How far is Sacramento, CA from Penn Valley, CA?

The driving distance from Sacramento, CA to Penn Valley, CA is about 63.6 miles (102.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 22m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 45.5 miles (73.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 45m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
63.59 mi
01h 22m
Flight
45.48 mi
73.19 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Sacramento.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
45.48 mi
Kilometers
73.19 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
63.59 mi
Kilometers
102.34 km
Drive Time
01h 22m

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 01h 22m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Penn Valley
Sun, May 24, 10:12 PM PDT
Return by in Sacramento
Sun, May 24, 11:35 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sacramento
2026-05-24T20:49
Arrive Penn Valley
Sun, May 24, 10:12 PM PDT
Route Timing
01h 22m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:23 AM to 11:23 AM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:44 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Sacramento
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Auburn
CA

City in California, United States

From Sacramento
31.8 mi
00h 41m
To Penn Valley
31.8 mi
00h 41m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
84°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 24 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
2 to 12 mph SSW
Destination
81°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 24 9:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Sacramento and Penn Valley.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sacramento and Penn Valley.

  1. 1

    Start on 9th Street

    106 m · 17 sec · 9th Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto J Street

    2894 ft · 1 min · J Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto 16th Street

    3237 ft · 1 min · 16th Street

  4. 4

    Keep slight left to continue on 16th Street

    2964 ft · 58 sec · 16th Street

  5. 5

    Continue on North Sacramento Freeway

    2.6 mi · 3 min · North Sacramento Freeway

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Capital City Freeway

    4.9 mi · 5 min · Capital City Freeway

  7. 7

    Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    7 mi · 8 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  8. 8

    Continue on Alan S. Hart Freeway

    16.9 mi · 19 min · Alan S. Hart Freeway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 49 North: Grass Valley, Placerville

    943 ft · 31 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Grass Valley Highway

    5.8 mi · 9 min · Grass Valley Highway

  11. 11

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Grass Valley Highway

    36 m · 3 sec · Grass Valley Highway

  12. 12

    Exit the roundabout onto Grass Valley Highway

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Grass Valley Highway

  13. 13

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Grass Valley Highway

    36 m · 3 sec · Grass Valley Highway

  14. 14

    Exit the roundabout onto Grass Valley Highway

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Grass Valley Highway

  15. 15

    Continue on State Highway 49

    14.2 mi · 19 min · State Highway 49

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right

    993 ft · 22 sec

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Eric Rood Memorial Expressway

    5.7 mi · 7 min · Eric Rood Memorial Expressway

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Penn Valley Drive

    3183 ft · 1 min · Penn Valley Drive

  19. 19

    Continue on Penn Valley Drive

    1.3 km · 1 min · Penn Valley Drive

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Horton Street

    1647 ft · 1 min · Horton Street

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Lasso Loop

    817 ft · 39 sec · Lasso Loop

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Willow Lane

    121 m · 17 sec · Willow Lane

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Willow Lane

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Sacramento and Penn Valley.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
23 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
1 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
36.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Alan S. Hart Freeway
16.9 mi · 27%
State Highway 49
14.4 mi · 23%
Grass Valley Highway
8.25 mi · 13%
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
7.05 mi · 11%
Eric Rood Memorial Expressway
5.68 mi · 9%
Capital City Freeway
4.86 mi · 8%
Longest Stretch

Alan S. Hart Freeway

Continue on Alan S. Hart Freeway

16.9 mi · 00h 19m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 22m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.1 mi
45.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Auburn
00h 41m from Sacramento
Leave By
3:44 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Sacramento and Sunny near Penn Valley.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Sacramento to Penn Valley?

The road trip is about 63.6 miles (102.3 km) and usually takes 01h 22m 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?

Auburn is a useful midpoint, sitting about 31.8 miles from Sacramento and 31.8 miles from Penn Valley.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 45.5 miles (73.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:44 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.92 one way or $25.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 19.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Sacramento and Sunny near Penn Valley.

Stop Ideas Near Auburn

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Auburn and the surrounding midpoint area.
Roseville Transit
Practical stop 13.9 mi away

Roseville Transit

Roseville , CA
316 Vernon St #150, Roseville, CA 95678, United States
Rating 3.1/5 8 reviews City government office,Transportation service,Department of Transportation,Handicapped transportation service,Public works department
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 14 mi away

Roseville City Clerk's Department

Roseville , CA
311 Vernon St, Roseville, CA 95678, United States
Rating 3.9/5 12 reviews City government office
Roseville Police Department
Nearby stop 13.9 mi away

Roseville Police Department

Roseville , CA
1051 Junction Blvd, Roseville, CA 95678, United States
Rating 3.8/5 37 reviews Police department

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Auburn.

RAIL

Auburn

1 mi away
277 Nevada St. at Fulweiler St.
RAIL

Rocklin

18 mi away
Rocklin Rd. and Railroad Ave.
RAIL

Roseville station

24 mi away
201 Pacific Street
RAIL

Colfax

25 mi away
99 Railroad St. at Church St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sacramento and Penn Valley. Straight-line distance: 45.48 mi (73.19 km).

Sacramento

#1 Sacramento

The sixth most populous city in California and the center of the Sacramento metropolitan area.

Population512,838
Coordinates38.5815700, -121.4944000
Altitude9
CountryUnited States
Penn Valley

#2 Penn Valley

Census-designated place in Nevada County, California

Population1,621
Coordinates39.1960000, -121.1910700
Altitude427
CountryUnited States
Start: Sacramento (-121.4944, 38.58157)
End: Penn Valley (-121.19107, 39.196)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 102 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 07m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 35m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 16m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 03m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 54m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 47m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.24 gal
8.49 L · about $12.92
Round trip
$25.85
4.48 gal · 16.98 L
Estimated CO2
19.9 kg one way
Round trip: 39.8 kg / 88 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $12.92 $25.85
Mid-grade $6.07 $13.59 $27.18
Premium $6.24 $13.98 $27.97
Diesel $7.57 $16.95 $33.90

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 25, 2026

There is no time difference between Sacramento and Penn Valley. The current time is 20:49:29.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.