How far is Novato, CA from Sacramento, CA?
The driving distance from Novato, CA to Sacramento, CA is about 78 miles (125.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 66.9 miles (107.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 20m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Town in Connecticut, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Novato and Sacramento.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Novato and Sacramento.
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1
Start on Grant Avenue
38 m · 10 sec · Grant Avenue
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2
Turn right onto Redwood Boulevard
1.2 km · 1 min · Redwood Boulevard
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3
Turn right onto Atherton Avenue
3.3 mi · 6 min · Atherton Avenue
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4
Turn left onto Harbor Drive
1266 ft · 30 sec · Harbor Drive
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5
Take the ramp left toward CA 37: Vallejo
871 ft · 22 sec
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6
Merge slight left
18 mi · 23 min
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7
Take the exit slight left toward I 80
1.2 km · 2 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
8.6 mi · 10 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
27.3 mi · 31 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
8.4 mi · 10 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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11
Continue on Yolo Causeway
3.7 mi · 4 min · Yolo Causeway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Capital City Freeway
3.3 mi · 4 min · Capital City Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 North, I 5 South: Redding, Los Angeles
1053 ft · 14 sec
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 North: Redding
1052 ft · 30 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 North: Redding
1112 ft · 15 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
1 km · 44 sec · Westside Freeway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward J Street, Downtown
1300 ft · 34 sec
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18
Turn right onto J Street
822 ft · 25 sec · J Street
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19
Turn left onto 5th Street
814 ft · 19 sec · 5th Street
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20
Turn right onto H Street
1602 ft · 40 sec · H Street
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21
Turn right onto 9th Street
149 m · 15 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 Novato 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.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Keep slight left to continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
27.3 mi · 00h 31m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Novato and Sunny near Sacramento.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Novato to Sacramento?
The road trip is about 78 miles (125.6 km) and usually takes 01h 20m 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?
Fairfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 38.3 miles from Novato and 39.8 miles from Sacramento.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 66.9 miles (107.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.1 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 3:50 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.92 one way or $31.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Novato and Sunny near Sacramento.
Stop Ideas Near Fairfield
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 Fairfield.
Suisun–Fairfield station
Marine World (Seasonal), Vallejo, California
Vallejo, California
Martinez station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Novato and Sacramento. Straight-line distance: 66.85 mi (107.58 km).
#1 Novato
A city in Marin County, California.
| Population | 53,351 |
| Coordinates | 38.1074200, -122.5697000 |
| Altitude | 9 |
| 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: 126 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $15.92 | $31.84 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $16.74 | $33.48 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $17.23 | $34.46 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $20.88 | $41.77 |
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 · May 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.