How far is Sacramento, CA from San Carlos, CA?
The driving distance from Sacramento, CA to San Carlos, CA is about 109.1 miles (175.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 85.1 miles (137 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 26m 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 13m.
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 second most populous city in Solano County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sacramento and San Carlos.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sacramento and San Carlos.
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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 mi · 16 min · Eastshore Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight left toward San Francisco
1.3 km · 1 min · Eastshore Freeway
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14
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1941 ft · 33 sec · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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15
Turn slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1959 ft · 33 sec · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
5.5 mi · 8 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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17
Continue on Route 80
1438 ft · 24 sec · Route 80
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18
Continue on Route 80
1.2 km · 1 min · Route 80
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19
Continue on Route 80
1893 ft · 32 sec · Route 80
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20
Keep slight left to continue on US 101 South: San Jose
1488 ft · 25 sec
-
21
Merge slight right onto James Lick Freeway
4.3 mi · 6 min · James Lick Freeway
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22
Continue on Bayshore Freeway
5.2 mi · 6 min · Bayshore Freeway
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23
Keep slight left to continue on Bayshore Freeway
12.2 mi · 14 min · Bayshore Freeway
-
24
Take the exit slight right toward Holly Street, Brittan Avenue
754 ft · 18 sec
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25
Keep slight right to continue on Holly Street
941 ft · 25 sec
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26
Turn straight onto Holly Street
2038 ft · 1 min · Holly Street
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27
Turn left onto El Camino Real
681 ft · 26 sec · El Camino Real
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28
Turn right onto San Carlos Avenue
19 m · 1 sec · San Carlos Avenue
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · San Carlos Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sacramento and San Carlos.
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 Sunny near San Carlos.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sacramento to San Carlos?
The road trip is about 109.1 miles (175.6 km) and usually takes 02h 13m 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 54.6 miles from Sacramento and 54.6 miles from San Carlos.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 85.1 miles (137 km), while the road route adds roughly 24 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 2:04 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.21 one way or $44.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 34.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Sacramento and Sunny near San Carlos.
Stop Ideas Near Vallejo
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
BikeLink : Richmond City Hall
Richmond Building Inspections
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 San Carlos. Straight-line distance: 85.14 mi (137.02 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 San Carlos
City in San Mateo County, California, USA
| Population | 29,641 |
| Coordinates | 37.5071600, -122.2605200 |
| Altitude | 10 |
| Country | United States |
End: San Carlos (-122.26052, 37.50716)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 176 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 38m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $22.21 | $44.42 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $23.35 | $46.71 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $24.04 | $48.07 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $29.13 | $58.27 |
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 14, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.