How far is San Rafael, CA from Sacramento, CA?
The driving distance from San Rafael, CA to Sacramento, CA is about 83.7 miles (134.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 70.2 miles (113 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 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 01h 27m.
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.
Town in Connecticut, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Rafael and Sacramento.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Rafael and Sacramento.
-
1
Start on Fourth Street
3036 ft · 1 min · Fourth Street
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2
Turn left onto Irwin Street
597 ft · 16 sec · Irwin Street
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3
Take the ramp straight toward US 101 North: Eureka
1200 ft · 31 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Redwood Highway
7.4 mi · 9 min · Redwood Highway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward CA 37 East: Napa, Vallejo
2297 ft · 30 sec
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6
Continue straight
20.8 mi · 26 min
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7
Take the exit slight left toward I 80
1.2 km · 2 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
8.6 mi · 10 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
27.3 mi · 31 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
8.4 mi · 10 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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11
Continue on Yolo Causeway
3.7 mi · 4 min · Yolo Causeway
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12
Take the exit slight left
3.3 mi · 4 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 North, I 5 South: Redding, Los Angeles
1053 ft · 14 sec
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 North: Redding
1052 ft · 30 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 North: Redding
1112 ft · 15 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
1 km · 44 sec · Westside Freeway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward J Street, Downtown
1300 ft · 34 sec
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18
Turn right onto J Street
822 ft · 25 sec · J Street
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19
Turn left onto 5th Street
814 ft · 19 sec · 5th Street
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20
Turn right onto H Street
1602 ft · 40 sec · H Street
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21
Turn right onto 9th Street
149 m · 15 sec · 9th Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 9th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Rafael 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 Rafael and Mostly Sunny near Sacramento.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Rafael to Sacramento?
The road trip is about 83.7 miles (134.7 km) and usually takes 01h 27m 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?
Fairfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 41.8 miles from San Rafael and 41.9 miles from Sacramento.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 70.2 miles (113 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.5 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 3:36 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.02 one way or $34.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 26.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around San Rafael and Mostly Sunny near Sacramento.
Stop Ideas Near Fairfield
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 Fairfield.
Suisun–Fairfield station
Marine World (Seasonal), Vallejo, California
Vallejo, California
Martinez station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Rafael and Sacramento. Straight-line distance: 70.19 mi (112.96 km).
#1 San Rafael
The most populous city in Marin County, California.
| Population | 58,528 |
| Coordinates | 37.9735300, -122.5310900 |
| 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: 135 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $17.02 | $34.04 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $17.89 | $35.79 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $18.42 | $36.83 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $22.32 | $44.65 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.