How far is Sacramento, CA from Alta Sierra, CA?
The driving distance from Sacramento, CA to Alta Sierra, CA is about 52.4 miles (84.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 45.4 miles (73 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 14m 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 07m.
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.
City in California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Cloudy
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.
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1
Start on 9th Street
106 m · 17 sec · 9th Street
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2
Turn left onto J Street
2894 ft · 1 min · J Street
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3
Turn left onto 16th Street
3237 ft · 1 min · 16th Street
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4
Keep slight left to continue on 16th Street
2964 ft · 58 sec · 16th Street
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5
Continue on North Sacramento Freeway
2.6 mi · 3 min · North Sacramento Freeway
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6
Merge slight left onto Capital City Freeway
4.9 mi · 5 min · Capital City Freeway
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7
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
7 mi · 8 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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8
Continue on Alan S. Hart Freeway
16.9 mi · 19 min · Alan S. Hart Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward CA 49 North: Grass Valley, Placerville
943 ft · 31 sec
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10
Turn left onto Grass Valley Highway
5.8 mi · 9 min · Grass Valley Highway
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11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Grass Valley Highway
36 m · 3 sec · Grass Valley Highway
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12
Exit the roundabout onto Grass Valley Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Grass Valley Highway
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Grass Valley Highway
36 m · 3 sec · Grass Valley Highway
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14
Exit the roundabout onto Grass Valley Highway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Grass Valley Highway
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15
Continue on State Highway 49
9.2 mi · 12 min · State Highway 49
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16
Turn right onto Alta Sierra Drive
1.3 km · 1 min · Alta Sierra Drive
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17
Continue on Alta Sierra Drive
3123 ft · 1 min · Alta Sierra Drive
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18
Turn left onto Francis Drive
105 m · 16 sec · Francis Drive
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19
Turn right onto Upper Circle Drive
767 ft · 34 sec · Upper Circle Drive
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Upper Circle Drive
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.
Alan S. Hart Freeway
Continue on Alan S. Hart Freeway
16.9 mi · 00h 19m
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.
Partly Cloudy leaving Sacramento and Partly Cloudy 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 52.4 miles (84.3 km) and usually takes 01h 07m 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?
Loomis is a useful midpoint, sitting about 26.2 miles from Sacramento and 26.2 miles from Alta Sierra.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 45.4 miles (73 km), while the road route adds roughly 7 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 4:16 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.67 one way or $21.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Sacramento and Partly Cloudy near Alta Sierra.
Stop Ideas Near Loomis
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Citrus Heights City Hall
City of Folsom Solid Waste
Sunrise Recreation and Park District
Roseville Police Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Loomis.
Rocklin
Roseville station
Auburn
Placerville, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sacramento and Alta Sierra. Straight-line distance: 45.37 mi (73.02 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
Alta Sierra is a place in California, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 39.1415600, -121.0538400 |
| Altitude | 704 |
| Country | United States |
End: Alta Sierra (-121.05384, 39.14156)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 84 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $10.67 | $21.35 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $11.22 | $22.44 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $11.55 | $23.10 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $14.00 | $28.00 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.