How far is Madera, CA from Sacramento, CA?

The driving distance from Madera, CA to Sacramento, CA is about 151.4 miles (243.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 29m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 136.6 miles (219.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 59m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
151.4 mi
02h 29m
Flight
136.61 mi
219.85 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Madera.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
136.61 mi
Kilometers
219.85 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
151.4 mi
Kilometers
243.66 km
Drive Time
02h 29m

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 29m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sacramento
Thu, Apr 16, 7:53 AM PDT
Return by in Madera
Thu, Apr 16, 10:23 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Madera
2026-04-16T05:23
Arrive Sacramento
Thu, Apr 16, 7:53 AM PDT
Route Timing
02h 29m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:30 AM to 12:30 PM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:30 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Madera
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Modesto
CA

The third most populous city in Stanislaus County, California.

From Madera
73.5 mi
01h 14m
To Sacramento
77.9 mi
01h 14m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
70°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph NW
Destination
67°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
6 to 16 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Madera and Sacramento.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Madera and Sacramento.

  1. 1

    Start on North Gateway Drive

    801 ft · 18 sec · North Gateway Drive

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West 4th Street

    805 ft · 26 sec · West 4th Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North H Street

    848 ft · 17 sec · North H Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight left

    940 ft · 23 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    11.2 mi · 13 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on Northbound California State Route 99

    84.6 mi · 1 hr 38 min · Northbound California State Route 99

  7. 7

    Continue on Golden State Highway

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Golden State Highway

  8. 8

    Continue on Old U.S. Route 99E

    1.3 mi · 1 min · Old U.S. Route 99E

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    44.7 mi · 52 min

  10. 10

    Continue on Capital City Freeway

    2593 ft · 32 sec · Capital City Freeway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward N Street

    1261 ft · 33 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left onto 30th Street

    858 ft · 24 sec · 30th Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto L Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · L Street

  14. 14

    Turn right onto 16th Street

    1265 ft · 33 sec · 16th Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto I Street

    2891 ft · 1 min · I Street

  16. 16

    Turn left onto 9th Street

    22 m · 2 sec · 9th Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 9th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Madera and Sacramento.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
17 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Northbound California State Route 99
84.6 mi · 56%
Old U.S. Route 99E
46 mi · 30%
North H Street
11.6 mi · 8%
Golden State Highway
1.77 mi · 1%
L Street
1.07 mi · 1%
I Street
0.55 mi
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 29m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14.8 mi
136.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Modesto
01h 14m from Madera
Leave By
1:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Madera and Sunny near Sacramento.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Madera to Sacramento?

The road trip is about 151.4 miles (243.7 km) and usually takes 02h 29m 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?

Modesto is a useful midpoint, sitting about 73.5 miles from Madera and 77.9 miles from Sacramento.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 136.6 miles (219.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:30 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.81 one way or $61.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Madera and Sunny near Sacramento.

Stop Ideas Near Modesto

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Modesto, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Modesto.

RAIL

Modesto station

8 mi away
1700 Held Drive
RAIL

Denair station

21 mi away
3800 Santa Fe Avenue
RAIL

Manteca, CA

29 mi away
17800 Shideler Parkway
RAIL

Tracy, CA

39 mi away
4800 Tracy Boulevard

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Madera and Sacramento. Straight-line distance: 136.61 mi (219.85 km).

Madera

#1 Madera

The most populous city in Madera County, California.

Population66,723
Coordinates36.9613400, -120.0607200
Altitude83
CountryUnited States
Sacramento

#2 Sacramento

The sixth most populous city in California and the center of the Sacramento metropolitan area.

Population512,838
Coordinates38.5815700, -121.4944000
Altitude9
CountryUnited States
Start: North Gateway Drive (-120.060678, 36.961369)
End: 9th Street (-121.49442, 38.581575)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 244 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 02m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 47m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 01m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 31m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 09m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 53m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.34 gal
20.22 L · about $30.81
Round trip
$61.61
10.68 gal · 40.44 L
Estimated CO2
47.5 kg one way
Round trip: 94.9 kg / 209 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $30.81 $61.61
Mid-grade $6.07 $32.39 $64.78
Premium $6.24 $33.34 $66.68
Diesel $7.57 $40.41 $80.82

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Madera and Sacramento. The current time is 05:23:51.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.