How far is Los Angeles, CA from Sacramento, CA?
Fastest route
The distance between Los Angeles, California, and Sacramento, California is approximately 385 miles (619 kilometers). The fastest route is via I-5 N, and the estimated travel time is 5 hours and 56 minutes.
Directions
- Head northwest on W 1st St toward N Spring St. (ðŸ§)
- Slight right to stay on W 1st St.
- Slight right onto Glendale Blvd, which will continue onto Glendale Fwy.
- Use the right 2 lanes to turn right to merge onto I-5 N/Golden State Fwy toward Sacramento. (🚘)
- Follow I-5 N towards Sacramento. Parts of this road may be closed at certain times or days.
- Keep left at the fork to continue on I-5 N. (🚘)
- Keep right at the fork to stay on I-5 N, following signs for Stockton/Sacramento. Take exit 519B for J St toward Downtown. (🚘)
Tips & Suggestions
- 🧠Plan your trip and familiarize yourself with the directions in advance.
- 🚘 Check for any road closures or construction updates along the way.
- ⛽ Make sure your vehicle has enough fuel for the journey.
- ☕ Take breaks during the long drive to stay refreshed and alert.
- 🚦 Observe traffic rules and be patient, especially during busy periods.
- 📱 Use navigation apps or GPS devices to assist you during the trip.
- 🚗 Consider carpooling or using public transportation if available to reduce travel time and environmental impact.
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 06h 03m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Small city in Fresno County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny then Light Rain Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Los Angeles and Sacramento.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles and Sacramento.
-
1
Start on West 1st Street
761 ft · 34 sec · West 1st Street
-
2
Turn right onto North Broadway
1959 ft · 55 sec · North Broadway
-
3
Take the ramp right toward US 101 North, CA 110
1234 ft · 30 sec
-
4
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
1.1 km · 55 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
-
5
Continue on Hollywood Freeway
15.5 mi · 20 min · Hollywood Freeway
-
6
Keep slight left
1.4 km · 59 sec
-
7
Merge slight left onto Golden State Freeway
4.5 mi · 5 min · Golden State Freeway
-
8
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Golden State Freeway
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
1.5 mi · 2 min
-
10
Keep slight left
36.1 mi · 42 min
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
22.3 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on Westside Freeway
225.6 mi · 4 hr 2 min · Westside Freeway
-
13
Keep slight right to continue on Westside Freeway
25.5 mi · 28 min · Westside Freeway
-
14
Keep left to continue on Westside Freeway
47.5 mi · 53 min · Westside Freeway
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward J Street, Downtown
1300 ft · 34 sec
-
16
Turn right onto J Street
822 ft · 25 sec · J Street
-
17
Turn left onto 5th Street
814 ft · 19 sec · 5th Street
-
18
Turn right onto H Street
1602 ft · 40 sec · H Street
-
19
Turn right onto 9th Street
149 m · 15 sec · 9th Street
-
20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 9th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Los Angeles and Sacramento.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Westside Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on Westside Freeway
226 mi · 04h 02m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Sunny leaving Los Angeles and Partly Sunny then Light Rain Likely near Sacramento.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Los Angeles to Sacramento?
The road trip is about 384.7 miles (619.1 km) and usually takes 06h 03m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Huron is a useful midpoint, sitting about 192.2 miles from Los Angeles and 192.5 miles from Sacramento.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 361.5 miles (581.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.2 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 7:30 AM PDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $78.29 one way or $156.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 120.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Los Angeles and Partly Sunny then Light Rain Likely near Sacramento.
Stop Ideas Near Huron
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 Huron.
Lemoore (Naval Air Station), California
Kettleman City, California
Lemoore, California
Hanford station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Los Angeles and Sacramento. Straight-line distance: 361.44 mi (581.68 km).
#1 Los Angeles
The second most populous city in the United States and the center of the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
| Population | 3,970,219 |
| Coordinates | 34.0522300, -118.2436800 |
| Altitude | 89 |
| 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: 619 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 12h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $78.29 | $156.57 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $82.32 | $164.63 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $84.72 | $169.44 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $102.68 | $205.37 |
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 · Apr 20, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.