How far is Alturas, CA from Sacramento, CA?
The driving distance from Alturas, CA to Sacramento, CA is about 289.2 miles (465.5 km), with a travel time of about 05h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 207 miles (333.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 43m 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 21m.
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.
City in Sierra County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Alturas and Sacramento.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alturas and Sacramento.
-
1
Start on North Howard Street
23 m · 6 sec · North Howard Street
-
2
Turn right onto West 4th Street
85 m · 10 sec · West 4th Street
-
3
Turn right onto North Main Street
2944 ft · 2 min · North Main Street
-
4
Continue on Route 395
89.5 mi · 1 hr 42 min · Route 395
-
5
Turn left onto Standish Buntingville Road
8.5 mi · 13 min · Standish Buntingville Road
-
6
At the end of the road, turn left onto Route 395
55 mi · 1 hr 3 min · Route 395
-
7
Continue on Martin Luther King Junior Memorial Highway
15.6 mi · 18 min · Martin Luther King Junior Memorial Highway
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 80: Sparks, Elko, Reno, Sacramento
793 ft · 10 sec
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on I 80: Reno, Sacramento
1748 ft · 23 sec
-
10
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
14.6 mi · 17 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
-
11
Continue on Alan S. Hart Freeway
101.9 mi · 1 hr 57 min · Alan S. Hart Freeway
-
12
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
7.1 mi · 8 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
-
13
Keep slight right to continue on Capital City Freeway
4.9 mi · 5 min · Capital City Freeway
-
14
Keep slight right to continue on North Sacramento Freeway
2.6 mi · 3 min · North Sacramento Freeway
-
15
Continue on North 12th Street
3108 ft · 56 sec · North 12th Street
-
16
Keep slight left to continue on 12th Street
3262 ft · 1 min · 12th Street
-
17
Turn right onto I Street
1200 ft · 31 sec · I Street
-
18
Turn left onto 9th Street
22 m · 2 sec · 9th Street
-
19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 9th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Alturas and Sacramento.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Alan S. Hart Freeway
Continue on Alan S. Hart Freeway
102 mi · 01h 58m
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 Alturas and Sunny near Sacramento.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Alturas to Sacramento?
The road trip is about 289.2 miles (465.5 km) and usually takes 05h 21m 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?
Loyalton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 151.1 miles from Alturas and 138.2 miles from Sacramento.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 207 miles (333.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 82.2 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 6:16 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $58.84 one way or $117.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 90.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Alturas and Sunny near Sacramento.
Stop Ideas Near Loyalton
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 Loyalton.
Truckee station
Reno
Soda Springs, California
Sparks, Nevada (Train Stop)
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Alturas and Sacramento. Straight-line distance: 206.96 mi (333.07 km).
#1 Alturas
City in California, USA
| Population | 2,542 |
| Coordinates | 41.4871400, -120.5434900 |
| Altitude | 1332 |
| 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: 465 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 38m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $58.84 | $117.69 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $61.87 | $123.75 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $63.68 | $127.36 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $77.18 | $154.37 |
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.