How far is Lucerne, CA from Sacramento, CA?
The driving distance from Lucerne, CA to Sacramento, CA is about 224.4 miles (361.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 182.2 miles (293.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 27m 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 43m.
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.
City in California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lucerne and Sacramento.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lucerne and Sacramento.
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1
Start on Elder Avenue
2801 ft · 2 min · Elder Avenue
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2
Turn left onto North 11th Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · North 11th Avenue
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3
Turn right onto Excelsior Avenue
1 mi · 3 min · Excelsior Avenue
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4
Turn left onto Central Valley Highway
3 mi · 4 min · Central Valley Highway
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5
Continue on South Highland Avenue
2.1 mi · 3 min · South Highland Avenue
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6
Continue on South Highland Avenue
7 mi · 10 min · South Highland Avenue
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7
Take the ramp slight right toward CA 99 North
1144 ft · 28 sec
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8
Merge slight left
25.9 mi · 29 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward Avenue 7
2522 ft · 31 sec
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10
Merge slight left
21.4 mi · 24 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Northbound California State Route 99
84.6 mi · 1 hr 38 min · Northbound California State Route 99
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12
Continue on Golden State Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Golden State Highway
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13
Continue on Old U.S. Route 99E
1.3 mi · 1 min · Old U.S. Route 99E
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14
Keep slight left
44.7 mi · 52 min
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15
Continue on Capital City Freeway
2593 ft · 32 sec · Capital City Freeway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward N Street
1261 ft · 33 sec
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17
Turn left onto 30th Street
858 ft · 24 sec · 30th Street
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18
Turn left onto L Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · L Street
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19
Turn right onto 16th Street
1265 ft · 33 sec · 16th Street
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20
Turn left onto I Street
2891 ft · 1 min · I Street
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21
Turn left onto 9th Street
22 m · 2 sec · 9th Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 9th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lucerne and Sacramento.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Northbound California State Route 99
Keep slight right to continue on Northbound California State Route 99
84.6 mi · 01h 38m
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 Lucerne and Chance Light Rain near Sacramento.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lucerne to Sacramento?
The road trip is about 224.4 miles (361.2 km) and usually takes 03h 43m 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?
Livingston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 98.9 miles from Lucerne and 125.5 miles from Sacramento.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 182.2 miles (293.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.2 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 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:32 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $45.69 one way or $91.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 70.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Lucerne and Chance Light Rain near Sacramento.
Stop Ideas Near Livingston
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 Livingston.
Denair station
Merced station
Modesto station
Manteca, CA
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lucerne and Sacramento. Straight-line distance: 182.17 mi (293.18 km).
#1 Lucerne
Census-designated place in Lake County, California
| Population | 3,443 |
| Coordinates | 36.3807800, -119.6643000 |
| Altitude | 79 |
| 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: 361 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $45.69 | $91.38 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $48.04 | $96.09 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $49.44 | $98.89 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $59.93 | $119.86 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.