How far is Sacramento, CA from Santa Cruz, CA?
The driving distance from Sacramento, CA to Santa Cruz, CA is about 146.3 miles (235.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 114.9 miles (184.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 54m 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 57m.
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.
Census designated place in California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Rain
Slight Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sacramento and Santa Cruz.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sacramento and Santa Cruz.
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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
12.1 mi · 14 min · Nimitz Freeway
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19
Continue straight
26.2 mi · 35 min
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20
Continue on Santa Cruz Highway
1391 ft · 22 sec · Santa Cruz Highway
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21
Merge slight left onto Cabrillo Highway
121 m · 6 sec · Cabrillo Highway
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22
Keep slight right to continue on Cabrillo Highway
1.1 mi · 2 min · Cabrillo Highway
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23
Continue on Chestnut Street Extension
1153 ft · 28 sec · Chestnut Street Extension
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24
Continue on Chestnut Street
37 m · 12 sec · Chestnut Street
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25
Turn right
16 m · 4 sec
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sacramento and Santa Cruz.
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.
Chance Light Rain leaving Sacramento and Slight Chance Light Rain near Santa Cruz.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sacramento to Santa Cruz?
The road trip is about 146.3 miles (235.5 km) and usually takes 02h 57m 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?
Alamo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 73.2 miles from Sacramento and 73.1 miles from Santa Cruz.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 114.9 miles (184.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:36 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.77 one way or $59.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around Sacramento and Slight Chance Light Rain near Santa Cruz.
Stop Ideas Near Alamo
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Frank H. Ogawa Plaza
Berkeley Community Media
Alameda County Marriage License
OAKLAND CITY HALL
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Alamo.
Oakland Coliseum station
Dublin-Pleasanton, California
Martinez station
Hayward station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sacramento and Santa Cruz. Straight-line distance: 114.86 mi (184.85 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 Cruz
The most populous city in Santa Cruz County, California.
| Population | 64,317 |
| Coordinates | 36.9741200, -122.0308000 |
| Altitude | 11 |
| Country | United States |
End: Santa Cruz (-122.0308, 36.97412)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 236 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $29.77 | $59.54 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $31.30 | $62.60 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $32.21 | $64.43 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $39.05 | $78.09 |
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.