How far is Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA from Sacramento, CA?
The driving distance from Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA to Sacramento, CA is about 193.8 miles (311.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 142 miles (228.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 50m 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 03h 25m.
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 Alameda 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea and Sacramento.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Sacramento.
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1
Start on Ocean Avenue
25 m · 10 sec · Ocean Avenue
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2
Continue on Ocean Avenue
1.1 km · 2 min · Ocean Avenue
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3
Turn left onto Cabrillo Highway
4 mi · 5 min · Cabrillo Highway
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4
Keep slight left to continue on Cabrillo Highway
12.8 mi · 14 min · Cabrillo Highway
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5
Keep slight right
6.3 mi · 8 min
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6
Turn straight
150 m · 6 sec
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7
Keep slight right
1362 ft · 21 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto El Camino Real
13.2 mi · 15 min · El Camino Real
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9
Continue on South Valley Freeway
26.3 mi · 30 min · South Valley Freeway
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10
Keep slight left
8 mi · 9 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 280, I 680: Downtown San Jose, Sacramento
2992 ft · 57 sec
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 680: Sacramento
2997 ft · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left onto Sinclair Freeway
44.6 mi · 51 min · Sinclair Freeway
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14
Continue on Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
5 mi · 6 min · Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
6 mi · 7 min · Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
74 m · 3 sec · Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
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18
Keep slight right to continue on Benicia-Martinez Bridge
2053 ft · 27 sec · Benicia-Martinez Bridge
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19
Continue on Luther E Gibson Freeway
12 mi · 14 min · Luther E Gibson Freeway
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20
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 East, CA 12 East: Fairfield, Sacramento
2286 ft · 56 sec
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21
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1.7 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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22
Keep slight left to continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
27.3 mi · 31 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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23
Keep slight left to continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
8.4 mi · 10 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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24
Continue on Yolo Causeway
3.7 mi · 4 min · Yolo Causeway
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25
Keep slight left to continue on Capital City Freeway
3.3 mi · 4 min · Capital City Freeway
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26
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 North, I 5 South: Redding, Los Angeles
1053 ft · 14 sec
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27
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 North: Redding
1052 ft · 30 sec
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28
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 North: Redding
1112 ft · 15 sec
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29
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
1 km · 44 sec · Westside Freeway
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30
Take the exit slight right toward J Street, Downtown
1300 ft · 34 sec
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31
Turn right onto J Street
822 ft · 25 sec · J Street
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32
Turn left onto 5th Street
814 ft · 19 sec · 5th Street
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33
Turn right onto H Street
1602 ft · 40 sec · H Street
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34
Turn right onto 9th Street
149 m · 15 sec · 9th Street
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35
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 9th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carmel-by-the-Sea 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.
Sinclair Freeway
Merge slight left onto Sinclair Freeway
44.6 mi · 00h 51m
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 Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea to Sacramento?
The road trip is about 193.8 miles (311.9 km) and usually takes 03h 25m 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?
Sunol is a useful midpoint, sitting about 94.9 miles from Carmel-by-the-Sea and 98.9 miles from Sacramento.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 142 miles (228.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 51.8 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 10:10 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.46 one way or $78.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 60.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Carmel-by-the-Sea and Mostly Sunny near Sacramento.
Stop Ideas Near Sunol
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 Sunol.
Pleasanton, CA
Fremont (San Joaquin Buses), California
Fremont station
Dublin-Pleasanton, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Sacramento. Straight-line distance: 141.96 mi (228.47 km).
#1 Carmel-by-the-Sea
City in Monterey County, California
| Population | 3,744 |
| Coordinates | 36.5552400, -121.9232900 |
| Altitude | 68 |
| 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: 312 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $39.46 | $78.92 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $41.49 | $82.98 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $42.70 | $85.40 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $51.76 | $103.52 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.