How far is Alta Sierra, CA from Sacramento, CA?
The driving distance from Alta Sierra, CA to Sacramento, CA is about 317 miles (510.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 254.9 miles (410.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 00m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 05h 30m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The most populous city in Madera County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Alta Sierra and Sacramento.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alta Sierra and Sacramento.
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1
Start on Old State Road
148 m · 22 sec · Old State Road
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2
Continue on Old State Road
2227 ft · 1 min · Old State Road
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3
Turn left onto Evans Road
13 mi · 19 min · Evans Road
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4
Turn slight left onto Bakersfield-Glennville Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · Bakersfield-Glennville Road
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5
Keep slight right to continue on Bakersfield-Glennville Road
8 mi · 12 min · Bakersfield-Glennville Road
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6
Continue on Garces Highway
24.9 mi · 37 min · Garces Highway
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7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Garces Highway
44 m · 3 sec · Garces Highway
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8
Exit the roundabout onto Garces Highway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Garces Highway
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9
Turn right onto Fremont Street
2110 ft · 39 sec · Fremont Street
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10
Take the ramp left
761 ft · 19 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Golden State Highway
87.7 mi · 1 hr 35 min · Golden State Highway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Avenue 7
2522 ft · 31 sec
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13
Merge slight left
21.4 mi · 24 min
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Northbound California State Route 99
84.6 mi · 1 hr 38 min · Northbound California State Route 99
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15
Continue on Golden State Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Golden State Highway
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16
Continue on Old U.S. Route 99E
1.3 mi · 1 min · Old U.S. Route 99E
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17
Keep slight left
44.7 mi · 52 min
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18
Continue on Capital City Freeway
2593 ft · 32 sec · Capital City Freeway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward N Street
1261 ft · 33 sec
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20
Turn left onto 30th Street
858 ft · 24 sec · 30th Street
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21
Turn left onto L Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · L Street
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22
Turn right onto 16th Street
1265 ft · 33 sec · 16th Street
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23
Turn left onto I Street
2891 ft · 1 min · I Street
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24
Turn left onto 9th Street
22 m · 2 sec · 9th Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 9th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Alta Sierra and Sacramento.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Golden State Highway
Merge slight left onto Golden State Highway
87.7 mi · 01h 35m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Alta Sierra and Mostly Sunny near Sacramento.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Alta Sierra to Sacramento?
The road trip is about 317 miles (510.1 km) and usually takes 05h 30m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Madera is a useful midpoint, sitting about 147.5 miles from Alta Sierra and 169.4 miles from Sacramento.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 254.9 miles (410.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 62.1 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:00 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $64.56 one way or $129.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 99.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Alta Sierra and Mostly Sunny near Sacramento.
Stop Ideas Near Madera
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Madera.
Madera
Fresno station
Merced station
Mariposa, CA
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Alta Sierra and Sacramento. Straight-line distance: 254.92 mi (410.26 km).
#1 Alta Sierra
Census-designated place in Nevada County, California
| Population | 7,047 |
| Coordinates | 35.7312600, -118.5539000 |
| Altitude | 1743 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Sacramento
The sixth most populous city in California and the center of the Sacramento metropolitan area.
| Population | 512,838 |
| Coordinates | 38.5815700, -121.4944000 |
| Altitude | 9 |
| Country | United States |
End: 9th Street (-121.49442, 38.581575)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 510 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $64.56 | $129.11 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $67.88 | $135.76 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $69.86 | $139.72 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $84.67 | $169.35 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in California · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.