How far is Sacramento, CA from Alta Sierra, CA?
The driving distance from Sacramento, CA to Alta Sierra, CA is about 295 miles (474.8 km), with a travel time of about 05h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 254.9 miles (410.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 45m 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 05h 52m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The most populous city in Madera County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms then Rain
Rain And Snow
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sacramento and Alta Sierra.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sacramento and Alta Sierra.
-
1
Start on 9th Street
106 m · 17 sec · 9th Street
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2
Turn left onto J Street
2493 ft · 56 sec · J Street
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3
Turn right onto 15th Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · 15th Street
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4
Turn left onto X Street
122 m · 9 sec · X Street
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5
Take the ramp slight left toward I 80 East, CA 99 South: Reno, Placerville, Fresno
1287 ft · 31 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Capital City Freeway
1856 ft · 23 sec · Capital City Freeway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 Business East, CA 99 South: Reno, Fresno
1383 ft · 18 sec
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8
Take the exit slight right toward CA 99 South: Fresno
2281 ft · 34 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto South Sacramento Freeway
56.4 mi · 1 hr 5 min · South Sacramento Freeway
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10
Keep slight left
109.3 mi · 2 hr 5 min
-
11
Keep slight left
41 mi · 44 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Highway
34.9 mi · 37 min · Golden State Highway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward CA 155 east
821 ft · 23 sec
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14
Turn left onto Ellington Street
2044 ft · 39 sec · Ellington Street
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15
Turn left onto Garces Highway
1.5 mi · 2 min · Garces Highway
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16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Garces Highway
41 m · 2 sec · Garces Highway
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17
Exit the roundabout onto Garces Highway
24.9 mi · 37 min · Garces Highway
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18
Continue on Bakersfield-Glennville Road
9.9 mi · 15 min · Bakersfield-Glennville Road
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19
Continue on Evans Road
8 mi · 12 min · Evans Road
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20
Continue on Evans Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Evans Road
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21
Continue on Evans Road
3.2 mi · 5 min · Evans Road
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22
Turn right onto Old State Road
2227 ft · 1 min · Old State Road
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23
Continue on Old State Road
148 m · 21 sec · Old State Road
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Old State Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sacramento and Alta Sierra.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
South Sacramento Freeway
Keep slight left
109 mi · 02h 05m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms then Rain leaving Sacramento and Rain And Snow near Alta Sierra.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sacramento to Alta Sierra?
The road trip is about 295 miles (474.8 km) and usually takes 05h 52m 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?
Madera is a useful midpoint, sitting about 147.5 miles from Sacramento and 147.5 miles from Alta Sierra.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 254.9 miles (410.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.1 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 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:14 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $60.06 one way or $120.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 92.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms then Rain around Sacramento and Rain And Snow near Alta Sierra.
Stop Ideas Near Madera
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 Madera.
Madera
Fresno station
Merced station
Mariposa, CA
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sacramento and Alta Sierra. Straight-line distance: 254.92 mi (410.26 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Alta Sierra
Census-designated place in Nevada County, California
| Population | 7,047 |
| Coordinates | 35.7312600, -118.5539000 |
| Altitude | 1743 |
| Country | United States |
End: Alta Sierra (-118.5539, 35.73126)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 475 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $60.06 | $120.11 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $63.15 | $126.29 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $64.99 | $129.98 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $78.77 | $157.54 |
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 11, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.