Origin
Sacramento, CA
Morning in Sacramento on Thursday
Local time
11:54 AM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sacramento, CA to Kings Beach, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 10, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 15m
Distance
113.5 mi
183 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 6m
★
6 AM
2h 16m
8 AM
2h 35m
10 AM
2h 23m
12 PM
2h 21m
3 PM
2h 23m
5 PM
2h 34m
8 PM
2h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sacramento, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Kings Beach, CA
Talha Resitoglu
Trip Overview
Sacramento to Kings Beach is 113.5 miles and takes about 2h 15m via J Street and 16th Street, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays entirely within California, moving from the Pacific Coast region towards another part of the same region. Since the entire route is on surface roads, expect a more local driving experience rather than high-speed highway travel. It’s a straightforward trip perfect for a single day, allowing you to enjoy the scenery without feeling rushed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
56.7 miles from Sacramento, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 6m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Alan S. Hart Freeway | 84.5 mi | 1h 37m |
| CA 267 | 11.6 mi | 16m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 7 mi | 8m |
| Capital City Freeway | 4.9 mi | 5m |
| North Sacramento Freeway | 2.6 mi | 2m |
| 16th Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| J Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| CA 89 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Alan S. Hart Freeway
— 84.5 mi, about 1h 37m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 157 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~3,952 veh/hr typical · worst 4,556
Quietest
2 AM
~281 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 102 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 Kings Beach, CA.
1
Start on 9th Street
348 ft
·
16 sec
·
9th Street
2
Turn left onto J Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
J Street
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn left onto US 40 Historic
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
16th Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Keep slight left at fork onto US 40 Historic
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
16th Street
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on North Sacramento Freeway
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
North Sacramento Freeway
Use the straight lane.
6
Merge onto I 80 Business
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Capital City Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 80
7.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 80
78 mi
·
1 hr 30 min
·
Alan S. Hart Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
Toward Donner Lake
10
Merge onto I 80
6.5 mi
·
7 min
·
Alan S. Hart Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
11
Take the exit onto CA 89
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
CA 89
Toward CA 89 North, CA 267 South: Sierraville, King's Beach
12
Turn right onto CA 267
12 mi
·
16 min
·
CA 267
13
Turn left onto CA 28
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
·
North Lake Boulevard
14
Turn left onto Deer Street
77 ft
·
5 sec
·
Deer Street
15
Turn right onto Trout Avenue
114 ft
·
4 sec
·
Trout Avenue
16
Arrive at destination
Trout Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2h 15m drive time and the absence of significant highway stretches, this route offers considerable flexibility. Aim to depart Sacramento in the morning to avoid the heaviest local traffic. With 113.5 miles and a fuel cost estimated at $25, you won't need many stops, but plan for a brief pause in a community along the way if needed. Since you'll be on surface roads for the entire trip, keep an eye on your speed limits and be mindful of local intersections as you make your way to Kings Beach.
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 56.7 miles from Sacramento, CA, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.5 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 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.7 miles or 1h 6m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kings Beach, 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 113.5 miles and 2h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Sacramento, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Alan S. Hart Freeway for about 84.5 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 56.7 miles from Sacramento, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Alan S. Hart Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 84.5 miles.
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 115 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 94.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
J Street
Turn left onto J Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 40 Historic / 16th Street
Turn left onto US 40 Historic / 16th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
1.2 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 40 Historic / 16th Street
Keep slight left at fork onto US 40 Historic / 16th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
4.4 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway
Merge onto I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
94.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 50m in
|
I 80 / Alan S. Hart Freeway
Merge onto I 80 / Alan S. Hart Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.86 one way
$51.72 round trip
$5.79/gal
25.4 MPG avg
40 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.96 | $26.63 | $53.26 |
| premium | $6.14 | $27.44 | $54.87 |
| diesel | $5.97 | $26.66 | $53.33 |
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: 39.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-09-07.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34.1 | 0 | $11.92 | $5.45 |
| Efficient EV | 28.4 | 0 | $9.93 | $4.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 45.4 | 0 | $15.89 | $7.26 |
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
Kings Beach, CA
Morning in Kings Beach on Thursday
Local time
11:54 AM
PDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Colfax, CA
57 mi in
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
9 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
2h 15m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is entirely on surface roads, with 0% highway share. You'll be navigating local streets like J Street and 16th Street for the full 113.5 miles. The absence of major freeways means you'll encounter more traffic signals and potentially denser local traffic, especially as you depart Sacramento. Be prepared for a consistent pace set by city driving conditions for the duration of the trip.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.5 mi on Alan S. Hart Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Alan S. Hart Freeway and CA 267. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near J Street.
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 113.5 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.1 miles (J Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles (US 40 Historic / 16th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles (US 40 Historic / 16th Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
6,930 ft
27 ft
Total Climb
7,300 ft
Total Descent
1,082 ft
Highest Point
6,930 ft
~89.2 mi in
Elevation Range
6,903 ft
Notable High Points
6,930 ft at ~89.2 miles
+879 ft prominence
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.
Between Sacramento, CA and Kings Beach, CA, road signs point toward Donner Lake and King's Beach.
Donner Lake
94.3 mi in
|
~1h 49m
King's Beach
101.2 mi in
|
~1h 57m
|
via CA 89
About the Cities
Starting 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
Arriving in Kings Beach, CA
Full guide →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 15m. Total distance: 113.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 84.5 miles on Alan S. Hart 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 Kings Beach, 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 0.1 miles (J Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles (US 40 Historic / 16th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles (US 40 Historic / 16th Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Kings Beach, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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