How far is Sacramento, CA from Mammoth Lakes, CA?
The driving distance from Sacramento, CA to Mammoth Lakes, CA is about 235.9 miles (379.7 km), with a travel time of about 05h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 151.5 miles (243.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 11m 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 05h 05m.
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.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sacramento and Mammoth Lakes.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sacramento and Mammoth Lakes.
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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 left to continue on El Dorado Freeway
60.4 mi · 1 hr 12 min · El Dorado Freeway
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8
Continue straight
32.7 mi · 45 min
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9
Continue straight
1795 ft · 34 sec
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10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
10 m · 2 sec
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11
Exit the roundabout
17 mi · 23 min
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12
Turn right
11.2 mi · 16 min
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13
Turn left
17.6 mi · 25 min
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14
Turn right onto Route 395
39.8 mi · 51 min · Route 395
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15
Turn left onto Emigrant Street
2635 ft · 42 sec · Emigrant Street
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16
At the end of the road, turn right onto Sinclair Street
549 ft · 14 sec · Sinclair Street
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17
Turn left onto Main Street
43.8 mi · 53 min · Main Street
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18
Continue straight
6.6 mi · 8 min
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19
Take the exit slight right
1639 ft · 22 sec
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20
Keep slight right
53 m · 3 sec
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21
Turn straight
3.1 mi · 5 min
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22
Turn right
70 m · 19 sec
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23
Turn right
90 m · 22 sec
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sacramento and Mammoth Lakes.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
El Dorado Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on El Dorado Freeway
60.4 mi · 01h 12m
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 Mostly Sunny near Mammoth Lakes.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sacramento to Mammoth Lakes?
The road trip is about 235.9 miles (379.7 km) and usually takes 05h 05m 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?
South Lake Tahoe is a useful midpoint, sitting about 117.9 miles from Sacramento and 118.1 miles from Mammoth Lakes.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 151.5 miles (243.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 84.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:48 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $48.06 one way or $96.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 74 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Sacramento and Mostly Sunny near Mammoth Lakes.
Stop Ideas Near South Lake Tahoe
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 South Lake Tahoe.
South Lake Tahoe, California
Stateline Transit Center, California
Stateline, NV
Truckee station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sacramento and Mammoth Lakes. Straight-line distance: 151.51 mi (243.83 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 Mammoth Lakes
Town in Mono County, California, United States
| Population | 8,317 |
| Coordinates | 37.6485500, -118.9720800 |
| Altitude | 2402 |
| Country | United States |
End: Mammoth Lakes (-118.97208, 37.64855)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 380 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 56m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $48.06 | $96.11 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $50.53 | $101.06 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $52.00 | $104.01 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $63.03 | $126.07 |
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 · May 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.