How far is Sacramento, CA from Lucerne, CA?
The driving distance from Sacramento, CA to Lucerne, CA is about 197.5 miles (317.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 182.2 miles (293.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 51m 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 55m.
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 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 Lucerne.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sacramento and Lucerne.
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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
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 Capital City Freeway
1383 ft · 18 sec · Capital City Freeway
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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
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11
Keep slight left
13.6 mi · 15 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward CA 43 South: Hanford, Corcoran
917 ft · 22 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on CA 43 South: Hanford, Corcoran
1784 ft · 46 sec
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14
Turn right onto Highland Avenue
855 ft · 17 sec · Highland Avenue
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15
Continue on South Highland Avenue
8.9 mi · 13 min · South Highland Avenue
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16
Continue on Central Valley Highway
3 mi · 5 min · Central Valley Highway
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17
Turn right onto Excelsior Avenue
1 mi · 3 min · Excelsior Avenue
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18
Turn left onto North 11th Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · North 11th Avenue
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19
Turn right onto Elder Avenue
2801 ft · 2 min · Elder Avenue
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Elder Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sacramento and Lucerne.
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.
Sunny leaving Sacramento and Sunny near Lucerne.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sacramento to Lucerne?
The road trip is about 197.5 miles (317.8 km) and usually takes 03h 55m 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?
Livingston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 98.7 miles from Sacramento and 98.7 miles from Lucerne.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 182.2 miles (293.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.3 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 9:08 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.21 one way or $80.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Sacramento and Sunny near Lucerne.
Stop Ideas Near Livingston
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 Livingston.
Denair station
Merced station
Modesto station
Manteca, CA
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sacramento and Lucerne. Straight-line distance: 182.17 mi (293.18 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 Lucerne
Census-designated place in Lake County, California
| Population | 3,443 |
| Coordinates | 36.3807800, -119.6643000 |
| Altitude | 79 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lucerne (-119.6643, 36.38078)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 318 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $40.21 | $80.42 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $42.28 | $84.56 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $43.51 | $87.03 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $52.74 | $105.48 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.