How far is Sacramento, CA from Santa Margarita, CA?
The driving distance from Sacramento, CA to Santa Margarita, CA is about 272.2 miles (438.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 225.9 miles (363.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 42m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PST.
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 21m.
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.
Census-designated place in Merced County, California
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 Margarita.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sacramento and Santa Margarita.
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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
5.7 mi · 7 min
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15
Turn left onto East Centre Street
2.7 mi · 4 min · East Centre Street
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16
Turn left
7.7 mi · 11 min
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17
Turn straight
5.3 mi · 7 min
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18
Turn left onto Webster Road
9 mi · 16 min · Webster Road
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19
Continue on Calf Canyon Highway
3.4 mi · 5 min · Calf Canyon Highway
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20
Continue on West Pozo Road
1 mi · 1 min · West Pozo Road
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21
Continue on J Street
1290 ft · 31 sec · J Street
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22
Turn slight right onto Estrada Avenue
778 ft · 25 sec · Estrada Avenue
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23
Turn left onto H Street
1802 ft · 52 sec · H Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · H Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sacramento and Santa Margarita.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Sacramento and Sunny near Santa Margarita.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sacramento to Santa Margarita?
The road trip is about 272.2 miles (438.1 km) and usually takes 05h 21m 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?
South Dos Palos is a useful midpoint, sitting about 136.1 miles from Sacramento and 136.1 miles from Santa Margarita.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 225.9 miles (363.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 46.3 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:18 AM PST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $56.12 one way or $112.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 85.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Sacramento and Sunny near Santa Margarita.
Stop Ideas Near South Dos Palos
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 South Dos Palos.
Merced station
Madera
Denair station
Fresno station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sacramento and Santa Margarita. Straight-line distance: 225.86 mi (363.49 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 Margarita
Located in inland San Luis Obispo County at an elevation of 1,010 feet, this rural community is situated between the Santa Lucia and La Panza mountain ranges near the headwaters of the Salinas River.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 35.3899700, -120.6090600 |
| Altitude | 308 |
| Country | United States |
End: Santa Margarita (-120.60906, 35.38997)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 438 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.84 | $56.12 | $112.24 |
| Mid-grade | $6.09 | $58.49 | $116.97 |
| Premium | $6.28 | $60.31 | $120.62 |
| Diesel | $8.28 | $79.58 | $159.16 |
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 · Nov 06, 2026