Sea Ranch to Sacramento is 148.9 miles and takes about 3h 22m via Coast Highway and Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you from the Pacific Coast region into the Sacramento Valley. The majority of the trip is on surface roads, offering a more relaxed pace than a pure interstate experience. It's a straightforward one-day trip, ideal for a quick transition between coastal scenery and inland California.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
74.5 miles from Sea Ranch, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Coast Highway
41.6 mi
59m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
38.2 mi
44m
Roblar Road
6.5 mi
8m
Jameson Canyon Road
6.2 mi
7m
Valley Ford Road
5.5 mi
8m
Bay Highway
5.3 mi
9m
Fremont Drive
5 mi
7m
Redwood Highway
4.7 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Coast Highway
— 41.6 mi, about 59m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 30 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~6,669 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~605 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 21 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 Sea Ranch, CA and Sacramento, CA.
1
Start on CA 1
42 mi·59 min·Coast Highway
2
Continue on CA 1
0.2 mi·43 sec·Bay Highway
3
Turn right onto Eastshore Road
0.3 mi·50 sec·Eastshore Road
4
Turn left onto Bay Flat Road
0.1 mi·34 sec·Bay Flat Road
5
Turn straight onto CA 1
5.1 mi·8 min·Bay Highway
6
Continue on CA 1
2.9 mi·3 min·Valley Ford Cutoff
7
Continue on CA 1
5.5 mi·8 min·Valley Ford Road
8
Turn left onto Roblar Road
6.5 mi·8 min·Roblar Road
9
At end of road, turn right onto Stony Point Road
3.4 mi·6 min·Stony Point Road
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward US 101 South
11
Merge onto US 101; CA 116
4.7 mi·5 min·Redwood Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto CA 116
0.3 mi·55 sec·CA 116
Exit 472BToward CA 116 East: Sonoma, NapaUse the slight right lane.
13
Turn left onto Lakeville Highway
1.5 mi·2 min·Lakeville Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Turn left onto Frates Road
1.5 mi·2 min·Frates Road
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on Adobe Road
3.2 mi·4 min·Adobe Road
16
Continue on CA 116
3.3 mi·5 min·Stage Gulch Road
17
Continue on CA 116
1.6 mi·2 min·Arnold Drive
18
Enter roundabout onto CA 121
225 ft·3 sec·Fremont Drive
19
Continue on CA 121
4.9 mi·7 min·Fremont Drive
20
Continue on CA 12; CA 121
4.4 mi·6 min·Carneros Highway
21
Turn right onto CA 29
2.7 mi·3 min·Saint Helena Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on CA 12; CA 29
1.3 mi·1 min·Napa–Vallejo Highway
23
Turn left onto CA 12
6.2 mi·7 min·Jameson Canyon Road
Use the left / uturn lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 12
0.3 mi·38 sec·CA 12
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Merge onto I 80; CA 12
2.5 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the slight right lane.
26
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
27 mi·31 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
8.4 mi·9 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on I 80
3.7 mi·4 min·Yolo Causeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50; I 80 Business
3.3 mi·3 min·Capital City Freeway
Exit 82Toward Sacramento, South Lake TahoeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.2 mi·13 sec
Exit 4AToward I 5 North, I 5 South: Redding, Los AngelesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 4AToward I 5 North: ReddingUse the slight left lane.
32
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·14 sec
Exit 4AToward I 5 North: Redding
33
Merge onto I 5
0.6 mi·44 sec·Westside Freeway
34
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 519BToward J Street, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Turn right onto J Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·J Street
36
Turn left onto 5th Street
0.2 mi·19 sec·5th Street
Use the straight lane.
37
Turn right onto H Street
0.3 mi·40 sec·H Street
38
Turn right onto 9th Street
490 ft·15 sec·9th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
39
Arrive at destination
9th Street
Trip Plan
For this 148.9-mile drive, leaving in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to reach Sacramento. The total duration is around 3h 22m, so you can comfortably complete it in one day. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to pause. Keep an eye on your fuel as you move inland, as services might become less frequent than on the coast. The estimated fuel cost is $34, so factor that into your budget.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 74.5 miles from Sea Ranch, CA, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.6 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 33 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.5 miles or 1h 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sacramento, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sea Ranch, 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 Sea Ranch, CA
This is one driving day of about 148.9 miles and 3h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Sea Ranch, 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 Coast Highway for about 41.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 74.5 miles from Sea Ranch, 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 70.5 and 148 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
70.5 mi into trip|~1h 42m in|CA 116
Take the exit onto CA 116 toward CA 116 East: Sonoma, Napa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 472B
Toward CA 116 East: Sonoma, Napa
9
143.4 mi into trip|~3h 15m in|US 50; I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50; I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway toward Sacramento, South Lake Tahoe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 82
Toward Sacramento, South Lake Tahoe
8
146.7 mi into trip|~3h 19m in
Take the exit toward I 5 North, I 5 South: Redding, Los Angeles
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 4A
Toward I 5 North, I 5 South: Redding, Los Angel...
9
146.9 mi into trip|~3h 19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 North: Redding
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 4A
Toward I 5 North: Redding
8
148 mi into trip|~3h 20m in
Take the exit toward J Street, Downtown
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 519B
Toward J Street, Downtown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.75 one way
$67.50 round trip
$5.76/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.96
$34.92
$69.83
premium
$6.09
$35.71
$71.43
diesel
$5.40
$31.67
$63.35
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
44.7
0
$15.63
$7.15
Efficient EV
37.2
0
$13.03
$5.96
EV Truck/SUV
59.6
0
$20.85
$9.53
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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 Apr 25, 2026
Origin
Sea Ranch, CA
Afternoon
in Sea Ranch on Saturday
Local time
2:53 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Mostly Cloudy
NW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 24 at 9:04PM PDT until April 26 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 24 at 6:10PM PDT until April 27 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Destination
Sacramento, CA
Afternoon
in Sacramento on Saturday
Local time
2:53 PM
PDT
Current temp
50°F
Partly Cloudy
SSW 5 to 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 24 at 9:04PM PDT until April 26 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 24 at 6:10PM PDT until April 27 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Hanford 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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 22m 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.
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 102.7
From its thunderous ocean breakers crashing against rocky headlands and expansive sand beaches to its open grasslands, brushy hillsides, and forested ridges, Point Reyes offers visitors over 1500 spec...
18 mi from route
~44 min detour
Free
near mile 56.5
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...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 97.6
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,...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
$15
near mile 71.9
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...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 71.9
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...
30 mi from route
~74 min detour
Free
near mile 82.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a 33% highway share, meaning you'll spend a good portion of the 148.9 miles on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a single road is 41.6 miles on Coast Highway, likely providing a good opportunity for steady cruising. You'll transition from coastal routes to inland arteries, so expect a mix of driving environments. The profile is mostly surface roads, suggesting a generally unhurried pace for much of the 3h 22m drive.
Only 3% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 41.6 mi on Coast Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 70.5 miles in near CA 116.
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 26 significant decision points across 148.9 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 70.5 miles (CA 116): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.4 miles (US 50; I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 146.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Sea Ranch, CA to Sacramento, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Napa 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 3h 22m. Total distance: 148.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 41.6 miles on Coast 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 Sacramento, 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 70.5 miles (CA 116): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.4 miles (US 50; I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 146.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, Point Reyes National Seashore and Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Sacramento, CA, but most travelers stay overnight.
