Origin
Napa, CA
Late night in Napa on Tuesday
Local time
2:09 AM
PDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Napa, 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
1h 13m
Distance
59.6 mi
96 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 7m
★
6 AM
1h 13m
8 AM
1h 25m
10 AM
1h 17m
12 PM
1h 16m
3 PM
1h 18m
5 PM
1h 24m
8 PM
1h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Napa, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Sacramento, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Napa to Sacramento covers 59.6 miles, a manageable distance that typically takes about 1 hour and 13 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $14 for fuel to complete the trip. Navigating through the Pacific Coast region, you will transition from the heart of Napa to the state capital. It is a straightforward connection that keeps you moving efficiently between these two California hubs.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 38.2 mi | 44m |
| Jameson Canyon Road | 6.2 mi | 7m |
| Yolo Causeway | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| Capital City Freeway | 3.3 mi | 3m |
| Napa-Vallejo Highway | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| Soscol Avenue | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Napa–Vallejo Highway | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Westside Freeway | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 38.2 mi, about 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Napa, CA and Sacramento, CA.
1
Start on 3rd Street
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
3rd Street
2
Turn right onto Soscol Avenue
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Soscol Avenue
Use the right lane.
3
Continue on CA 221
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Napa-Vallejo Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 221
484 ft
·
8 sec
·
Napa-Vallejo Highway
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward CA 29 South, CA 12 East: Vallejo, Fairfield
6
Continue on CA 12; CA 29
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Napa–Vallejo Highway
7
Turn left onto CA 12
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Jameson Canyon Road
Use the left / uturn lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 12
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
CA 12
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 80; CA 12
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
27 mi
·
31 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 80
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Yolo Causeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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.
14
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.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 4A
Toward I 5 North: Redding
Use the slight left lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 4A
Toward I 5 North: Redding
17
Merge onto I 5
0.6 mi
·
44 sec
·
Westside Freeway
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 519B
Toward J Street, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right onto J Street
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
J Street
20
Turn left onto 5th Street
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
5th Street
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn right onto H Street
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
H Street
22
Turn right onto 9th Street
490 ft
·
15 sec
·
9th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Arrive at destination
9th Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
30 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 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 29.8 miles from Napa, 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 185 decision points cluster between mile 54.1 and 58.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
54.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m 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
57.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m 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
57.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m 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
7
57.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 North: Redding
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 4A
Toward I 5 North: Redding
8
58.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m 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
$13.70 one way
$27.40 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
21 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $14.12 | $28.23 |
| premium | $6.18 | $14.49 | $28.99 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.16 | $26.32 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$14
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.9 | 0 | $6.26 | $2.86 |
| Efficient EV | 14.9 | 0 | $5.22 | $2.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23.8 | 0 | $8.34 | $3.81 |
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 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.
Destination
Sacramento, CA
Late night in Sacramento on Tuesday
Local time
2:09 AM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Partly Cloudy
SSE 2 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 18 at 1:22AM PDT until April 18 at 8:00AM PDT by NWS Eureka CA
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
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 13m 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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your attention as you navigate through the region. With only 7% of the trip consisting of highway travel, you will spend most of your time on winding local roads rather than monotonous interstate stretches. You will experience a significant 38.2-mile segment on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of your drive. As you progress, you will traverse Jameson Canyon Road and eventually cross the Yolo Causeway. The route offers a dynamic feel, shifting from technical local turns to more structured highway driving.
Only 7% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 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 54.1 miles in near US 50; I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 59.6 miles you will encounter 18 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 54.1 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 57.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 57.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
286 ft
19 ft
Total Climb
425 ft
Total Descent
416 ft
Highest Point
286 ft
~8.5 mi in
Elevation Range
267 ft
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 Napa, CA and Sacramento, CA, road signs point toward Fairfield and Lake Tahoe.
Fairfield
4.3 mi in
|
~7m
Lake Tahoe
54.1 mi in
|
~1h 5m
|
via US 50; I 80 Business
About the Cities
Starting in Napa, CA
Full guide →Napa is a city in the state of California, located 50 miles north of San Francisco, at the southern end of scenic Napa Valley.
Top landmarks
- • Napa Valley Opera House — theater in Napa, California, United States
- • Alexandria Hotel and Annex — hotel building in Napa, California
- • COPIA — former non-profit museum in Napa, US
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 1h 13m. Total distance: 59.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 54.1 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 57.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 57.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and Muir Woods National Monument (4 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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