Sacramento to El Granada is 110.5 miles and takes about 2h 19m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, Eastshore Freeway, and Cabrillo Highway, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you from the inland Pacific Coast region to the coast itself, offering a mixed experience of highway cruising and surface street navigation. It's a straightforward trip primarily within California, suitable for a single day of travel. Consider this route if you're looking for a direct path to the coast without extensive detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
55.3 miles from Sacramento, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
56.3 mi
1h 7m
Eastshore Freeway
15.2 mi
17m
Cabrillo Highway
11.2 mi
17m
John F Foran Freeway
4.2 mi
4m
Yolo Causeway
3.9 mi
4m
CA 1
3.6 mi
3m
Linus F. Claeys Freeway
3.4 mi
3m
Capital City Freeway
3.2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 56.3 mi, about 1h 7m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 77 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~4,088 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,923
Quietest
2 AM
~691 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 60 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 Sacramento, CA and El Granada, CA.
1
Start on 9th Street
0.5 mi·1 min·9th Street
2
Turn right onto P Street
0.5 mi·1 min·P Street
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward US 50, I 5 South: South Lake Tahoe, San Francisco, Los Angeles
4
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·12 sec
Toward US 50: South Lake Tahoe, San FranciscoUse the slight left lane.
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·39 sec
Exit 518Toward US 50 West: San FranciscoUse the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto US 50; I 80 Business
3.2 mi·3 min·Capital City Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 80
3.9 mi·4 min·Yolo Causeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 80
50 mi·58 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 80
1.0 mi·1 min·Carquinez Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 80
0.3 mi·24 sec·Eastshore Freeway
11
Continue on I 80
3.4 mi·3 min·Linus F. Claeys Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 80
14 mi·16 min·Eastshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit onto Eastshore Freeway
0.8 mi·1 min·Eastshore Freeway
Toward San FranciscoUse the slight left lane.
14
Merge onto I 80
0.4 mi·33 sec·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn slight left onto I 80
0.4 mi·33 sec·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·8 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the slight left lane.
17
Continue on I 80
0.3 mi·24 sec·Route 80
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
18
Continue on I 80
0.8 mi·1 min·Route 80
Exit 2AUse the straight / slight left lanes.
19
Continue on I 80
0.4 mi·32 sec·Route 80
Exit 1AUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
0.3 mi·25 sec·I 80
Exit 1AToward US 101 South: San JoseUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto US 101
2.0 mi·3 min·James Lick Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Exit 431Toward I 280 South: Daly CityUse the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·22 sec
Toward I 280 South: Daly CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto I 280
4.2 mi·4 min·John F Foran Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 280
1.7 mi·1 min·Junipero Serra Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 1
3.6 mi·3 min·CA 1
Exit 47BToward CA 1 South: PacificaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on CA 1
11 mi·17 min·Cabrillo Highway
Exit 505Toward Sharp Park RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Turn left onto Capistrano Road
111 ft·2 sec·Capistrano Road
Use the left lane.
29
Turn right onto Avenue Alhambra
0.7 mi·1 min·Avenue Alhambra
30
Turn left onto Avenue Portola
72 ft·3 sec·Avenue Portola
31
Arrive at destination
Avenue Portola
Trip Plan
Given this route is just over 2 hours and under 111 miles, you have a lot of flexibility. Leaving Sacramento in the morning should put you in El Granada by midday, avoiding the worst of potential traffic. You won't need to split this drive, but consider a brief stop around the halfway point if needed, as there are no specific recommended stops noted. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $24, and gas stations can be more spread out once you're off the main highways. The transition from freeway to surface roads will require your attention.
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 55.3 miles from Sacramento, CA, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.3 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 24 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.3 miles or 1h 5m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near El Granada, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sacramento, 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 Sacramento, CA
This is one driving day of about 110.5 miles and 2h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Sacramento, 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 56.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 55.3 miles from Sacramento, 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.3 and 95 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
1.3 mi into trip|~2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 50: South Lake Tahoe, San Francisco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 50: South Lake Tahoe, San Francisco
8
1.5 mi into trip|~3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 50 West: San Francisco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 518
Toward US 50 West: San Francisco
8
86.2 mi into trip|~1h 44m in|I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 toward US 101 South: San Jose
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward US 101 South: San Jose
8
88.8 mi into trip|~1h 48m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 280 South: Daly City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 280 South: Daly City
8
95 mi into trip|~1h 55m in|CA 1
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 1 toward CA 1 South: Pacifica
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 47B
Toward CA 1 South: Pacifica
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.18 one way
$50.35 round trip
$5.79/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.96
$25.92
$51.85
premium
$6.14
$26.71
$53.42
diesel
$5.97
$25.96
$51.92
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-09-07.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.2
0
$11.60
$5.30
Efficient EV
27.6
0
$9.67
$4.42
EV Truck/SUV
44.2
0
$15.47
$7.07
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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.
Forecast as of Aug 31, 2026
Origin
Sacramento, CA
Morning
in Sacramento on Thursday
Local time
11:54 AM
PDT
Current temp
57°F
Clear
S 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued August 30 at 1:16PM PDT until August 31 at 3:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued August 30 at 12:56PM PDT until August 31 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Destination
El Granada, CA
Morning
in El Granada on Thursday
Local time
11:54 AM
PDT
Current temp
55°F
Slight Chance Drizzle
W 6 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued August 30 at 1:16PM PDT until August 31 at 3:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued August 30 at 12:56PM PDT until August 31 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
2 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
2h 19m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
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...
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 57.2
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 91.5
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,...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
$15
near mile 83.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 32% of this 110.5-mile drive is on highways, meaning you'll transition to surface roads for a significant portion. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 56.3 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Expect some urban merging and dense exits as you navigate the Eastshore Freeway before transitioning to the more open Cabrillo Highway. The profile is mixed, indicating you won't be on pure freeway the entire way.
32% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 56.3 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
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 1.3 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 19 significant decision points across 110.5 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 1.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 86.2 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
190 ft13 ft
Total Climb
328 ft
Total Descent
321 ft
Highest Point
190 ft
~94.7 mi in
Elevation Range
177 ft
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 Sacramento, CA to El Granada, CA, road signs begin pointing toward San Francisco along the way.
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
The Peninsula (or San Francisco Peninsula) region of the San Francisco Bay Area lies immediately south of the City and County of San Francisco—reaching from its famous neighbor to the north into the high-tech region of Silicon Valley. For purposes of this travel guide, the Peninsula is synonymous with San Mateo County. While many of the Peninsula's residents work and play to the north or south, the Peninsula has its attractions, including some beautiful wilderness areas.
The Peninsula has two coasts—one on the San Francisco Bay, the other on the Pacific Ocean—but few major cities or ports. The Santa Cruz Mountains divide the region in half north-south, with a large wilderness area that's great for hiking and mountain biking.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 19m. Total distance: 110.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (32%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 56.3 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 El Granada, 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 1.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 86.2 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park and Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial (5 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 El Granada, CA before heading back.
