Origin
North Richmond, CA
Afternoon in North Richmond on Saturday
Local time
4:46 PM
PDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from North Richmond, CA to Sacramento, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 25, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 27m
Distance
71.8 mi
116 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 21m
★
6 AM
1h 27m
8 AM
1h 41m
10 AM
1h 32m
12 PM
1h 31m
3 PM
1h 33m
5 PM
1h 40m
8 PM
1h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
North Richmond, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Sacramento, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
North Richmond to Sacramento is 71.8 miles and takes about 1 hour 27 minutes via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within California, traversing the Pacific Coast region. Expect a route that's primarily on surface roads, offering a more local feel than a pure freeway experience. It's a straightforward trip, ideal for a quick transit or a day trip without needing an overnight stay.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 50.2 mi | 58m |
| Yolo Causeway | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| Linus F. Claeys Freeway | 3.5 mi | 3m |
| Richmond Parkway | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| Capital City Freeway | 3.3 mi | 3m |
| Eastshore Freeway | 3.2 mi | 3m |
| Carquinez Bridge | 1 mi | 1m |
| Fred Jackson Way | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 50.2 mi, about 58m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 38 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,091 veh/hr typical
Quietest
1 AM
~388 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 13 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Richmond, CA and Sacramento, CA.
1
Start on Market Avenue
150 ft
·
11 sec
·
Market Avenue
2
Turn left onto Fred Jackson Way
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Fred Jackson Way
3
At end of road, turn right onto Parr Boulevard
466 ft
·
16 sec
·
Parr Boulevard
4
Turn left onto Goodrick Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Goodrick Avenue
5
Turn right onto Richmond Parkway
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Richmond Parkway
Use the left lane.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 80 East: Sacramento
Use the right lane.
7
Merge onto I 80
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Eastshore Freeway
Exit 21
8
Continue on I 80
3.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Linus F. Claeys Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 80
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
Eastshore Freeway
10
Continue on I 80
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Carquinez Bridge
11
Continue on I 80
14 mi
·
16 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
27 mi
·
31 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 80
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Yolo Causeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
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.
16
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.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 4A
Toward I 5 North: Redding
Use the slight left lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 4A
Toward I 5 North: Redding
19
Merge onto I 5
0.6 mi
·
44 sec
·
Westside Freeway
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 519B
Toward J Street, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn right onto J Street
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
J Street
22
Turn left onto 5th Street
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
5th Street
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn right onto H Street
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
H Street
24
Turn right onto 9th Street
490 ft
·
15 sec
·
9th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Arrive at destination
9th Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
36 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 35.9 miles from North Richmond, 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 66.3 and 70.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
66.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m 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
69.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m 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
69.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m 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
70 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 North: Redding
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 4A
Toward I 5 North: Redding
8
70.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 25m 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
$16.27 one way
$32.55 round trip
$5.76/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.96 | $16.84 | $33.67 |
| premium | $6.09 | $17.22 | $34.44 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $15.27 | $30.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$16
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.5 | 0 | $7.54 | $3.45 |
| Efficient EV | 18 | 0 | $6.28 | $2.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.7 | 0 | $10.05 | $4.60 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 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
Afternoon in Sacramento on Saturday
Local time
4:46 PM
PDT
Current temp
50°F
Partly Cloudy
SSW 5 to 8 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
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
2 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
1h 27m 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?
This drive features 19% highway driving, with the longest stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway covering 50.2 miles. You'll transition from freeway to surface roads, so be prepared for more frequent intersections and traffic signals after the initial highway segment. The profile is mostly surface roads, meaning you'll likely encounter more urban and suburban environments as you approach your destination.
Only 19% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 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
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 66.3 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 71.8 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 66.3 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 69.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
On the drive from North Richmond, CA to Sacramento, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Lake Tahoe along the way.
Lake Tahoe
66.3 mi in
|
~1h 19m
|
via US 50; I 80 Business
About the Cities
Starting in North Richmond, CA
Full guide →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 27m. Total distance: 71.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 27m 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 50.2 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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.
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 66.3 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 69.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park, Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial and San Francisco Maritime 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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