How far is Sacramento, CA from Alturas, CA?
The driving distance from Sacramento, CA to Alturas, CA is about 302.6 miles (487 km), with a travel time of about 05h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 207 miles (333.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 46m 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 53m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Sierra County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sacramento and Alturas.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sacramento and Alturas.
-
1
Start on 9th Street
106 m · 17 sec · 9th Street
-
2
Turn left onto J Street
2894 ft · 1 min · J Street
-
3
Turn left onto 16th Street
3237 ft · 1 min · 16th Street
-
4
Keep slight left to continue on 16th Street
2964 ft · 58 sec · 16th Street
-
5
Continue on North Sacramento Freeway
2.6 mi · 3 min · North Sacramento Freeway
-
6
Merge slight left onto Capital City Freeway
4.9 mi · 5 min · Capital City Freeway
-
7
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
7 mi · 8 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
-
8
Continue on Alan S. Hart Freeway
78 mi · 1 hr 30 min · Alan S. Hart Freeway
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward Donner Lake
2253 ft · 30 sec
-
10
Merge slight left onto Alan S. Hart Freeway
23.6 mi · 27 min · Alan S. Hart Freeway
-
11
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
14.5 mi · 17 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward I 580, US 395: Carson City, Susanville
888 ft · 22 sec
-
13
Keep slight left to continue on US 395: Susanville
2374 ft · 1 min
-
14
Merge slight left onto Martin Luther King Junior Memorial Highway
15.8 mi · 18 min · Martin Luther King Junior Memorial Highway
-
15
Continue on Route 395
54.9 mi · 1 hr 3 min · Route 395
-
16
Turn right onto Standish Buntingville Road
8.5 mi · 13 min · Standish Buntingville Road
-
17
Turn right onto Route 395
89.5 mi · 1 hr 42 min · Route 395
-
18
Continue on South Main Street
2529 ft · 2 min · South Main Street
-
19
Turn left onto West 3rd Street
84 m · 14 sec · West 3rd Street
-
20
Turn right onto North Howard Street
105 m · 15 sec · North Howard Street
-
21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Howard Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sacramento and Alturas.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Route 395
Turn right onto Route 395
89.5 mi · 01h 42m
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.
Sunny leaving Sacramento and Sunny near Alturas.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sacramento to Alturas?
The road trip is about 302.6 miles (487 km) and usually takes 05h 53m 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?
Loyalton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 151.3 miles from Sacramento and 151.4 miles from Alturas.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 207 miles (333.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 95.6 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 $61.61 one way or $123.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 94.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Sacramento and Sunny near Alturas.
Stop Ideas Near Loyalton
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 Loyalton.
Truckee station
Reno
Soda Springs, California
Sparks, Nevada (Train Stop)
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sacramento and Alturas. Straight-line distance: 206.96 mi (333.07 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 Alturas
City in California, USA
| Population | 2,542 |
| Coordinates | 41.4871400, -120.5434900 |
| Altitude | 1332 |
| Country | United States |
End: Alturas (-120.54349, 41.48714)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 487 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $61.61 | $123.23 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $64.78 | $129.57 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $66.68 | $133.35 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $80.82 | $161.63 |
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 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.