How far is Sacramento, CA from Palo Alto, CA?
The driving distance from Sacramento, CA to Palo Alto, CA is about 116.3 miles (187.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 86.3 miles (138.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 47m 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 23m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The second most populous city in Solano County, 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 Palo Alto.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sacramento and Palo Alto.
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1
Start on 9th Street
2904 ft · 2 min · 9th Street
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2
Turn right onto P Street
2746 ft · 1 min · P Street
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3
Take the ramp straight toward US 50, I 5 South: South Lake Tahoe, San Francisco, Los Angeles
1146 ft · 17 sec
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4
Keep slight left to continue on US 50: South Lake Tahoe, San Francisco
912 ft · 12 sec
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5
Keep slight right to continue on US 50 West: San Francisco
2188 ft · 40 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Capital City Freeway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Capital City Freeway
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7
Continue on Yolo Causeway
3.9 mi · 4 min · Yolo Causeway
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8
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
50.1 mi · 58 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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9
Continue on Carquinez Bridge
1.6 km · 1 min · Carquinez Bridge
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10
Continue on Eastshore Freeway
1847 ft · 24 sec · Eastshore Freeway
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11
Continue on Linus F. Claeys Freeway
3.4 mi · 4 min · Linus F. Claeys Freeway
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12
Continue on Eastshore Freeway
14.3 mi · 17 min · Eastshore Freeway
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Interstate Highway 80
1321 ft · 21 sec · Interstate Highway 80
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Nimitz Freeway
14.3 mi · 18 min · Nimitz Freeway
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15
Keep slight left
5.6 mi · 6 min
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16
Keep slight left
2.4 mi · 3 min
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Nimitz Freeway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Nimitz Freeway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward CA 84 West
1221 ft · 30 sec
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19
Keep slight right to continue on CA 84 West: Dumbarton Bridge
1092 ft · 27 sec
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20
Continue straight
1.3 km · 56 sec
-
21
Keep slight right
7.4 mi · 10 min
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22
Turn left onto Willow Road
1 mi · 2 min · Willow Road
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23
Take the ramp right toward US 101 South: San Jose
1127 ft · 30 sec
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24
Merge slight left onto Bayshore Freeway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Bayshore Freeway
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25
Take the exit slight right toward Embarcadero Road, Oregon Expressway
799 ft · 19 sec
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26
Keep slight right to continue on Stanford University, Embarcadero Road West
1096 ft · 27 sec
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27
Turn straight onto Embarcadero Road
1.1 mi · 3 min · Embarcadero Road
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28
Turn sharp left onto Middlefield Road
30 m · 3 sec · Middlefield Road
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Middlefield Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sacramento and Palo Alto.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
50.1 mi · 00h 58m
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 Mostly Sunny near Palo Alto.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sacramento to Palo Alto?
The road trip is about 116.3 miles (187.2 km) and usually takes 02h 23m 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?
Vallejo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 58.2 miles from Sacramento and 58.2 miles from Palo Alto.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 86.3 miles (138.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 30 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 1:42 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.71 one way or $47.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 36.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Sacramento and Mostly Sunny near Palo Alto.
Stop Ideas Near Vallejo
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
BikeLink : Richmond City Hall
Berkeley Community Media
El Cerrito City Hall
Old Maple Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Vallejo.
Vallejo, California
Marine World (Seasonal), Vallejo, California
Martinez station
Richmond station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sacramento and Palo Alto. Straight-line distance: 86.3 mi (138.88 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 Palo Alto
The most populous city in Santa Clara County, California.
| Population | 67,008 |
| Coordinates | 37.4418800, -122.1430200 |
| Altitude | 9 |
| Country | United States |
End: Palo Alto (-122.14302, 37.44188)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 187 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $23.71 | $47.42 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $24.93 | $49.86 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $25.66 | $51.32 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $31.10 | $62.20 |
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 07, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.