How far is Sacramento, CA from Thornton, CA?
The driving distance from Sacramento, CA to Thornton, CA is about 26.9 miles (43.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 24.9 miles (40 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 31m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
A city located in Orange County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sacramento and Thornton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sacramento and Thornton.
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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
24.4 mi · 27 min · Westside Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward Walnut Grove Road
1302 ft · 28 sec
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7
Turn left onto West Walnut Grove Road
1055 ft · 21 sec · West Walnut Grove Road
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8
Continue on Thornton Road
1035 ft · 21 sec · Thornton Road
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9
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Thornton Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sacramento and Thornton.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Westside Freeway
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
24.4 mi · 00h 27m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Sunny leaving Sacramento and Patchy Fog then Sunny near Thornton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sacramento to Thornton?
The road trip is about 26.9 miles (43.3 km) and usually takes 00h 31m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Laguna is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13.5 miles from Sacramento and 13.4 miles from Thornton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 24.9 miles (40 km), while the road route adds roughly 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:26 PM PST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.55 one way or $11.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Sacramento and Patchy Fog then Sunny near Thornton.
Stop Ideas Near Laguna
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall Garage
City of Elk Grove Special Waste Collection Center
City of Refuge Sacramento
City of Sacramento
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Laguna.
Elk Grove, California
Sacramento (State Capitol), California
Sacramento Valley Station
Davis station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sacramento and Thornton. Straight-line distance: 24.85 mi (40 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 Thornton
Situated at an elevation of 13 feet in San Joaquin County, this census-designated place lies within the low-lying Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta region.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 38.2260300, -121.4246700 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| Country | United States |
End: Thornton (-121.42467, 38.22603)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 43 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.84 | $5.55 | $11.10 |
| Mid-grade | $6.09 | $5.78 | $11.56 |
| Premium | $6.28 | $5.96 | $11.92 |
| Diesel | $8.28 | $7.87 | $15.73 |
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