How far is Sacramento, CA from Santa Clara, CA?
The driving distance from Sacramento, CA to Santa Clara, CA is about 116.6 miles (187.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 88.4 miles (142.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 42m 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 21m.
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 Solano County, California, United States
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 Santa Clara.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sacramento and Santa Clara.
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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
37.2 mi · 43 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 680: Benicia, San Jose
3211 ft · 1 min
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10
Continue on Luther E Gibson Freeway
12.4 mi · 14 min · Luther E Gibson Freeway
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11
Continue on Benicia-Martinez Bridge
8 mi · 9 min · Benicia-Martinez Bridge
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
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13
Continue on Donald D Doyle Highway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Donald D Doyle Highway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Donald D Doyle Highway
31 mi · 36 min · Donald D Doyle Highway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward CA 262
866 ft · 21 sec
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16
Keep slight right to continue on CA 262: Northwestern Polytechnic University, Warm Springs District
1597 ft · 39 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Mission Boulevard
1.5 mi · 2 min · Mission Boulevard
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18
Merge slight left onto Nimitz Freeway
5.1 mi · 6 min · Nimitz Freeway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Montague Expressway
760 ft · 19 sec
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Montague Expressway West
1370 ft · 33 sec
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21
Merge slight left onto Montague Expressway
1 km · 1 min · Montague Expressway
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22
Turn left onto East Trimble Road
1.1 km · 1 min · East Trimble Road
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23
Continue on West Trimble Road
1.3 km · 1 min · West Trimble Road
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24
Continue on De La Cruz Boulevard
1.5 mi · 3 min · De La Cruz Boulevard
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25
Keep slight right to continue on De La Cruz Boulevard
1241 ft · 21 sec · De La Cruz Boulevard
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26
Turn slight right onto Civic Center, El Camino Real
721 ft · 27 sec
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27
Turn left onto El Camino Real
3163 ft · 1 min · El Camino Real
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28
Turn right onto Lincoln Street
643 ft · 18 sec · Lincoln Street
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Lincoln Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sacramento and Santa Clara.
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
37.2 mi · 00h 43m
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 Santa Clara.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sacramento to Santa Clara?
The road trip is about 116.6 miles (187.6 km) and usually takes 02h 21m 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?
Benicia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 58.3 miles from Sacramento and 58.3 miles from Santa Clara.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 88.4 miles (142.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.2 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 1:48 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.71 one way or $47.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 36.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Sacramento and Sunny near Santa Clara.
Stop Ideas Near Benicia
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
BikeLink : Richmond City Hall
El Cerrito City Hall
Old Maple Hall
BikeLink eLockers: El Cerrito City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Benicia.
Martinez station
Marine World (Seasonal), Vallejo, California
Vallejo, California
Richmond station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sacramento and Santa Clara. Straight-line distance: 88.45 mi (142.34 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 Santa Clara
The third most populous city in Santa Clara County, California.
| Population | 131,055 |
| Coordinates | 37.3541100, -121.9552400 |
| Altitude | 23 |
| Country | United States |
End: Santa Clara (-121.95524, 37.35411)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 188 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $23.71 | $47.42 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $24.93 | $49.86 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $25.66 | $51.32 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $31.10 | $62.20 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.