this to be more of a local road experience than a high-speed interstate cruise. It's a manageable trip, well-suited for a single day of travel, allowing you to reach your destination without feeling overly rushed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
54.7 miles from Guerneville, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 38.2 mi | 44m |
| Redwood Highway | 8.4 mi | 9m |
| Gravenstein Highway | 7.6 mi | 11m |
| Pocket Canyon Highway | 7.1 mi | 10m |
| Jameson Canyon Road | 6.2 mi | 7m |
| Gravenstein Highway North | 5.7 mi | 8m |
| Fremont Drive | 5 mi | 7m |
| Carneros Highway | 4.4 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 38.2 mi, about 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Guerneville, CA and Sacramento, CA.
1
Start on Community Park
229 ft
·
18 sec
·
Community Park
2
Turn right onto CA 116
428 ft
·
11 sec
·
Main Street
3
Turn right onto CA 116
7.1 mi
·
10 min
·
Pocket Canyon Highway
4
Continue on CA 116
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
Front Street
5
Continue on CA 116
5.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Gravenstein Highway North
6
Continue on CA 116
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
Healdsburg Avenue
7
Continue on CA 116
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on CA 116
7.6 mi
·
11 min
·
Gravenstein Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Take the ramp onto CA 116
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
CA 116
Toward US 101 South: San Francisco
Use the right lane.
10
Merge onto US 101; CA 116
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Redwood Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit onto CA 116
0.3 mi
·
55 sec
·
CA 116
Exit 472B
Toward CA 116 East: Sonoma, Napa
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn left onto Lakeville Highway
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Lakeville Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
13
Turn left onto Frates Road
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Frates Road
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on Adobe Road
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Adobe Road
15
Continue on CA 116
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Stage Gulch Road
16
Continue on CA 116
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Arnold Drive
17
Enter roundabout onto CA 121
225 ft
·
3 sec
·
Fremont Drive
18
Continue on CA 121
4.9 mi
·
7 min
·
Fremont Drive
19
Continue on CA 12; CA 121
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Carneros Highway
20
Turn right onto CA 29
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Saint Helena Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on CA 12; CA 29
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Napa–Vallejo Highway
22
Turn left onto CA 12
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Jameson Canyon Road
Use the left / uturn lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 12
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
CA 12
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto I 80; CA 12
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the slight right lane.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
27 mi
·
31 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on I 80
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Yolo Causeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
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.
29
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.
30
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 4A
Toward I 5 North: Redding
Use the slight left lane.
31
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 4A
Toward I 5 North: Redding
32
Merge onto I 5
0.6 mi
·
44 sec
·
Westside Freeway
33
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 519B
Toward J Street, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Turn right onto J Street
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
J Street
35
Turn left onto 5th Street
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
5th Street
Use the straight lane.
36
Turn right onto H Street
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
H Street
37
Turn right onto 9th Street
490 ft
·
15 sec
·
9th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
38
Arrive at destination
9th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 24m duration and 109.3-mile distance, this trip is easily achievable in a single day. Consider departing in the morning to allow for a relaxed pace and potential for unexpected stops. The fuel cost is estimated at $25, so ensure your tank is adequately full before leaving Guerneville. Since it's not an excessively long drive, you have the flexibility to take your time; however, be mindful of the "Turn-heavy local drive" profile and adjust your speed accordingly, especially on the Redwood Highway and Gravenstein Highway segments.
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 54.7 miles from Guerneville, CA, or about 1h 19m 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 24 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.7 miles or 1h 19m 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
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 Guerneville, 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 Guerneville, CA
This is one driving day of about 109.3 miles and 2h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Guerneville, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
55 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 54.7 miles from Guerneville, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 245 decision points cluster between mile 30.9 and 108.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
30.9 mi into trip
|
~44m in
|
CA 116
Take the exit onto CA 116 toward CA 116 East: Sonoma, Napa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 472B
Toward CA 116 East: Sonoma, Napa
9
103.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 16m 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
107.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 20m 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
107.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 20m 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
108.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 22m 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
$25.12 one way
$50.24 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
38 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $25.89 | $51.78 |
| premium | $6.18 | $26.58 | $53.16 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.13 | $48.26 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.8 | 0 | $11.48 | $5.25 |
| Efficient EV | 27.3 | 0 | $9.56 | $4.37 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 43.7 | 0 | $15.30 | $7.00 |
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Sacramento, CA
Late night in Sacramento on Sunday
Local time
3:03 AM
PDT
Current temp
45°F
Clear
NNW 15 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 17 at 1:48AM PDT until April 17 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 17 at 12:31AM PDT until April 17 at 5:00PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
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 24m 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
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 64.1
View on nps.gov
Point Reyes National Seashore
National Seashore
From its thunderous ocean breakers crashing against rocky headlands and expansive sand beaches to its open grasslands, brushy hillsides, and forested ridges, Point Reyes offers visitors over 1500 spec...
19 mi from route
~47 min detour
Free
near mile 26.4
View on nps.gov
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 56.5
View on nps.gov
Muir Woods National Monument
National Monument
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,...
24 mi from route
~59 min detour
$15
near mile 37.7
View on nps.gov
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Experience a park so rich it supports 19 distinct ecosystems with over 2,000 plant and animal species. Go for a hike, enjoy a vista, have a picnic or learn about the centuries of overlapping history f...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 37.7
View on nps.gov
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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 37.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a "Turn-heavy local drive," with a highway share of just 4%. You'll spend most of your time navigating local roads rather than high-speed highways. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 38.2 miles along the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, indicating a good amount of varied terrain and potential turns. Expect a more engaging driving experience, perhaps with more frequent changes in speed and direction, as you move away from major freeways.
Only 4% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
38 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 30.9 miles in near CA 116.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 24 significant decision points across 109.3 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 30.9 miles (CA 116): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.8 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 107.1 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Guerneville, CA and Sacramento, CA, road signs point toward Napa and Lake Tahoe.
Napa
30.9 mi in
|
~44m
|
via CA 116
Lake Tahoe
103.8 mi in
|
~2h 16m
|
via US 50; I 80 Business
About the Cities
Starting in Guerneville, CA
Full guide →Guerneville is a town along the Russian River in California. Pronounced "Gurnville", the town is known for environmental and gay activism, and for its beautiful redwood forested riverside site.
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 24m. Total distance: 109.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 24m 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 30.9 miles (CA 116): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.8 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 107.1 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, Point Reyes National Seashore and Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park (6 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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