How far is Cottonwood, CA from Sacramento, CA?
The driving distance from Cottonwood, CA to Sacramento, CA is about 145.6 miles (234.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 131.5 miles (211.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 49m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 24m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 California, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cottonwood and Sacramento.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cottonwood and Sacramento.
-
1
Start on 1st Street
19 m · 2 sec · 1st Street
-
2
Turn left onto Main Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · Main Street
-
3
Continue on Bowman Road
922 ft · 25 sec · Bowman Road
-
4
Take the ramp left
1263 ft · 31 sec
-
5
Merge slight left onto Cascade Wonderland Highway
15.9 mi · 17 min · Cascade Wonderland Highway
-
6
Continue on Westside Freeway
93 mi · 1 hr 40 min · Westside Freeway
-
7
Keep slight left to continue on Westside Freeway
15.7 mi · 17 min · Westside Freeway
-
8
Keep slight left to continue on Westside Freeway
17.9 mi · 20 min · Westside Freeway
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown, J Street
1704 ft · 44 sec
-
10
Continue on J Street
822 ft · 25 sec · J Street
-
11
Turn left onto 5th Street
814 ft · 19 sec · 5th Street
-
12
Turn right onto H Street
1602 ft · 40 sec · H Street
-
13
Turn right onto 9th Street
149 m · 15 sec · 9th Street
-
14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 9th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cottonwood 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
Continue on Westside Freeway
93 mi · 01h 40m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Cottonwood and Sunny near Sacramento.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cottonwood to Sacramento?
The road trip is about 145.6 miles (234.3 km) and usually takes 02h 24m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Willows is a useful midpoint, sitting about 72.7 miles from Cottonwood and 72.9 miles from Sacramento.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 131.5 miles (211.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:40 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.18 one way or $64.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cottonwood and Sunny near Sacramento.
Stop Ideas Near Willows
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Northview Park
Willows City Hall
Willows Memorial Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Willows.
Chico station
Corning, California
Oroville, California
Marysville, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cottonwood and Sacramento. Straight-line distance: 131.52 mi (211.66 km).
#1 Cottonwood
Located in Shasta County at an elevation of 433 feet, this Northern California census-designated place is situated in the northern Sacramento Valley near where Cottonwood Creek meets the Sacramento River.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 40.3857100, -122.2808400 |
| Altitude | 132 |
| 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: 234 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $32.18 | $64.36 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $33.40 | $66.81 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $34.38 | $68.76 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $43.24 | $86.49 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026