How far is Sacramento, CA from Tehachapi, CA?
The driving distance from Sacramento, CA to Tehachapi, CA is about 317.3 miles (510.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 291.7 miles (469.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 59m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
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 59m.
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.
City in San Bernardino County, California, United States
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 Tehachapi.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sacramento and Tehachapi.
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1
Start on 9th Street
106 m · 17 sec · 9th Street
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2
Turn left onto J Street
2493 ft · 56 sec · J Street
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3
Turn right onto 15th Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · 15th Street
-
4
Turn left onto X Street
122 m · 9 sec · X Street
-
5
Take the ramp slight left toward I 80 East, CA 99 South: Reno, Placerville, Fresno
1287 ft · 31 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Capital City Freeway
1856 ft · 23 sec · Capital City Freeway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Capital City Freeway
1383 ft · 18 sec · Capital City Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward CA 99 South: Fresno
2281 ft · 34 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto South Sacramento Freeway
56.4 mi · 1 hr 5 min · South Sacramento Freeway
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10
Keep slight left
109.3 mi · 2 hr 5 min
-
11
Keep slight left
41 mi · 44 min
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Highway
58.6 mi · 1 hr 3 min · Golden State Highway
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13
Continue on Golden State Freeway
5.2 mi · 6 min · Golden State Freeway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
3.3 mi · 4 min · Golden State Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward CA 58 East: Stockdale, Mojave, Tehachapi
671 ft · 9 sec
-
16
Keep slight left to continue on CA 58 East: Mojave, Tehachapi
3110 ft · 41 sec
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17
Continue on Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
1711 ft · 22 sec · Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
38.4 mi · 44 min · Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Mill Street
1461 ft · 36 sec
-
20
Turn right onto North Mill Street
1751 ft · 41 sec · North Mill Street
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21
Continue on West H Street
1394 ft · 30 sec · West H Street
-
22
Turn right onto North Green Street
95 m · 10 sec · North Green Street
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23
Turn right onto West Tehachapi Boulevard
147 m · 19 sec · West Tehachapi Boulevard
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24
Turn left onto South Curry Street
14 m · 1 sec · South Curry Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Curry Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sacramento and Tehachapi.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
South Sacramento Freeway
Keep slight left
109 mi · 02h 05m
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.
Sunny leaving Sacramento and Mostly Sunny near Tehachapi.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sacramento to Tehachapi?
The road trip is about 317.3 miles (510.6 km) and usually takes 05h 59m 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?
Barstow is a useful midpoint, sitting about 158.7 miles from Sacramento and 158.6 miles from Tehachapi.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 291.7 miles (469.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.6 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 PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:00 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $64.61 one way or $129.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 99.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Sacramento and Mostly Sunny near Tehachapi.
Stop Ideas Near Barstow
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 Barstow.
Madera
Fresno station
Lemoore (Naval Air Station), California
Hanford station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sacramento and Tehachapi. Straight-line distance: 291.76 mi (469.54 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 Tehachapi
City in California
| Population | 12,746 |
| Coordinates | 35.1321900, -118.4489700 |
| Altitude | 1210 |
| Country | United States |
End: Tehachapi (-118.44897, 35.13219)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 511 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $64.61 | $129.23 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $67.94 | $135.88 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $69.92 | $139.84 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $84.75 | $169.50 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.