How far is Buttonwillow, CA from Sacramento, CA?
The driving distance from Buttonwillow, CA to Sacramento, CA is about 261.2 miles (420.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 246.6 miles (396.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 24m 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 04h 12m.
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.
Census-designated place in Merced County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Buttonwillow and Sacramento.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buttonwillow and Sacramento.
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1
Start on East 1st Street
1370 ft · 1 min · East 1st Street
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Buttonwillow Drive
3.9 mi · 7 min · Buttonwillow Drive
-
3
Take the ramp left
1220 ft · 30 sec
-
4
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
182.3 mi · 3 hr 15 min · Westside Freeway
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5
Keep slight right to continue on Westside Freeway
25.5 mi · 28 min · Westside Freeway
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6
Keep left to continue on Westside Freeway
47.5 mi · 53 min · Westside Freeway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward J Street, Downtown
1300 ft · 34 sec
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8
Turn right onto J Street
822 ft · 25 sec · J Street
-
9
Turn left onto 5th Street
814 ft · 19 sec · 5th Street
-
10
Turn right onto H Street
1602 ft · 40 sec · H Street
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11
Turn right onto 9th Street
149 m · 15 sec · 9th Street
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 9th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Buttonwillow and Sacramento.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Westside Freeway
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
182 mi · 03h 15m
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 Buttonwillow and Sunny near Sacramento.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Buttonwillow to Sacramento?
The road trip is about 261.2 miles (420.3 km) and usually takes 04h 12m 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?
South Dos Palos is a useful midpoint, sitting about 130.4 miles from Buttonwillow and 130.7 miles from Sacramento.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 246.6 miles (396.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.6 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 8:36 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $53.19 one way or $106.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 81.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Buttonwillow and Sunny near Sacramento.
Stop Ideas Near South Dos Palos
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 South Dos Palos.
Merced station
Madera
Denair station
Fresno station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Buttonwillow and Sacramento. Straight-line distance: 246.55 mi (396.78 km).
#1 Buttonwillow
Place in Kern County California
| Population | 1,508 |
| Coordinates | 35.4005200, -119.4695600 |
| Altitude | 82 |
| 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: 420 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $53.19 | $106.38 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $55.93 | $111.86 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $57.56 | $115.12 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $69.77 | $139.54 |
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 · Apr 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.