How far is Elkhorn, CA from Sacramento, CA?
The driving distance from Elkhorn, CA to Sacramento, CA is about 178.6 miles (287.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 122.2 miles (196.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 19m 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 09m.
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 Alameda County, California.
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 Elkhorn and Sacramento.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elkhorn and Sacramento.
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1
Start on Elkhorn Road
1.4 mi · 3 min · Elkhorn Road
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto Walker Valley Road
1.1 km · 2 min · Walker Valley Road
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3
Continue on Walker Valley Road
1 km · 2 min · Walker Valley Road
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4
At the end of the road, turn right onto Paradise Road
2590 ft · 1 min · Paradise Road
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5
At the end of the road, turn left onto Castroville Boulevard
1.7 mi · 2 min · Castroville Boulevard
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6
At the end of the road, turn right onto San Miguel Canyon Road
1.1 km · 1 min · San Miguel Canyon Road
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7
Take the ramp straight
1879 ft · 52 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto El Camino Real
12.6 mi · 14 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 Elkhorn 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.
Sunny leaving Elkhorn and Sunny near Sacramento.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elkhorn to Sacramento?
The road trip is about 178.6 miles (287.5 km) and usually takes 03h 09m 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?
Dublin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85.4 miles from Elkhorn and 93.3 miles from Sacramento.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 122.2 miles (196.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 56.4 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 10:40 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.44 one way or $78.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Elkhorn and Sunny near Sacramento.
Stop Ideas Near Dublin
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 Dublin.
Dublin-Pleasanton, California
Pleasanton, CA
Hayward station
Fremont station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elkhorn and Sacramento. Straight-line distance: 122.15 mi (196.58 km).
#1 Elkhorn
Located in Monterey County at an elevation of 10 feet, this unincorporated community sits adjacent to a major estuary on Monterey Bay along the central California coast.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 36.8244000, -121.7405000 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| 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: 288 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $39.44 | $78.89 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $40.94 | $81.89 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $42.14 | $84.28 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $53.00 | $106.00 |
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