This 383.7-mile journey from Sun Village, CA to Sacramento, CA will take approximately 7 hours and 13 minutes of driving time. It's a feasible day trip, though you'll want to get an early start to make the most of it. Expect to spend around $88 on fuel for this drive. The route primarily utilizes major freeways, making it a direct and efficient way to travel north within the Pacific Coast region. With just two planned stops, you can cover significant ground quickly on this highway-focused trip.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
191.9 miles from Sun Village, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
298.7 mi
5h 22m
West Avenue D
22.4 mi
30m
Golden State Freeway
21.1 mi
24m
Antelope Valley Freeway
13.7 mi
15m
Lancaster Road
13.5 mi
18m
East Palmdale Boulevard
9.8 mi
13m
95th Street East
1.5 mi
2m
CA 138
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 298.7 mi, about 5h 22m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 276 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~3,964 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,225
Quietest
2 AM
~557 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 43 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 Sun Village, CA and Sacramento, CA.
1
Start on East Avenue R 14
383 ft·22 sec·East Avenue R 14
2
Turn left onto 96th Street East
411 ft·16 sec·96th Street East
3
Turn right onto East Avenue S
0.1 mi·22 sec·East Avenue S
4
Turn right onto 95th Street East
1.5 mi·2 min·95th Street East
5
Turn left onto East Palmdale Boulevard
4.8 mi·6 min·East Palmdale Boulevard
6
Enter roundabout onto CA 138
154 ft·5 sec·East Palmdale Boulevard
7
Continue on CA 138
5.0 mi·6 min·East Palmdale Boulevard
8
Take the exit onto CA 138
0.3 mi·40 sec·CA 138
Toward CA 14 North, CA 138 West: Mojave
9
Merge onto CA 14; CA 138
10 mi·12 min·Antelope Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 14; CA 138
3.3 mi·3 min·Antelope Valley Freeway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit onto CA 138
0.3 mi·44 sec·CA 138
Exit 49Toward CA 138: Avenue D, GormanUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on CA 138
22 mi·30 min·West Avenue D
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on CA 138
13 mi·18 min·Lancaster Road
14
Take the exit
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward I 5 North: Sacramento
15
Merge onto I 5
21 mi·24 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
226 mi·4 hr 1 min·Westside Freeway
Toward I 5 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
26 mi·27 min·Westside Freeway
18
Keep left at fork onto I 5
48 mi·52 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 519BToward J Street, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn right onto J Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·J Street
21
Turn left onto 5th Street
0.2 mi·19 sec·5th Street
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn right onto H Street
0.3 mi·40 sec·H Street
23
Turn right onto 9th Street
490 ft·15 sec·9th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Arrive at destination
9th Street
Trip Plan
For this 7-hour drive, departing early in the morning is highly recommended to avoid potential traffic and maximize daylight hours. Plan for your two stops strategically, perhaps one around the halfway mark for a longer break. Given the substantial longest stretch of 298.7 miles, ensure you're comfortable with extended periods of highway driving. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longest segment, as services can be spread out on these major routes.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 191.9 miles from Sun Village, CA, or about 3h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 298.7 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 84 miles or 1h 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 191.9 miles or 3h 44m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 6m
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 Sun Village, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Sun Village, CA
This is one driving day of about 383.7 miles and 7h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 miles from Sun Village, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 298.7 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 25.6 and 383.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
25.6 mi into trip|~33m in|CA 138
Take the exit onto CA 138 toward CA 138: Avenue D, Gorman
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 49
Toward CA 138: Avenue D, Gorman
7
84.1 mi into trip|~1h 49m in|I 5 / Westside Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 / Westside Freeway toward I 5 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 5 North
8
382.8 mi into trip|~7h 11m 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
7
383.2 mi into trip|~7h 12m in|5th Street
Turn left onto 5th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
383.6 mi into trip|~7h 13m in|9th Street
Turn right onto 9th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$80.27 one way
$160.55 round trip
$5.31/gal25.4 MPG avg134 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$83.37
$166.74
premium
$5.67
$85.58
$171.15
diesel
$4.80
$72.45
$144.90
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$80
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$105–$130
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 134.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
115.1
1
$40.29
$18.42
Efficient EV
95.9
1
$33.57
$15.35
EV Truck/SUV
153.5
1
$53.72
$24.56
Gas CO2
134 kg
EV CO2
45 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Sun Village, CA
Late night
in Sun Village on Tuesday
Local time
2:14 AM
PDT
Current temp
71°F
Mostly Clear
SW 10 to 15 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 7:02PM PDT until July 21 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Destination
Sacramento, CA
Late night
in Sacramento on Tuesday
Local time
2:14 AM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Mostly Clear
S 3 to 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 7:02PM PDT until July 21 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard 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
12 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
7h 13m 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.
César E. Chávez National Monument
National Monument
Yes, we can! Widely recognized as the most important Latino leader in the United States during the twentieth century, Cesar Chavez led farm workers and supporters in the establishment of the country's...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
Free
near mile 92.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 87% of the route on freeways. You'll spend a considerable amount of time on the Westside Freeway, experiencing a continuous stretch of 298.7 miles on this main road. While the Westside Freeway and Golden State Freeway offer straightforward travel, expect a consistent pace with minimal deviations from fast-paced driving. The character of the drive remains largely consistent, emphasizing efficient transit over varied scenery.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 298.7 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and West Avenue D. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 25.6 miles in near CA 138.
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 20 significant decision points across 383.7 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 25.6 miles (CA 138): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.1 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 382.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,107 ft14 ft
Total Climb
1,257 ft
Total Descent
3,954 ft
Highest Point
3,107 ft
~54.8 mi in
Elevation Range
3,093 ft
Notable High Points
3,107 ft at ~54.8 miles+766 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 Sun Village, CA to Sacramento, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Gorman 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 7h 13m. Total distance: 383.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 13m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 298.7 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 32 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 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 25.6 miles (CA 138): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.1 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 382.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — César E. Chávez National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Sacramento, CA before the return drive.
