How far is Sacramento, CA from Madera, CA?
The driving distance from Sacramento, CA to Madera, CA is about 147 miles (236.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 136.6 miles (219.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 44m 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 02h 52m.
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.
The third most populous city in Stanislaus County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sacramento and Madera.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sacramento and Madera.
-
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 I 80 Business East, CA 99 South: Reno, Fresno
1383 ft · 18 sec
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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
86.8 mi · 1 hr 40 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Fourth Street
723 ft · 19 sec
-
12
Turn left onto North I Street
864 ft · 25 sec · North I Street
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13
Turn left onto West 4th Street
1155 ft · 31 sec · West 4th Street
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14
Turn right onto North Gateway Drive
801 ft · 16 sec · North Gateway Drive
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Gateway Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sacramento and Madera.
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
86.8 mi · 01h 40m
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.
Sunny leaving Sacramento and Sunny near Madera.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sacramento to Madera?
The road trip is about 147 miles (236.5 km) and usually takes 02h 52m 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?
Modesto is a useful midpoint, sitting about 73.5 miles from Sacramento and 73.4 miles from Madera.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 136.6 miles (219.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.4 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 12:46 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.94 one way or $59.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Sacramento and Sunny near Madera.
Stop Ideas Near Modesto
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 Modesto.
Modesto station
Denair station
Manteca, CA
Tracy, CA
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sacramento and Madera. Straight-line distance: 136.61 mi (219.85 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 Madera
The most populous city in Madera County, California.
| Population | 66,723 |
| Coordinates | 36.9613400, -120.0607200 |
| Altitude | 83 |
| Country | United States |
End: Madera (-120.06072, 36.96134)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 237 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 50m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $29.94 | $59.88 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $31.48 | $62.97 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $32.40 | $64.80 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $39.27 | $78.55 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.