How far is Pasadena, CA from Sacramento, CA?
Fastest route
The journey from Pasadena, California, USA to Sacramento, California, USA takes approximately 5 hours and 32 minutes, covering a distance of 385 miles via I-5 N.
Directions
- Get on CA-710 from E Walnut St.
- Head east on E Holly St toward Garfield Ave.
- Turn left onto Garfield Ave.
- Turn left onto E Walnut St.
- Turn right onto the ramp to I-210 W/San Fernando.
- Follow I-5 N to J St in Sacramento. Take exit 519B from I-5 N.
- Continue on J St. Drive to 9th St.
Tips & Suggestions
- 🚗 Take CA-710 from E Walnut St to join the freeway.
- 🔄 Merge onto I-5 N and follow the signs for San Francisco/Sacramento.
- 🛣️ Keep right at the fork to stay on I-5 N, following the signs for Stockton/Sacramento.
- ⚠️ Be aware that parts of the road may be closed at certain times or days, so plan accordingly.
- 📍 Use the 2nd from the right lane to take exit 1A for I-5 N/Golden State Fwy toward Sacramento.
- ⚠️ Note that the Interstate 5 Truck Route N may have closures at certain times or days.
- 🏢 When you reach Sacramento, continue on J St and drive to 9th St.
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 02m.
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
Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Pasadena and Sacramento.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pasadena and Sacramento.
-
1
Start on East Holly Street
22 m · 5 sec · East Holly Street
-
2
Turn right onto North Garfield Avenue
658 ft · 24 sec · North Garfield Avenue
-
3
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Colorado Boulevard
1.6 km · 2 min · East Colorado Boulevard
-
4
Take the ramp straight toward CA 134 West: Ventura
1407 ft · 34 sec
-
5
Merge slight left onto Ventura Freeway
5 mi · 6 min · Ventura Freeway
-
6
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Ventura Freeway
-
7
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
2776 ft · 36 sec · Ventura Freeway
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 5: Golden State Freeway, Los Angeles, Sacramento
1862 ft · 24 sec
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 North, CA 134 West: Golden State Freeway, Sacramento, Ventura Freeway, Ventura, Zoo Drive
98 m · 4 sec
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 North: Golden State Freeway, Sacramento
2550 ft · 33 sec
-
11
Merge slight right onto Golden State Freeway
14.4 mi · 17 min · Golden State Freeway
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Golden State Freeway
-
13
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
1.5 mi · 2 min
-
14
Keep slight left
36.1 mi · 42 min
-
15
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
22.3 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway
-
16
Keep slight right to continue on Westside Freeway
225.6 mi · 4 hr 2 min · Westside Freeway
-
17
Keep slight right to continue on Westside Freeway
25.5 mi · 28 min · Westside Freeway
-
18
Keep left to continue on Westside Freeway
47.5 mi · 53 min · Westside Freeway
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward J Street, Downtown
1300 ft · 34 sec
-
20
Turn right onto J Street
822 ft · 25 sec · J Street
-
21
Turn left onto 5th Street
814 ft · 19 sec · 5th Street
-
22
Turn right onto H Street
1602 ft · 40 sec · H Street
-
23
Turn right onto 9th Street
149 m · 15 sec · 9th Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 9th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Pasadena 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 Pasadena 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 Pasadena to Sacramento?
The road trip is about 385.6 miles (620.5 km) and usually takes 06h 02m 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 192.6 miles from Pasadena and 192.9 miles from Sacramento.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 358.5 miles (577 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.1 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 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 $78.46 one way or $156.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 120.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Pasadena and Chance Light Rain 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 Pasadena and Sacramento. Straight-line distance: 358.52 mi (576.98 km).
#1 Pasadena
The second most populous city in Los Angeles County, California.
| Population | 141,045 |
| Coordinates | 34.1477800, -118.1445200 |
| Altitude | 263 |
| 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: 620 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 12h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $78.46 | $156.92 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $82.50 | $165.00 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $84.90 | $169.81 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $102.91 | $205.82 |
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 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.