How far is Sacramento, CA from San Luis Obispo, CA?
The driving distance from Sacramento, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA is about 289.9 miles (466.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 232.5 miles (374.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 06m 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 33m.
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 Fresno County, California, United States of America
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 San Luis Obispo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sacramento and San Luis Obispo.
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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 right to continue on I 5 South: Los Angeles
2877 ft · 38 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
59.4 mi · 1 hr 6 min · Westside Freeway
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6
Keep slight left to continue on Westside Freeway
1.2 km · 49 sec · Westside Freeway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Westside Freeway
138.4 mi · 2 hr 28 min · Westside Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward CA 269: Lassen Avenue
1419 ft · 37 sec
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9
Turn right onto South Lassen Avenue
2081 ft · 34 sec · South Lassen Avenue
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10
Continue on Skyline Boulevard
5.6 mi · 9 min · Skyline Boulevard
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11
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Laneva Boulevard
9.3 mi · 13 min · East Laneva Boulevard
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12
Turn right
18.7 mi · 25 min
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13
Keep slight right
2.1 mi · 2 min
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14
Keep slight right
24.5 mi · 29 min
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15
Take the exit left toward US 101
940 ft · 23 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto El Camino Real
27.6 mi · 32 min · El Camino Real
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Monterey Street
747 ft · 22 sec
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18
Turn left onto Buena Vista Avenue
701 ft · 21 sec · Buena Vista Avenue
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19
Turn right onto Monterey Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Monterey Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Monterey Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sacramento and San Luis Obispo.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Westside Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on Westside Freeway
138 mi · 02h 28m
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.
Chance Light Rain leaving Sacramento and Mostly Sunny near San Luis Obispo.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sacramento to San Luis Obispo?
The road trip is about 289.9 miles (466.6 km) and usually takes 05h 33m 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?
Firebaugh is a useful midpoint, sitting about 145 miles from Sacramento and 144.8 miles from San Luis Obispo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 232.5 miles (374.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 57.4 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 5:54 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $59.02 one way or $118.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 90.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around Sacramento and Mostly Sunny near San Luis Obispo.
Stop Ideas Near Firebaugh
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 Firebaugh.
Madera
Merced station
Fresno station
Lemoore (Naval Air Station), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sacramento and San Luis Obispo. Straight-line distance: 232.54 mi (374.24 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 Luis Obispo
A city in San Luis Obispo County, California.
| Population | 47,590 |
| Coordinates | 35.2827500, -120.6596200 |
| Altitude | 71 |
| Country | United States |
End: San Luis Obispo (-120.65962, 35.28275)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 467 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $59.02 | $118.03 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $62.06 | $124.11 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $63.87 | $127.73 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $77.41 | $154.82 |
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.