How far is Santa Cruz, CA from Sacramento, CA?
The driving distance from Santa Cruz, CA to Sacramento, CA is about 146.8 miles (236.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 114.9 miles (184.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 49m 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 02h 24m.
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.
Census designated place in California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Light Rain
Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Santa Cruz and Sacramento.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Cruz and Sacramento.
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1
Start on the route
16 m · 7 sec
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Chestnut Street
32 m · 2 sec · Chestnut Street
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3
Keep slight left to continue on Chestnut Street Extension
943 ft · 21 sec · Chestnut Street Extension
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4
Continue on Cabrillo Highway
1.6 km · 2 min · Cabrillo Highway
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5
Take the exit slight left toward CA 17 North: San Jose, Oakland
1133 ft · 24 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Santa Cruz Highway
26.5 mi · 35 min · Santa Cruz Highway
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7
Continue straight
11.5 mi · 13 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Nimitz Freeway
3139 ft · 41 sec · Nimitz Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward Sacramento
1.6 mi · 2 min
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10
Take the exit straight toward I 680 North: Sacramento
1012 ft · 25 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 680 North: Sacramento
1618 ft · 41 sec
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12
Merge slight left
37.3 mi · 43 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
6 mi · 7 min · Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
74 m · 3 sec · Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Benicia-Martinez Bridge
2053 ft · 27 sec · Benicia-Martinez Bridge
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17
Continue on Luther E Gibson Freeway
12 mi · 14 min · Luther E Gibson Freeway
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18
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 East, CA 12 East: Fairfield, Sacramento
2286 ft · 56 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1.7 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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20
Keep slight left to continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
27.3 mi · 31 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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21
Keep slight left to continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
8.4 mi · 10 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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22
Continue on Yolo Causeway
3.7 mi · 4 min · Yolo Causeway
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23
Keep slight left to continue on Capital City Freeway
3.3 mi · 4 min · Capital City Freeway
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24
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 North, I 5 South: Redding, Los Angeles
1053 ft · 14 sec
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25
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 North: Redding
1052 ft · 30 sec
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26
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 North: Redding
1112 ft · 15 sec
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27
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
1 km · 44 sec · Westside Freeway
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28
Take the exit slight right toward J Street, Downtown
1300 ft · 34 sec
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29
Turn right onto J Street
822 ft · 25 sec · J Street
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30
Turn left onto 5th Street
814 ft · 19 sec · 5th Street
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31
Turn right onto H Street
1602 ft · 40 sec · H Street
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32
Turn right onto 9th Street
149 m · 15 sec · 9th Street
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 9th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Cruz 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.
I 680 North
Merge slight left
37.3 mi · 00h 43m
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.
Slight Chance Light Rain leaving Santa Cruz and Chance Light Rain near Sacramento.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Santa Cruz to Sacramento?
The road trip is about 146.8 miles (236.2 km) and usually takes 02h 24m 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?
Alamo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 73.3 miles from Santa Cruz and 73.5 miles from Sacramento.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 114.9 miles (184.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.9 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 1:40 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.88 one way or $59.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Light Rain around Santa Cruz and Chance Light Rain near Sacramento.
Stop Ideas Near Alamo
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Frank H. Ogawa Plaza
Berkeley Community Media
Alameda County Marriage License
OAKLAND CITY HALL
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Alamo.
Oakland Coliseum station
Dublin-Pleasanton, California
Martinez station
Hayward station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Santa Cruz and Sacramento. Straight-line distance: 114.86 mi (184.85 km).
#1 Santa Cruz
The most populous city in Santa Cruz County, California.
| Population | 64,317 |
| Coordinates | 36.9741200, -122.0308000 |
| Altitude | 11 |
| 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: 236 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $29.88 | $59.77 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $31.42 | $62.84 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $32.34 | $64.68 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $39.20 | $78.39 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.