Origin
Petaluma, CA
Late night in Petaluma on Sunday
Local time
1:00 AM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Petaluma, CA to Sacramento, CA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 42m
Distance
79.3 mi
128 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 34m
★
6 AM
1h 42m
8 AM
1h 57m
10 AM
1h 47m
12 PM
1h 46m
3 PM
1h 48m
5 PM
1h 57m
8 PM
1h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Petaluma, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Sacramento, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Petaluma to Sacramento is 79.3 miles and takes about 1 hour 42 minutes via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive connects two points within California's Pacific Coast region, offering a practical transit rather than a destination in itself. Expect a local, turn-heavy experience for most of the journey. If you're looking for a straightforward, relatively short trip between these two cities, this route is a solid choice for a single-day excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.6 miles from Petaluma, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 38.2 mi | 44m |
| Jameson Canyon Road | 6.2 mi | 7m |
| Fremont Drive | 5 mi | 7m |
| Carneros Highway | 4.4 mi | 6m |
| Yolo Causeway | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| Capital City Freeway | 3.3 mi | 3m |
| Stage Gulch Road | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| Adobe Road | 3.2 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 38.2 mi, about 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Petaluma, CA and Sacramento, CA.
1
Start on Petaluma Boulevard South
77 ft
·
6 sec
·
Petaluma Boulevard South
2
Turn right onto D Street
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
·
D Street
3
Turn right onto Lakeville Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Lakeville Street
4
Continue on Lakeville Highway
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Lakeville Highway
Use the straight lane.
5
Turn left onto Frates Road
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Frates Road
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on Adobe Road
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Adobe Road
7
Continue on CA 116
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Stage Gulch Road
8
Continue on CA 116
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Arnold Drive
9
Enter roundabout onto CA 121
225 ft
·
3 sec
·
Fremont Drive
10
Continue on CA 121
4.9 mi
·
7 min
·
Fremont Drive
11
Continue on CA 12; CA 121
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Carneros Highway
12
Turn right onto CA 29
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Saint Helena Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on CA 12; CA 29
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Napa–Vallejo Highway
14
Turn left onto CA 12
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Jameson Canyon Road
Use the left / uturn lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 12
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
CA 12
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 80; CA 12
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
27 mi
·
31 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 80
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Yolo Causeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
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.
21
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.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 4A
Toward I 5 North: Redding
Use the slight left lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 4A
Toward I 5 North: Redding
24
Merge onto I 5
0.6 mi
·
44 sec
·
Westside Freeway
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 519B
Toward J Street, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn right onto J Street
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
J Street
27
Turn left onto 5th Street
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
5th Street
Use the straight lane.
28
Turn right onto H Street
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
H Street
29
Turn right onto 9th Street
490 ft
·
15 sec
·
9th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Arrive at destination
9th Street
Trip Plan
With a total drive time of under two hours and no recommended stops, this trip offers plenty of flexibility. You can easily depart in the morning and arrive in Sacramento with ample time for activities. Given the nature of the route, which involves local roads and multiple turns, pay close attention to your navigation. While the fuel cost is estimated at $18, it's always wise to start with a full tank, especially since the longest stretch without a significant break is 38.2 miles.
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 39.6 miles from Petaluma, CA, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.2 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 17 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.6 miles or 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 27m
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 Petaluma, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Petaluma, CA
This is one driving day of about 79.3 miles and 1h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Petaluma, 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 38.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
40 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 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 39.6 miles from Petaluma, 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 195 decision points cluster between mile 73.8 and 78.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
73.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m 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
77 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m 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
77.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m 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
77.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 North: Redding
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 4A
Toward I 5 North: Redding
8
78.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m 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
$18.23 one way
$36.45 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $18.78 | $37.56 |
| premium | $6.18 | $19.28 | $38.57 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.51 | $35.02 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.8 | 0 | $8.33 | $3.81 |
| Efficient EV | 19.8 | 0 | $6.94 | $3.17 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.7 | 0 | $11.10 | $5.08 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 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 Sunday
Local time
1:00 AM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live 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
19 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 42m 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...
13 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 32.8
View on nps.gov
Point Reyes National Seashore
National Seashore
From its thunderous ocean breakers crashing against rocky headlands and expansive sand beaches to its open grasslands, brushy hillsides, and forested ridges, Point Reyes offers visitors over 1500 spec...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
Free
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...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 27.3
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,...
23 mi from route
~59 min detour
$15
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...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
Free
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...
30 mi from route
~75 min detour
Free
near mile 8.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll navigate a series of local roads and highways rather than a continuous interstate. The highway share is low at only 5%, so don't anticipate long stretches of high-speed cruising. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 38.2 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Be prepared for more frequent turns and changes in speed as you transition between different road segments.
Only 5% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
30 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 73.8 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 79.3 miles you will encounter 19 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 73.8 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 77 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 77.2 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 Petaluma, CA to Sacramento, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Lake Tahoe along the way.
Lake Tahoe
73.8 mi in
|
~1h 34m
|
via US 50; I 80 Business
About the Cities
Starting in Petaluma, CA
Full guide →Founded 1858
Petaluma is a charming historic town of 60,000 people (2020) amid the hills and pastures of Sonoma County in the Bay Area of California. Petaluma is known for its well-preserved historic center and as a local hub for the Petaluma Valley region of Sonoma County.
Top landmarks
- • Free Public Library of Petaluma — research library and history museum
- • United States Post Office — historic post office in Petaluma, California
- • Petaluma Historic Commercial District — historic district in California, United States
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 42m. Total distance: 79.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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 73.8 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 77 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 77.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, Point Reyes National Seashore and Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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