Sacramento to Lone Pine is 329.1 miles and takes about 6h 57m via El Dorado Freeway and CA 89, with a fuel budget near $73 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route travels within California, taking you from the Pacific Coast region towards the eastern Sierra Nevada. Expect a predominantly highway drive with some stretches on more rural roads as you head south. It's a manageable one-day trip, offering a direct path to your destination without excessive complexity.
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
164.6 miles from Sacramento, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
El Dorado Freeway
60.4 mi
1h 11m
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
48.6 mi
57m
CA 89
45.8 mi
1h 4m
Main Street
43.8 mi
53m
US 395
43.6 mi
50m
Route 395
39.8 mi
51m
US 50
33.1 mi
45m
El Camino Sierra
5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
El Dorado Freeway
— 60.4 mi, about 1h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sacramento, CA and Lone Pine, CA.
1
Start on 9th Street
348 ft·16 sec·9th Street
2
Turn left onto J Street
0.5 mi·55 sec·J Street
3
Turn right onto 15th Street
1.1 mi·2 min·15th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn left onto X Street
400 ft·8 sec·X Street
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 80 East, CA 99 South: Reno, Placerville, Fresno
6
Merge onto US 50; I 80 Business
0.4 mi·22 sec·Capital City Freeway
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50
60 mi·1 hr 11 min·El Dorado Freeway
Exit 6AToward US 50 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 50
33 mi·45 min·US 50
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 50
0.3 mi·33 sec·US 50
10
Enter roundabout onto CA 89
34 ft·1 sec·CA 89
11
Continue on CA 89
17 mi·23 min·CA 89
12
Turn right onto CA 89
11 mi·15 min·CA 89
13
Turn left onto CA 89
18 mi·25 min·CA 89
14
Turn right onto US 395
40 mi·51 min·Route 395
15
Turn left onto Emigrant Street
0.5 mi·42 sec·Emigrant Street
16
At end of road, turn right onto Sinclair Street
0.1 mi·13 sec·Sinclair Street
17
Turn left onto US 395
44 mi·53 min·Main Street
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 395
44 mi·50 min·US 395
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn right onto North Barlow Lane
1.0 mi·1 min·North Barlow Lane
20
Turn left onto CA 168
1.5 mi·2 min·West Line Street
21
Turn right onto US 395; CA 168; US 6 Hist
2.4 mi·3 min·South Main Street
22
Continue on US 395; CA 168; US 6 Hist
5.0 mi·5 min·El Camino Sierra
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on US 395; CA 168; US 6 Hist
7.4 mi·8 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
0.2 mi·32 sec·North Main Street
25
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
26 mi·31 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
0.7 mi·1 min·North Edwards Street
27
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
15 mi·17 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
28
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
0.2 mi·43 sec·North Main Street
29
Turn right onto West Bush Street
296 ft·15 sec·West Bush Street
30
Turn right onto North Washington Street
78 ft·3 sec·North Washington Street
31
Arrive at destination
North Washington Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6h 57m drive, consider an early morning departure from Sacramento to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing yourself, but it's wise to plan for a fuel and restroom break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move onto CA 89, where services might be less frequent than on the initial freeway segments. The $73 fuel cost is an estimate, so it's always good to have a buffer.
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 164.6 miles from Sacramento, CA, or about 3h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.4 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 72 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 164.6 miles or 3h 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lone Pine, 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 329.1 miles and 6h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 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 El Dorado Freeway for about 60.4 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 329 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|15th Street
Turn right onto 15th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
1.7 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the ramp toward I 80 East, CA 99 South: Reno, Placerville, Fresno
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 80 East, CA 99 South: Reno, Placervill...
8
2.3 mi into trip|~4m in|US 50 / El Dorado Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50 / El Dorado Freeway toward US 50 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 6A
Toward US 50 East
6
182 mi into trip|~3h 58m in|US 395 / Main Street
Turn left onto US 395 / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
329 mi into trip|~6h 57m in|West Bush Street
Turn right onto West Bush Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$80.54 one way
$161.08 round trip
$6.22/gal25.4 MPG avg115 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.40
$82.94
$165.87
premium
$6.57
$85.07
$170.15
diesel
$6.18
$80.06
$160.12
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$81
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$106–$131
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 115.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
98.7
1
$34.56
$15.80
Efficient EV
82.3
0
$28.80
$13.16
EV Truck/SUV
131.6
1
$46.07
$21.06
Gas CO2
115 kg
EV CO2
39 kg (66% 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Sacramento, CA
Morning
in Sacramento on Saturday
Local time
11:17 AM
PDT
Current temp
55°F
Clear
ESE 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 16 at 8:41PM PDT until October 17 at 12:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
High Wind Warning
High Wind Warning issued October 16 at 8:41PM PDT until October 18 at 12:00AM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Destination
Lone Pine, CA
Morning
in Lone Pine on Saturday
Local time
11:17 AM
PDT
Current temp
52°F
Clear
WSW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 16 at 8:41PM PDT until October 17 at 12:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
High Wind Warning
High Wind Warning issued October 16 at 8:41PM PDT until October 18 at 12:00AM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
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
3 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 57m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Devils Postpile National Monument
National Monument
Established in 1911 by presidential proclamation, Devils Postpile National Monument protects and preserves the Devils Postpile formation, the 101-foot high Rainbow Falls, and pristine mountain scenery...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 227
Park Closure: Reds Meadow Road Access Restrictions in 2026
Not just a great valley, but a shrine to human foresight, the strength of granite, the power of glaciers, the persistence of life, and the tranquility of the High Sierra. First protected in 1864, Yose...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
$35
near mile 204.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 68% of this drive is on highways, meaning you'll have substantial periods of consistent speed. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 60.4 miles on the El Dorado Freeway. You'll transition from highway cruising to more varied road conditions as you proceed, with fewer exits and potentially more rural scenery. Be prepared for the change in road type after the main highway sections conclude.
68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 60.4 mi on El Dorado Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on El Dorado Freeway and Grand Army of the Republic Highway. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near 15th Street.
Driving Effort5/10
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 329.1 miles you will encounter 17 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 0.5 miles (15th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.7 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.3 miles (US 50 / El Dorado Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
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
•Sacramento Valley Station — main railroad and light rail station in Sacramento, California
•Crocker Art Museum — art museum in Sacramento, California
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 57m. Total distance: 329.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 57m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (68%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 60.4 miles on El Dorado Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 3 rest areas or service plazas 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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Lone Pine, 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. There are 3 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (15th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.7 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.3 miles (US 50 / El Dorado Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Devils Postpile National Monument and Yosemite National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 13.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lone Pine, CA before the return drive.
