Origin
Sunnyvale, CA
Late night in Sunnyvale on Tuesday
Local time
5:02 AM
PDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sunnyvale, CA to Sacramento, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 24m
Distance
119.6 mi
193 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 14m
★
6 AM
2h 24m
8 AM
2h 44m
10 AM
2h 31m
12 PM
2h 29m
3 PM
2h 32m
5 PM
2h 43m
8 PM
2h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sunnyvale, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Sacramento, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 119.6-mile drive from Sunnyvale, CA to Sacramento, CA, takes about 2 hours and 24 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily navigate major freeways, with 54% of the journey on highways. Expect a fuel cost of around $27 for this journey across the Pacific Coast region. The overall profile is a mixed drive, suggesting a balance of highway speeds and potentially some varied road conditions. With no recommended overnight stops, this route is straightforward and manageable for a single day.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.8 miles from Sunnyvale, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 37.3 mi | 43m |
| I 680 | 37.3 mi | 42m |
| Luther E Gibson Freeway | 12 mi | 13m |
| Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway | 7.9 mi | 9m |
| Southbay Freeway | 6.1 mi | 6m |
| Yolo Causeway | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| Nimitz Freeway | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| Capital City Freeway | 3.3 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 37.3 mi, about 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sunnyvale, CA and Sacramento, CA.
1
Start on CA 82
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
West El Camino Real
2
Turn slight left
282 ft
·
19 sec
3
Turn sharp left onto CA 82
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
West El Camino Real
4
Turn right onto South Mathilda Avenue
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
South Mathilda Avenue
Use the right lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward CA 237 East: Milpitas
6
Merge onto CA 237
6.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Southbay Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 880 North: Oakland
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 880
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Nimitz Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 880
0.6 mi
·
41 sec
·
Nimitz Freeway
10
Take the exit onto CA 262
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
CA 262
Exit 12A
Toward Sacramento
Use the slight right lane.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward I 680 North: Sacramento
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 680 North: Sacramento
Use the straight lane.
13
Merge onto I 680
37 mi
·
42 min
·
I 680
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 680
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Toward I 680 North: Martinez, Sacramento
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 680
243 ft
·
3 sec
·
Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Use the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
0.4 mi
·
26 sec
·
Benicia-Martinez Bridge
18
Continue on I 680
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Luther E Gibson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 71A
Toward I 80 East, CA 12 East: Fairfield, Sacramento
20
Merge onto I 80; CA 12
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
27 mi
·
31 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 80
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Yolo Causeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50; I 80 Business
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Capital City Freeway
Exit 82
Toward Sacramento, South Lake Tahoe
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
Exit 4A
Toward I 5 North, I 5 South: Redding, Los Angeles
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 4A
Toward I 5 North: Redding
Use the slight left lane.
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 4A
Toward I 5 North: Redding
28
Merge onto I 5
0.6 mi
·
44 sec
·
Westside Freeway
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 519B
Toward J Street, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Turn right onto J Street
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
J Street
31
Turn left onto 5th Street
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
5th Street
Use the straight lane.
32
Turn right onto H Street
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
H Street
33
Turn right onto 9th Street
490 ft
·
15 sec
·
9th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
34
Arrive at destination
9th Street
Trip Plan
Given this is a relatively short 2-hour and 24-minute drive, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Consider leaving early to avoid potential traffic, especially if traveling on a weekday. With 119.6 miles and a fuel cost estimate of $27, planning one fuel stop might be prudent, though not strictly necessary. Keep an eye on the weather as you head inland from the Pacific Coast region. Since there are no designated stops, pack snacks and drinks to stay comfortable throughout the journey, especially during the 37.3-mile stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
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 59.8 miles from Sunnyvale, CA, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.3 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 26 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.8 miles or 1h 13m 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 57m
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 Sunnyvale, 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 Sunnyvale, CA
This is one driving day of about 119.6 miles and 2h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Sunnyvale, 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 37.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
60 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 59.8 miles from Sunnyvale, 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 295 decision points cluster between mile 14.8 and 117.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
14.8 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 680 North: Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 680 North: Sacramento
8
52.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
|
I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway toward I 680 North: Martinez, Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 680 North: Martinez, Sacramento
9
114.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 16m 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
117.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 20m 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
117.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 20m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.49 one way
$54.98 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $28.33 | $56.65 |
| premium | $6.18 | $29.09 | $58.17 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.41 | $52.81 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.9 | 0 | $12.56 | $5.74 |
| Efficient EV | 29.9 | 0 | $10.46 | $4.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.8 | 0 | $16.74 | $7.65 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Destination
Sacramento, CA
Late night in Sacramento on Tuesday
Local time
5:02 AM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Sunny
NNW 13 to 18 mph
0% chance
Live 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
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
1 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 24m 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...
5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 57.8
View on nps.gov
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...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 49.5
View on nps.gov
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 49.5
View on nps.gov
Muir Woods National Monument
National Monument
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,...
27 mi from route
~69 min detour
$15
near mile 61.9
View on nps.gov
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
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...
29 mi from route
~74 min detour
Free
near mile 49.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Your drive will largely consist of highway travel, with 54% of the route on major roadways like the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, I-680, and the Luther E. Gibson Freeway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 37.3 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, offering a good period of consistent cruising. The 'Mixed drive' profile indicates you'll experience a variety of road types, moving from faster freeway segments to potentially more varied conditions as you approach your destination. This blend means you'll get a taste of both efficient travel and less predictable stretches.
54% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 37.3 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 14.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 29 significant decision points across 119.6 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 14.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 52.4 miles (I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114.1 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.
About the Cities
Starting in Sunnyvale, CA
Full guide →Sunnyvale is a city in the South Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, in California. Sunnyvale was ranked the 5th safest city in the United States in its size category for 2004.
Arriving 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
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 24m. Total distance: 119.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (54%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 37.3 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 14.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 52.4 miles (I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114.1 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.
Yes — Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Sacramento, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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