Los Altos to Sacramento is 120.7 miles and takes about 2h 28m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within California, moving from the Pacific Coast region towards the Central Valley. The majority of this drive is on major highways, making it a straightforward journey. It's a practical route for a single-day trip, suitable for those who prefer efficient travel between these two points without extensive detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
60.4 miles from Los Altos, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
50.2 mi
58m
I 880
17.8 mi
20m
Eastshore Freeway
14.3 mi
16m
Nimitz Freeway
7.7 mi
9m
Dumbarton Bridge
6.8 mi
8m
Yolo Causeway
3.7 mi
4m
Bayshore Freeway
3.6 mi
4m
Linus F. Claeys Freeway
3.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 50.2 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Los Altos, CA and Sacramento, CA.
1
Start on North San Antonio Road
1.1 mi·2 min·North San Antonio Road
2
Continue on San Antonio Road
2.1 mi·4 min·San Antonio Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward US 101 North: San FranciscoUse the straight lane.
4
Merge onto US 101
3.6 mi·4 min·Bayshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 404Toward Willow RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Turn right onto CA 114
0.9 mi·1 min·Willow Road
Use the right lane.
7
Turn right onto CA 84
1.6 mi·2 min·Bayfront Expressway
Use the right lane.
8
Continue on CA 84
6.8 mi·8 min·Dumbarton Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on Decoto Road
0.1 mi·16 sec·Decoto Road
Use the right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward I 880 North: OaklandUse the right lane.
11
Merge onto I 880
3.5 mi·4 min·Nimitz Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 880
18 mi·20 min·I 880
Use the slight left lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 880
2.3 mi·3 min·Nimitz Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 880
1.9 mi·2 min·Nimitz Freeway
Exit 46BToward I 80 East, I 580 West: San Rafael, Sacramento
15
Continue on I 80; I 580
3.3 mi·4 min·Eastshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
7.4 mi·8 min·Eastshore Freeway
Toward I 80 East: Vallejo, SacramentoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 80
3.2 mi·3 min·Eastshore Freeway
Exit 21Use the straight / slight left lanes.
18
Continue on I 80
3.5 mi·3 min·Linus F. Claeys Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 80
0.3 mi·26 sec·Eastshore Freeway
20
Continue on I 80
1.0 mi·1 min·Carquinez Bridge
21
Continue on I 80
14 mi·16 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
27 mi·31 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
8.4 mi·9 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on I 80
3.7 mi·4 min·Yolo Causeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
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.
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·13 sec
Exit 4AToward I 5 North, I 5 South: Redding, Los AngelesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 4AToward I 5 North: ReddingUse the slight left lane.
28
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·14 sec
Exit 4AToward I 5 North: Redding
29
Merge onto I 5
0.6 mi·44 sec·Westside Freeway
30
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 519BToward J Street, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Turn right onto J Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·J Street
32
Turn left onto 5th Street
0.2 mi·19 sec·5th Street
Use the straight lane.
33
Turn right onto H Street
0.3 mi·40 sec·H Street
34
Turn right onto 9th Street
490 ft·15 sec·9th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
35
Arrive at destination
9th Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 28 minutes, this drive is easily manageable in a single day. Leaving Los Altos in the morning, perhaps before peak commute hours, will help you avoid the worst of Bay Area traffic. The longest stretch of uninterrupted driving is 50.2 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, so plan a brief stop before or after this segment if you prefer not to drive that far at once. With a fuel cost estimated at $28, ensure your tank is adequately filled before departing, as services can be more spread out on some highway sections.
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 60.4 miles from Los Altos, CA, or about 1h 17m 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 27 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.4 miles or 1h 17m 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 2m
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 Los Altos, 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 Los Altos, CA
This is one driving day of about 120.7 miles and 2h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Los Altos, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 46 and 119.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
46 mi into trip|~1h 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
9
115.2 mi into trip|~2h 20m 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
118.5 mi into trip|~2h 24m 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
118.7 mi into trip|~2h 24m 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
119.8 mi into trip|~2h 26m 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
$27.74 one way
$55.48 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$28.59
$57.18
premium
$6.18
$29.35
$58.71
diesel
$5.61
$26.65
$53.30
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36.2
0
$12.67
$5.79
Efficient EV
30.2
0
$10.56
$4.83
EV Truck/SUV
48.3
0
$16.90
$7.72
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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 19, 2026
Origin
Los Altos, CA
Morning
in Los Altos on Sunday
Local time
11:05 AM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Sacramento, CA
Morning
in Sacramento on Sunday
Local time
11:05 AM
PDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 2 mph0% chanceLive 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
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 28m 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.
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...
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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 41.6
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 62.4
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,...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a mixed drive, with 43% of the route on major highways like the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and I 880. You'll experience stretches of fast-paced freeway driving, including one continuous segment of 50.2 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. While predominantly highway, the overall character is practical rather than overtly scenic, focusing on efficient transit. Expect a blend of urban freeway conditions transitioning into more open highway as you head east.
43% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 50.2 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 46 miles in near I 80 / Eastshore Freeway.
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 24 significant decision points across 120.7 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 46 miles (I 80 / Eastshore Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 115.2 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 118.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Los Altos is in Santa Clara County, in the South Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area in California. The city means "The Heights" or "Foothills" in Spanish. It is mostly residential, but it does have several areas which could be considered 'business districts'.
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 28m. Total distance: 120.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (43%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface 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.
Yes — we found about 3 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. There are 3 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 46 miles (I 80 / Eastshore Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 115.2 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 118.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
