How far is North Highlands, CA from Sacramento, CA?

The driving distance from North Highlands, CA to Sacramento, CA is about 11.7 miles (18.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 20m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 9.8 miles (15.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 41m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
11.69 mi
00h 20m
Flight
9.76 mi
15.71 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from North Highlands.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
9.76 mi
Kilometers
15.71 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
11.69 mi
Kilometers
18.82 km
Drive Time
00h 20m

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 00h 20m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sacramento
Sat, Apr 18, 10:24 AM PDT
Return by in North Highlands
Sat, Apr 18, 10:45 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave North Highlands
2026-04-18T10:04
Arrive Sacramento
Sat, Apr 18, 10:24 AM PDT
Route Timing
00h 20m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:21 AM to 7:21 PM PDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:48 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in North Highlands
10:00 PM PDT
Flexible departure

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Carmichael
CA

A city in Sacramento County, California.

From North Highlands
6.3 mi
00h 10m
To Sacramento
5.5 mi
00h 10m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
76°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
1 to 5 mph WSW
Destination
76°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between North Highlands and Sacramento.

  1. 1

    Start on La Cienega Drive

    881 ft · 50 sec · La Cienega Drive

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Don Julio Boulevard

    978 ft · 24 sec · Don Julio Boulevard

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Larchmont Drive

    1365 ft · 39 sec · Larchmont Drive

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Walerga Road

    1.5 km · 2 min · Walerga Road

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Hillsdale Boulevard

    1.5 km · 2 min · Hillsdale Boulevard

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Madison Avenue

    534 ft · 16 sec · Madison Avenue

  7. 7

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 80 West: Sacramento

    1343 ft · 33 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    1.1 km · 45 sec · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on Capital City Freeway

    4.9 mi · 5 min · Capital City Freeway

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on North Sacramento Freeway

    2.6 mi · 3 min · North Sacramento Freeway

  11. 11

    Continue on North 12th Street

    3108 ft · 56 sec · North 12th Street

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on 12th Street

    3262 ft · 1 min · 12th Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto I Street

    1200 ft · 31 sec · I Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto 9th Street

    22 m · 2 sec · 9th Street

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 9th Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
15 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
128.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Capital City Freeway
4.92 mi · 42%
North Sacramento Freeway
2.63 mi · 22%
Walerga Road
0.96 mi · 8%
Hillsdale Boulevard
0.95 mi · 8%
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
0.65 mi · 6%
12th Street
0.62 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

Capital City Freeway

Keep slight right to continue on Capital City Freeway

4.92 mi · 00h 05m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 20m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+1.9 mi
9.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Carmichael
00h 10m from North Highlands
Leave By
7:48 PM PDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving North Highlands and Mostly Sunny near Sacramento.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from North Highlands to Sacramento?

The road trip is about 11.7 miles (18.8 km) and usually takes 00h 20m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Carmichael is a useful midpoint, sitting about 6.3 miles from North Highlands and 5.5 miles from Sacramento.

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

The direct path is about 9.8 miles (15.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 1.9 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:48 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.37 one way or $4.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 3.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around North Highlands and Mostly Sunny near Sacramento.

Stop Ideas Near Carmichael

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Carmichael and the surrounding midpoint area.
City of Sacramento
Scenic stop 6.1 mi away

City of Sacramento

Sacramento , CA
Sacramento, CA 95814, United States
Rating 4.4/5 18 reviews Parking lot
Citrus Heights Community Center
Meeting point 7.1 mi away

Citrus Heights Community Center

Citrus Heights , CA
6300 Fountain Square Dr, Citrus Heights, CA 95621, United States
Rating 4.8/5 20 reviews Community center,City government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 6.4 mi away

City of Refuge Sacramento

Sacramento , CA
3216 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95817, United States
Rating 4.7/5 45 reviews Religious organization,Community center
Citrus Heights City Hall
Scenic stop 7.1 mi away

Citrus Heights City Hall

Citrus Heights , CA
6300 Fountain Square Dr, Citrus Heights, CA 95621, United States
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews Parking lot

Transit and Meeting Points

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

BUS

Sacramento (State Capitol), California

15 mi away
1389 10th Street
RAIL

Sacramento Valley Station

15 mi away
401 I Street
RAIL

Roseville station

15 mi away
201 Pacific Street
RAIL

Rocklin

21 mi away
Rocklin Rd. and Railroad Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between North Highlands and Sacramento. Straight-line distance: 9.76 mi (15.71 km).

North Highlands

#1 North Highlands

Census-designated place in Sacramento County, California

Population42,694
Coordinates38.6857400, -121.3721700
Altitude28
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: La Cienega Drive (-121.372172, 38.685736)
End: 9th Street (-121.49442, 38.581575)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 19 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 23m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 17m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 14m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 11m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 10m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 08m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.41 gal
1.56 L · about $2.37
Round trip
$4.73
0.82 gal · 3.12 L
Estimated CO2
3.6 kg one way
Round trip: 7.3 kg / 16 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $2.37 $4.73
Mid-grade $6.07 $2.49 $4.97
Premium $6.24 $2.56 $5.12
Diesel $7.57 $3.10 $6.20

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between North Highlands and Sacramento. The current time is 10:04:04.

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.