How far is Sacramento, CA from San Rafael, CA?
The driving distance from Sacramento, CA to San Rafael, CA is about 83.5 miles (134.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 70.2 miles (113 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 22m 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 01h 41m.
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.
Town in Connecticut, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sacramento and San Rafael.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sacramento and San Rafael.
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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
44.3 mi · 51 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward CA 37
3255 ft · 50 sec
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10
Merge slight left
21 mi · 26 min
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11
Keep slight left
2492 ft · 35 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Redwood Highway
7.3 mi · 9 min · Redwood Highway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Central San Rafael
1180 ft · 31 sec
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14
Continue on Hetherton Street
594 ft · 18 sec · Hetherton Street
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15
Turn right onto Fourth Street
2665 ft · 1 min · Fourth Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Fourth Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sacramento and San Rafael.
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
44.3 mi · 00h 51m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Sacramento and Mostly Sunny near San Rafael.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sacramento to San Rafael?
The road trip is about 83.5 miles (134.3 km) and usually takes 01h 41m 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?
Fairfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 41.7 miles from Sacramento and 41.8 miles from San Rafael.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 70.2 miles (113 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.3 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 3:08 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.96 one way or $33.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 26.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Sacramento and Mostly Sunny near San Rafael.
Stop Ideas Near Fairfield
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 Fairfield.
Suisun–Fairfield station
Marine World (Seasonal), Vallejo, California
Vallejo, California
Martinez station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sacramento and San Rafael. Straight-line distance: 70.19 mi (112.96 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 Rafael
The most populous city in Marin County, California.
| Population | 58,528 |
| Coordinates | 37.9735300, -122.5310900 |
| Altitude | 13 |
| Country | United States |
End: San Rafael (-122.53109, 37.97353)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 134 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $16.96 | $33.92 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $17.83 | $35.67 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $18.35 | $36.71 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $22.25 | $44.49 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.