How far is Sacramento, CA from Malibu, CA?
The driving distance from Sacramento, CA to Malibu, CA is about 398.2 miles (640.9 km), with a travel time of about 07h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 349.1 miles (561.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 14h 49m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 07h 24m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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 Kings County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Rain
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sacramento and Malibu.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sacramento and Malibu.
-
1
Start on 9th Street
2904 ft · 2 min · 9th Street
-
2
Turn right onto P Street
2746 ft · 1 min · P Street
-
3
Take the ramp straight toward US 50, I 5 South: South Lake Tahoe, San Francisco, Los Angeles
1146 ft · 17 sec
-
4
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 South: Los Angeles
2877 ft · 38 sec
-
5
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
59.4 mi · 1 hr 6 min · Westside Freeway
-
6
Keep slight left to continue on Westside Freeway
1.2 km · 49 sec · Westside Freeway
-
7
Keep slight left to continue on Westside Freeway
236.6 mi · 4 hr 14 min · Westside Freeway
-
8
Keep slight right
58.4 mi · 1 hr 7 min
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Golden State Freeway
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on I 405 South
1354 ft · 18 sec
-
11
Keep slight right
9 mi · 10 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward US 101 South, US 101 North: Los Angeles, Ventura
541 ft · 13 sec
-
13
Keep slight right to continue on US 101 North: Ventura, Ventura Freeway
819 ft · 20 sec
-
14
Merge slight left onto Ventura Freeway
13.4 mi · 16 min · Ventura Freeway
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward Las Virgenes Road, Malibu Canyon
794 ft · 21 sec
-
16
Turn left onto Las Virgenes Road
5 mi · 9 min · Las Virgenes Road
-
17
Continue on Malibu Canyon Road
4.6 mi · 7 min · Malibu Canyon Road
-
18
Turn right onto Pacific Coast Highway
4.5 mi · 7 min · Pacific Coast Highway
-
19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Pacific Coast Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sacramento and Malibu.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Westside Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on Westside Freeway
237 mi · 04h 14m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Chance Light Rain leaving Sacramento and Mostly Sunny near Malibu.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sacramento to Malibu?
The road trip is about 398.2 miles (640.9 km) and usually takes 07h 24m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Avenal is a useful midpoint, sitting about 199.3 miles from Sacramento and 199 miles from Malibu.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 349.1 miles (561.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.1 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 7:30 AM PDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $81.05 one way or $162.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 124.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around Sacramento and Mostly Sunny near Malibu.
Stop Ideas Near Avenal
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 Avenal.
Kettleman City, California
Lemoore, California
Lemoore (Naval Air Station), California
Corcoran station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sacramento and Malibu. Straight-line distance: 349.12 mi (561.86 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 Malibu
City in Los Angeles County, California, United States
| Population | 11,519 |
| Coordinates | 34.0257700, -118.7804000 |
| Altitude | 32 |
| Country | United States |
End: Malibu (-118.7804, 34.02577)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 641 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 13h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $81.05 | $162.11 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $85.23 | $170.45 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $87.71 | $175.43 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $106.32 | $212.63 |
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 · Apr 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.