Sacramento to Redwood Shores is 109.4 miles and takes about 2h 15m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, Bayshore Freeway, and Eastshore Freeway, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within California, moving from the Pacific Coast region to the same region. It's a straightforward drive that's manageable for a single day, making it a convenient option for a quick transition between these two areas. Expect a mixed drive experience that combines freeway cruising with potentially some more localized sections as you approach your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
54.7 miles from Sacramento, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
56.3 mi
1h 7m
Bayshore Freeway
16.3 mi
18m
Eastshore Freeway
15.2 mi
17m
James Lick Freeway
4.3 mi
6m
Yolo Causeway
3.9 mi
4m
Linus F. Claeys Freeway
3.4 mi
3m
Capital City Freeway
3.2 mi
3m
Route 80
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 56.3 mi, about 1h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sacramento, CA and Redwood Shores, 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
4.3 mi·6 min·James Lick Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on US 101
5.2 mi·6 min·Bayshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto US 101
11 mi·12 min·Bayshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
508 ft·12 sec
Exit 412Toward Ralston Avenue, Marine ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward Ralston AvenueUse the left / right lanes.
26
Turn left onto Marine Parkway
0.9 mi·2 min·Marine Parkway
Use the left lane.
27
Turn right onto Bridge Parkway
0.5 mi·1 min·Bridge Parkway
28
Turn left onto Redwood Shores Parkway
0.4 mi·1 min·Redwood Shores Parkway
Use the left lane.
29
Turn left onto Marlin Drive
0.2 mi·36 sec·Marlin Drive
Use the left lane.
30
Arrive at destination
Marlin Drive
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 15 minutes, this trip is easily completed in a single day. Aim to leave Sacramento in the morning to avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you enter the Bay Area. While there are no specific stops recommended in the data, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $25. The longest stretch is over 56 miles, so plan for a single fuel stop if needed before you begin, or be prepared to find one along the route. The flexibility of a shorter drive means you can depart when it's most convenient for you.
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 54.7 miles from Sacramento, CA, or about 1h 4m 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 54.7 miles or 1h 4m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Redwood Shores, 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 109.4 miles and 2h 15m.
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 54.7 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 107.2 — 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
107.1 mi into trip|~2h 9m in
Take the exit toward Ralston Avenue, Marine Parkway
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 412
Toward Ralston Avenue, Marine Parkway
8
107.2 mi into trip|~2h 10m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Ralston Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward Ralston Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.14 one way
$50.29 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg38 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$25.91
$51.82
premium
$6.18
$26.60
$53.21
diesel
$5.61
$24.15
$48.31
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: 38.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
32.8
0
$11.49
$5.25
Efficient EV
27.4
0
$9.57
$4.38
EV Truck/SUV
43.8
0
$15.32
$7.00
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (66% 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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Sacramento, CA
Morning
in Sacramento on Sunday
Local time
7:40 AM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Sunny
NNW 13 to 18 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 10:43AM PDT until April 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 10:32AM PDT until April 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Destination
Redwood Shores, CA
Morning
in Redwood Shores on Sunday
Local time
7:40 AM
PDT
Current temp
66°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
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 15m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a mixed drive, with 42% of it on major highways like the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and the Bayshore Freeway. You'll encounter one significant uninterrupted stretch of 56.3 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, providing a good opportunity for consistent travel. The character of the drive will likely evolve, starting with open freeway and potentially becoming more urban or suburban as you near Redwood Shores. It's not a purely scenic journey, but rather a functional connection designed for efficient travel.
42% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
30 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?
9/10
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 Effort9/10
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 109.4 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 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.
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 Redwood Shores, 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
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 15m. Total distance: 109.4 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 (42%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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 Redwood Shores, 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. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Redwood Shores, CA before heading back.
