How far is Sacramento, CA from Cottonwood, CA?

The driving distance from Sacramento, CA to Cottonwood, CA is about 32.1 miles (51.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 47m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 26.3 miles (42.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 35m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
32.12 mi
00h 47m
Flight
26.27 mi
42.28 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Sacramento.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
26.27 mi
Kilometers
42.28 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
32.12 mi
Kilometers
51.69 km
Drive Time
00h 47m

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 00h 47m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cottonwood
Sat, Apr 18, 10:17 PM PDT
Return by in Sacramento
Sat, Apr 18, 11:05 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sacramento
2026-04-18T21:29
Arrive Cottonwood
Sat, Apr 18, 10:17 PM PDT
Route Timing
00h 47m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:48 AM to 10:48 AM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:54 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Sacramento
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Woodland
CA

The most populous city in Yolo County, California.

From Sacramento
16 mi
00h 23m
To Cottonwood
16.1 mi
00h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
76°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 mph SSW
Destination
75°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
2 to 6 mph NNE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Sacramento and Cottonwood.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sacramento and Cottonwood.

  1. 1

    Start on 9th Street

    106 m · 17 sec · 9th Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto J Street

    124 m · 14 sec · J Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto 10th Street

    128 m · 19 sec · 10th Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto I Street

    2081 ft · 45 sec · I Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 5 North, CA 99 North: Redding, Yuba City

    2290 ft · 56 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway

    5.6 mi · 7 min · Westside Freeway

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on Westside Freeway

    11.2 mi · 13 min · Westside Freeway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 113 South: Main Street, Woodland

    1457 ft · 40 sec

  9. 9

    Continue on East Main Street

    3.1 mi · 8 min · East Main Street

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    9.2 mi · 13 min

  11. 11

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward the route

    71 m · 4 sec

  12. 12

    Exit the roundabout

    48 m · 4 sec

  13. 13

    Continue on County Road 89

    1.6 mi · 4 min · County Road 89

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · County Road 89

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Sacramento and Cottonwood.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
14 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
43.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Westside Freeway
16.8 mi · 52%
East Main Street
12.4 mi · 38%
County Road 89
1.61 mi · 5%
I 5 North
0.43 mi · 1%
I Street
0.39 mi · 1%
CA 113 South
0.28 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Westside Freeway

Keep slight left to continue on Westside Freeway

11.2 mi · 00h 13m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 47m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5.8 mi
26.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Woodland
00h 23m from Sacramento
Leave By
4:54 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Sacramento and Mostly Sunny near Cottonwood.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Sacramento to Cottonwood?

The road trip is about 32.1 miles (51.7 km) and usually takes 00h 47m 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?

Woodland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16 miles from Sacramento and 16.1 miles from Cottonwood.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 26.3 miles (42.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.8 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 4:54 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.52 one way or $13.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Sacramento and Mostly Sunny near Cottonwood.

Stop Ideas Near Woodland

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Woodland and the surrounding midpoint area.
North Point Park
Scenic stop 13.5 mi away

North Point Park

Sacramento , CA
Sacramento, CA 95838, United States
Rating 4.1/5 86 reviews Park
Sacramento City Hall
Meeting point 13.2 mi away

Sacramento City Hall

Sacramento , CA
915 I St, Sacramento, CA 95814, United States
Rating 4.2/5 34 reviews City or town hall,City government office
Vulcan Materials Company
Nearby stop 12.8 mi away

Vulcan Materials Company

Madison , CA
30288 CA-16, Madison, CA 95653, United States
Rating 4.3/5 7 reviews Building materials supplier
City of Sacramento
Scenic stop 12.7 mi away

City of Sacramento

Sacramento , CA
Sacramento, CA 95814, United States
Rating 4.4/5 18 reviews Parking lot

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Woodland.

RAIL

Davis station

15 mi away
840 Second Street
RAIL

Sacramento Valley Station

26 mi away
401 I Street
BUS

Sacramento (State Capitol), California

27 mi away
1389 10th Street
BUS

Elk Grove, California

38 mi away
Harbor Point Drive at Renwick Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sacramento and Cottonwood. Straight-line distance: 26.27 mi (42.28 km).

Sacramento

#1 Sacramento

The sixth most populous city in California and the center of the Sacramento metropolitan area.

Population512,838
Coordinates38.5815700, -121.4944000
Altitude9
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Cottonwood

Ghost town in Yolo County, California

Population3,850
Coordinates38.6582400, -121.9710800
Altitude50
CountryUnited States
Start: Sacramento (-121.4944, 38.58157)
End: Cottonwood (-121.97108, 38.65824)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 52 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 04m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 48m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 38m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 32m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 27m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 24m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.13 gal
4.29 L · about $6.52
Round trip
$13.04
2.26 gal · 8.58 L
Estimated CO2
10 kg one way
Round trip: 20.1 kg / 44 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $6.52 $13.04
Mid-grade $6.07 $6.85 $13.71
Premium $6.24 $7.05 $14.11
Diesel $7.57 $8.55 $17.10

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Sacramento and Cottonwood. The current time is 21:29:59.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.