Sacramento to Humboldt Hill is 285.4 miles and takes about 6h 5m via Redwood Highway and CA 20, with a fuel budget near $65 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you from the Pacific Coast region of California to another part of the same region, offering a direct path between these two points. It's a route that mostly sticks to major highways but includes some surface road sections, making it a straightforward drive for a single day. If you're looking for a practical way to get from Sacramento to the Humboldt area, this route fits the bill.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
142.7 miles from Sacramento, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Redwood Highway
138.8 mi
2h 50m
CA 20
79.4 mi
1h 54m
Westside Freeway
57.9 mi
1h 3m
Willits Bypass
4.7 mi
5m
Humboldt Hill Road
0.7 mi
1m
Linda Road
0.5 mi
1m
I Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Purdue Drive
0.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Redwood Highway
— 138.8 mi, about 2h 50m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 101 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,908 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~300 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 29 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 Humboldt Hill, CA.
1
Start on 9th Street
348 ft·16 sec·9th Street
2
Turn left onto J Street
406 ft·14 sec·J Street
3
Turn left onto 10th Street
419 ft·18 sec·10th Street
4
Turn left onto I Street
0.4 mi·44 sec·I Street
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward I 5 North, CA 99 North: Redding, Yuba CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 5
5.6 mi·6 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
52 mi·56 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward CA 20: Colusa, Clear Lake
9
Turn left onto CA 20
37 mi·50 min·CA 20
10
Enter roundabout onto CA 20
58 ft·0 sec·CA 20
11
Continue on CA 20
19 mi·31 min·CA 20
Use the straight lane.
12
Enter roundabout onto CA 20
120 ft·6 sec·CA 20
13
Continue on CA 20
3.8 mi·5 min·CA 20
14
Enter roundabout onto CA 20
46 ft·0 sec·CA 20
15
Continue on CA 20
19 mi·25 min·CA 20
16
Take the exit onto CA 20
0.3 mi·33 sec·CA 20
17
Merge onto US 101; CA 20
12 mi·15 min·Redwood Highway
18
Continue on US 101
4.5 mi·5 min·Willits Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.7 mi·48 sec
20
Merge onto US 101
0.2 mi·16 sec·Willits Bypass
21
Continue on US 101
126 mi·2 hr 35 min·Redwood Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward King Salmon
23
Continue on South Broadway Street
0.1 mi·25 sec·South Broadway Street
24
Turn right onto Purdue Drive
0.3 mi·1 min·Purdue Drive
25
Turn left onto Stanford Drive
0.2 mi·42 sec·Stanford Drive
26
Turn right onto Humboldt Hill Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Humboldt Hill Road
27
Turn left onto Skyline Drive
0.1 mi·36 sec·Skyline Drive
28
Turn left onto Vista Road
0.2 mi·53 sec·Vista Road
29
Continue on Linda Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Linda Road
30
Continue on Linda Road
350 ft·17 sec·Linda Road
31
Continue on Linda Road
116 ft·5 sec·Linda Road
32
Arrive at destination
Linda Road
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 5m duration, leaving Sacramento in the morning is advisable to make the most of daylight. The route has only one recommended stop, so plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or where the road profile changes. Keep an eye on your fuel; while the estimated cost is $65, it's always wise to top off before heading into longer stretches, especially on the Redwood Highway. Since this is a one-day trip, you have flexibility, but aim to arrive in Humboldt Hill with enough time to settle in before dark.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 142.7 miles from Sacramento, CA, or about 3h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 138.8 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 63 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 142.7 miles or 3h 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 4h 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Humboldt Hill, 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 285.4 miles and 6h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Sacramento, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Redwood Highway for about 138.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 6.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|J Street
Turn left onto J Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|10th Street
Turn left onto 10th Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|I Street
Turn left onto I Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the ramp toward I 5 North, CA 99 North: Redding, Yuba City
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 5 North, CA 99 North: Redding, Yuba Ci...
6
6.7 mi into trip|~9m 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.71 one way
$119.42 round trip
$5.31/gal25.4 MPG avg100 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$62.01
$124.03
premium
$5.67
$63.65
$127.31
diesel
$4.80
$53.89
$107.78
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
85.6
1
$29.97
$13.70
Efficient EV
71.4
0
$24.97
$11.42
EV Truck/SUV
114.2
1
$39.96
$18.27
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Sacramento, CA
Late night
in Sacramento on Sunday
Local time
12:00 AM
PDT
Current temp
90°F
Sunny
SSW 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 5:57PM PDT until July 17 at 6:45PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 2:01PM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Destination
Humboldt Hill, CA
Late night
in Humboldt Hill on Sunday
Local time
12:00 AM
PDT
Current temp
52°F
Widespread Fog
NNW 2 to 9 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 5:57PM PDT until July 17 at 6:45PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 2:01PM PDT until July 17 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
38 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
6h 5m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is a mixed bag, with 48% of it on highways. You'll experience a long stretch of 138.8 miles on the Redwood Highway, which will likely feel like rural cruising. After that, the profile shifts to more surface roads, so expect a change in driving pace and environment. The transition from Westside Freeway to CA 20 signifies the shift from more urban-influenced driving to a more open road feel.
48% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 138.8 mi on Redwood Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 0.1 miles in near J Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 285.4 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 0.1 miles (J Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (10th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (I Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,843 ft27 ft
Total Climb
2,632 ft
Total Descent
2,323 ft
Highest Point
1,843 ft
~81.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,816 ft
Notable High Points
1,843 ft at ~81.5 miles+502 ft prominence
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 Humboldt Hill, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Clear Lake 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
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 5m. Total distance: 285.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 5m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 138.8 miles on Redwood Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Humboldt Hill, 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (J Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (10th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (I Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Humboldt Hill, CA before the return drive.
