Origin
Marina, CA
Late night in Marina on Tuesday
Local time
3:40 AM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Marina, CA to Sacramento, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 28m
Distance
177.5 mi
286 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 17m
★
6 AM
3h 29m
8 AM
3h 53m
10 AM
3h 38m
12 PM
3h 35m
3 PM
3h 39m
5 PM
3h 52m
8 PM
3h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Marina, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Sacramento, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Marina to Sacramento covers 177.7 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 49 minutes of driving time. Because this journey is manageable in a single day, it works perfectly as a straightforward day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $41 on fuel for the trip, making it a relatively budget-friendly excursion. The route transitions you from the Pacific Coast up toward the state capital, keeping you entirely within California. Since this is a turn-heavy local drive, you should prepare for a more engaged experience behind the wheel compared to a standard interstate cruise.
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
88.7 miles from Marina, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Sinclair Freeway | 44.6 mi | 51m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 37.3 mi | 43m |
| South Valley Freeway | 26.3 mi | 30m |
| El Camino Real | 13.2 mi | 15m |
| Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway | 12.9 mi | 14m |
| Luther E Gibson Freeway | 12 mi | 13m |
| US 101 | 8 mi | 9m |
| CA 156 | 6.7 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
Sinclair Freeway
— 44.6 mi, about 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Marina, CA and Sacramento, CA.
1
Start on this road
102 ft
·
9 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto Carmel Avenue
192 ft
·
7 sec
·
Carmel Avenue
3
Turn right onto CA 1 Business
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Del Monte Boulevard
4
Turn left onto CR G17
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Reservation Road
5
Enter roundabout onto CR G17
120 ft
·
2 sec
·
Reservation Road
6
Continue on CR G17
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Reservation Road
7
Enter roundabout onto CR G17
100 ft
·
1 sec
·
Reservation Road
8
Continue on CR G17
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Reservation Road
9
At end of road, turn left onto CR G17
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
Reservation Road
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
11
Merge onto CA 1
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Cabrillo Highway
12
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 156
6.3 mi
·
8 min
·
CA 156
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn straight onto CA 156
490 ft
·
6 sec
·
CA 156
14
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 156
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
·
CA 156
15
Merge onto US 101; CA 156
13 mi
·
15 min
·
El Camino Real
16
Continue on US 101
26 mi
·
30 min
·
South Valley Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto US 101
8.0 mi
·
9 min
·
US 101
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
56 sec
Exit 384
Toward I 280, I 680: Downtown San Jose, Sacramento
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 680: Sacramento
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 680
45 mi
·
51 min
·
Sinclair Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
21
Continue on I 680
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Toward I 680, CA 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 680
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Toward I 680 North: Martinez, Sacramento
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 680
243 ft
·
3 sec
·
Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Use the slight right lane.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
0.4 mi
·
26 sec
·
Benicia-Martinez Bridge
26
Continue on I 680
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Luther E Gibson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 71A
Toward I 80 East, CA 12 East: Fairfield, Sacramento
28
Merge onto I 80; CA 12
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
27 mi
·
31 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on I 80
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Yolo Causeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
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.
33
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.
34
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 4A
Toward I 5 North: Redding
Use the slight left lane.
35
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 4A
Toward I 5 North: Redding
36
Merge onto I 5
0.6 mi
·
44 sec
·
Westside Freeway
37
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 519B
Toward J Street, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Turn right onto J Street
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
J Street
39
Turn left onto 5th Street
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
5th Street
Use the straight lane.
40
Turn right onto H Street
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
H Street
41
Turn right onto 9th Street
490 ft
·
15 sec
·
9th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
42
Arrive at destination
9th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 49 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time, though leaving early helps avoid potential congestion on local thoroughfares. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and break up the turn-heavy nature of the drive. Since you are relying on local roads like Reservation Road, keep a close eye on your navigation to ensure you stay on track through the various turns. Budget your $41 for fuel before you hit the road so you can focus on the drive itself. A smart strategy for this specific route is to treat the trip as a single, focused block of driving, utilizing your one planned stop to refuel and reset before the final leg into Sacramento.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 88.7 miles from Marina, CA, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.6 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 39 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.7 miles or 1h 44m 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 50m
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 Marina, 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 Marina, CA
This is one driving day of about 177.5 miles and 3h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Marina, 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 Sinclair Freeway for about 44.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
89 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 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 88.7 miles from Marina, 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 345 decision points cluster between mile 59.6 and 175.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
59.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m in
Take the exit toward I 280, I 680: Downtown San Jose, Sacramento
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 384
Toward I 280, I 680: Downtown San Jose, Sacrame...
8
110.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 9m 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
172 mi into trip
|
~3h 21m 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
175.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 25m 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
175.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 25m 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
$40.80 one way
$81.59 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
62 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $42.04 | $84.08 |
| premium | $6.18 | $43.17 | $86.33 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.19 | $78.38 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.3 | 0 | $18.64 | $8.52 |
| Efficient EV | 44.4 | 0 | $15.53 | $7.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 71 | 0 | $24.85 | $11.36 |
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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 Tuesday
Local time
3:40 AM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
San Jose, CA
89 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 28m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 116.4
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...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 116.4
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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 104.2
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,...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
$15
near mile 116.4
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...
29 mi from route
~73 min detour
Free
near mile 116.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a departure from the monotonous highway grind, as this 177.7-mile route prioritizes local navigation over high-speed freeways. With a highway share of 0%, you will spend your time navigating through Carmel Avenue, Del Monte Boulevard, and Reservation Road. This profile creates a technical, turn-heavy atmosphere that keeps you focused on the road ahead rather than coasting on autopilot. Because the route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, the driving experience is consistent and requires steady attention throughout the nearly three-hour duration. It is a practical route for those who prefer local backroads over the faster, more industrial highway alternatives.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
42 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 44.6 mi on Sinclair Freeway.
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 59.6 miles in.
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 34 significant decision points across 177.5 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 59.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 110.3 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 172 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.
About the Cities
Starting in Marina, CA
Full guide →Founded 1975
Marina is a city in Monterey County in California along the coast of the Monterey Bay.
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 3h 28m. Total distance: 177.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 44.6 miles on Sinclair Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 59.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 110.3 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 172 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 — Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Sacramento, CA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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