How far is Sacramento, CA from San Mateo, CA?
The driving distance from Sacramento, CA to San Mateo, CA is about 104.3 miles (167.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 83.6 miles (134.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 15m 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 07m.
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.
City in Napa Valley, 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 San Mateo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sacramento and San Mateo.
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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
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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
7.2 mi · 8 min · Bayshore Freeway
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24
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown San Mateo, 3rd Avenue
141 m · 13 sec
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25
Keep slight right to continue on 3rd Avenue West, Downtown San Mateo
107 m · 9 sec
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26
Keep slight left to continue on 3rd Avenue West, Downtown San Mateo
158 m · 19 sec
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27
Turn straight onto East 3rd Avenue
1408 ft · 33 sec · East 3rd Avenue
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28
Turn left onto South Delaware Street
114 m · 12 sec · South Delaware Street
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29
Turn right onto East 4th Avenue
2266 ft · 51 sec · East 4th Avenue
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30
Turn right onto South El Camino Real
82 m · 7 sec · South El Camino Real
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South El Camino Real
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sacramento and San Mateo.
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 San Mateo.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sacramento to San Mateo?
The road trip is about 104.3 miles (167.9 km) and usually takes 02h 07m 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?
American Canyon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 52.2 miles from Sacramento and 52.2 miles from San Mateo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 83.6 miles (134.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.7 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 2:14 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.23 one way or $42.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Sacramento and Mostly Sunny near San Mateo.
Stop Ideas Near American Canyon
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 American Canyon.
Marine World (Seasonal), Vallejo, California
Vallejo, California
Martinez station
Suisun–Fairfield station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sacramento and San Mateo. Straight-line distance: 83.64 mi (134.61 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 Mateo
The second most populous city in San Mateo County, California.
| Population | 102,398 |
| Coordinates | 37.5629900, -122.3255300 |
| Altitude | 13 |
| Country | United States |
End: San Mateo (-122.32553, 37.56299)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 168 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $21.23 | $42.46 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $22.32 | $44.65 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $22.97 | $45.95 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $27.85 | $55.69 |
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 · Jun 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.