Origin
Nice, CA
Late night in Nice on Tuesday
Local time
2:07 AM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Nice, 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
2h 26m
Distance
114.1 mi
184 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 16m
★
6 AM
2h 26m
8 AM
2h 46m
10 AM
2h 33m
12 PM
2h 31m
3 PM
2h 34m
5 PM
2h 45m
8 PM
2h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Nice, CA
Dominik Gryzbon
Sacramento, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 114.1-mile drive from Nice, CA to Sacramento, CA is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 26 minutes. You'll spend most of your time on major roadways, with 99% of the route being highway driving. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $26. Given its manageable distance and duration, this route is ideal for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times. You'll be traveling within California for the entirety of this journey, moving from the Pacific Coast region inland.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
57.1 miles from Nice, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 58 mi | 1h 3m |
| CA 20 | 54.7 mi | 1h 19m |
| H Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| J Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 5th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 9th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 58 mi, about 1h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nice, CA and Sacramento, CA.
1
Start on CA 20
18 mi
·
29 min
·
CA 20
2
Enter roundabout onto CA 20
166 ft
·
2 sec
·
CA 20
3
Continue on CA 20
37 mi
·
50 min
·
CA 20
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
5
Merge onto I 5
24 mi
·
26 min
·
Westside Freeway
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
16 mi
·
16 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 519B
Toward Downtown, J Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on J Street
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
J Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Turn left onto 5th Street
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
5th Street
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn right onto H Street
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
H Street
12
Turn right onto 9th Street
490 ft
·
15 sec
·
9th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Arrive at destination
9th Street
Trip Plan
With a total duration of around 2.5 hours, this drive offers plenty of flexibility, making it perfect for a day trip. You can choose to depart at your leisure, but leaving earlier in the day can help you avoid any potential traffic as you approach Sacramento. Since the longest continuous stretch is 58 miles, you won't need to worry about frequent fuel stops, but it's always wise to keep an eye on your gauge, especially given the $26 estimated fuel cost. Plan for a brief stop if needed, but the short duration means you can easily complete this trip without needing to break it into 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 57.1 miles from Nice, CA, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58 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 25 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.1 miles or 1h 22m 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 1m
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 Nice, 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 Nice, CA
This is one driving day of about 114.1 miles and 2h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Nice, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 58 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
57 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 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 57.1 miles from Nice, 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 95 decision points cluster between mile 79.4 and 114 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
79.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 46m in
|
I 5 / Westside Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Westside Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
95.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 3m in
|
I 5 / Westside Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Westside Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
113.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 23m 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
113.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m in
|
5th Street
Turn left onto 5th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
114 mi into trip
|
~2h 25m in
|
9th Street
Turn right onto 9th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.23 one way
$52.45 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
40 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $27.02 | $54.05 |
| premium | $6.18 | $27.75 | $55.50 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.19 | $50.38 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34.2 | 0 | $11.98 | $5.48 |
| Efficient EV | 28.5 | 0 | $9.98 | $4.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 45.6 | 0 | $15.97 | $7.30 |
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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
2:07 AM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Sunny
SSW 6 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 11:57AM PDT until April 15 at 3:00AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 9:35AM PDT until April 15 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
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
2h 26m 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 predominantly highway experience on this route, with a 99% highway share contributing to its efficient character. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 58 miles along the Westside Freeway, offering a consistent pace. This drive is designed for straightforward travel, minimizing the need for complex navigation as you primarily follow major arteries like the Westside Freeway and CA 20. While largely highway-focused, the transition into Sacramento will involve navigating city streets, including H Street.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 58 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and CA 20. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 79.4 miles in near I 5 / Westside Freeway.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 114.1 miles you will encounter 9 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 79.4 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 95.1 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 113.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 26m. Total distance: 114.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 58 miles on Westside Freeway. 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 79.4 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 95.1 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 113.1 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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