How far is Sacramento, CA from Chester, CA?
The driving distance from Sacramento, CA to Chester, CA is about 153.1 miles (246.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 120 miles (193.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 26m 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 03h 13m.
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.
Census-designated place in Butte County, California
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 Chester.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sacramento and Chester.
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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
124 m · 14 sec · J Street
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3
Turn left onto 10th Street
128 m · 19 sec · 10th Street
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4
Turn left onto I Street
2081 ft · 45 sec · I Street
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 5 North, CA 99 North: Redding, Yuba City
2290 ft · 56 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
5.6 mi · 7 min · Westside Freeway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Golden State Highway
7.5 mi · 9 min · Golden State Highway
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8
Continue on Bernie Richter Memorial Highway
5 mi · 6 min · Bernie Richter Memorial Highway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on CA 70 North: Marysville, Oroville
21.7 mi · 26 min
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10
Turn right onto 5th Street
1272 ft · 39 sec · 5th Street
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11
Turn left onto B Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · B Street
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12
Continue straight
30.3 mi · 35 min
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13
Keep slight left
5.7 mi · 7 min
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14
Merge slight left
9.5 mi · 11 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward CA 32: Orland, Chester
857 ft · 15 sec
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16
Turn right onto Deer Creek Highway
52.3 mi · 1 hr 10 min · Deer Creek Highway
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17
At the end of the road, turn right onto State Highway 36 East
12.6 mi · 18 min · State Highway 36 East
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18
Turn right onto Aspen Street
8 m · 1 sec · Aspen Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Aspen Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sacramento and Chester.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Deer Creek Highway
Turn right onto Deer Creek Highway
52.3 mi · 01h 10m
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 Chester.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sacramento to Chester?
The road trip is about 153.1 miles (246.4 km) and usually takes 03h 13m 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?
Thermalito is a useful midpoint, sitting about 76.5 miles from Sacramento and 76.6 miles from Chester.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 120 miles (193.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.1 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 10:34 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.81 one way or $67.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Sacramento and Sunny near Chester.
Stop Ideas Near Thermalito
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 Thermalito.
Oroville, California
Chico station
Marysville, California
Grass Valley, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sacramento and Chester. Straight-line distance: 119.99 mi (193.1 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 Chester
Situated in northeastern California at an elevation of 4,534 feet, this Plumas County town lies on the northwestern shore of Lake Almanor.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 40.3062700, -121.2319100 |
| Altitude | 1382 |
| Country | United States |
End: Chester (-121.23191, 40.30627)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 246 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $33.81 | $67.62 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $35.09 | $70.19 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $36.12 | $72.24 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $45.43 | $90.86 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026