How far is San Mateo, CA from Sacramento, CA?
The driving distance from San Mateo, CA to Sacramento, CA is about 104.9 miles (168.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 83.6 miles (134.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 41m 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 01h 50m.
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 Napa Valley, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Mateo and Sacramento.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Mateo and Sacramento.
-
1
Start on South El Camino Real
29 m · 7 sec · South El Camino Real
-
2
Turn right onto East 3rd Avenue
2254 ft · 50 sec · East 3rd Avenue
-
3
Turn right onto South Delaware Street
114 m · 15 sec · South Delaware Street
-
4
Turn left onto East 4th Avenue
954 ft · 29 sec · East 4th Avenue
-
5
Keep slight left to continue on East 4th Avenue
1461 ft · 29 sec · East 4th Avenue
-
6
Take the ramp slight right toward US 101 North: San Francisco
807 ft · 20 sec
-
7
Keep slight left to continue on US 101 North: San Francisco
1114 ft · 31 sec
-
8
Merge slight left onto Bayshore Freeway
12.4 mi · 14 min · Bayshore Freeway
-
9
Continue on James Lick Freeway
4.2 mi · 6 min · James Lick Freeway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 East: Bay Bridge, Oakland
8.2 mi · 12 min
-
11
Take the exit slight left toward I 80 East
2949 ft · 45 sec
-
12
Merge slight right onto Nimitz Freeway
124 m · 6 sec · Nimitz Freeway
-
13
Continue on Eastshore Freeway
3.3 mi · 4 min · Eastshore Freeway
-
14
Keep slight left to continue on Eastshore Freeway
7.4 mi · 9 min · Eastshore Freeway
-
15
Continue on Eastshore Freeway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Eastshore Freeway
-
16
Continue on Linus F. Claeys Freeway
3.5 mi · 4 min · Linus F. Claeys Freeway
-
17
Continue on Eastshore Freeway
1718 ft · 27 sec · Eastshore Freeway
-
18
Continue on Carquinez Bridge
1.6 km · 1 min · Carquinez Bridge
-
19
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
14.5 mi · 17 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
-
20
Keep slight left to continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
27.3 mi · 31 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
-
21
Keep slight left to continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
8.4 mi · 10 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
-
22
Continue on Yolo Causeway
3.7 mi · 4 min · Yolo Causeway
-
23
Keep slight left to continue on Capital City Freeway
3.3 mi · 4 min · Capital City Freeway
-
24
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 North, I 5 South: Redding, Los Angeles
1053 ft · 14 sec
-
25
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 North: Redding
1052 ft · 30 sec
-
26
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 North: Redding
1112 ft · 15 sec
-
27
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
1 km · 44 sec · Westside Freeway
-
28
Take the exit slight right toward J Street, Downtown
1300 ft · 34 sec
-
29
Turn right onto J Street
822 ft · 25 sec · J Street
-
30
Turn left onto 5th Street
814 ft · 19 sec · 5th Street
-
31
Turn right onto H Street
1602 ft · 40 sec · H Street
-
32
Turn right onto 9th Street
149 m · 15 sec · 9th Street
-
33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 9th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Mateo and Sacramento.
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
Keep slight left to continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
27.3 mi · 00h 31m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving San Mateo and Sunny near Sacramento.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Mateo to Sacramento?
The road trip is about 104.9 miles (168.9 km) and usually takes 01h 50m 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?
American Canyon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 52.4 miles from San Mateo and 52.6 miles from Sacramento.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 83.6 miles (134.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:48 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.35 one way or $42.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around San Mateo and Sunny near Sacramento.
Stop Ideas Near American Canyon
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 American Canyon.
Marine World (Seasonal), Vallejo, California
Vallejo, California
Martinez station
Suisun–Fairfield station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Mateo and Sacramento. Straight-line distance: 83.64 mi (134.61 km).
#1 San Mateo
The second most populous city in San Mateo County, California.
| Population | 102,398 |
| Coordinates | 37.5629900, -122.3255300 |
| Altitude | 13 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: 9th Street (-121.49442, 38.581575)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 169 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $21.35 | $42.69 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $22.44 | $44.89 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $23.10 | $46.20 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $28.00 | $56.00 |
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 · Jun 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.