How far is Selma, CA from Sacramento, CA?

The driving distance from Selma, CA to Sacramento, CA is about 189.1 miles (304.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 05m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 173 miles (278.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
189.06 mi
03h 05m
Flight
172.98 mi
278.39 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Selma.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
172.98 mi
Kilometers
278.39 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
189.06 mi
Kilometers
304.27 km
Drive Time
03h 05m

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 03h 05m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sacramento
Mon, May 4, 4:03 AM PDT
Return by in Selma
Mon, May 4, 7:09 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Selma
2026-05-04T00:57
Arrive Sacramento
Mon, May 4, 4:03 AM PDT
Route Timing
03h 05m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:06 AM to 11:06 AM PDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:48 AM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Selma
9:00 PM PDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Turlock
CA

The most populous city in Stanislaus County, California.

From Selma
92.3 mi
01h 32m
To Sacramento
96.7 mi
01h 32m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
67°F
Monday

Chance Light Rain

Starts
Mon, May 4 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 mph NNW
Destination
65°F
Monday

Chance Light Rain

Starts
Mon, May 4 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
7 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Selma and Sacramento.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Selma and Sacramento.

  1. 1

    Start on Arrants Street

    120 m · 19 sec · Arrants Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto McCall Avenue

    1085 ft · 22 sec · McCall Avenue

  3. 3

    Continue on 2nd Street

    1896 ft · 43 sec · 2nd Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp right toward CA 99 North

    1213 ft · 30 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    26.7 mi · 30 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward Avenue 7

    2522 ft · 31 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    21.4 mi · 24 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on Northbound California State Route 99

    84.6 mi · 1 hr 38 min · Northbound California State Route 99

  9. 9

    Continue on Golden State Highway

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Golden State Highway

  10. 10

    Continue on Old U.S. Route 99E

    1.3 mi · 1 min · Old U.S. Route 99E

  11. 11

    Keep slight left

    44.7 mi · 52 min

  12. 12

    Continue on Capital City Freeway

    2593 ft · 32 sec · Capital City Freeway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward N Street

    1261 ft · 33 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left onto 30th Street

    858 ft · 24 sec · 30th Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto L Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · L Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto 16th Street

    1265 ft · 33 sec · 16th Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto I Street

    2891 ft · 1 min · I Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto 9th Street

    22 m · 2 sec · 9th Street

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 9th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Selma and Sacramento.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
19 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Northbound California State Route 99
84.6 mi · 45%
Old U.S. Route 99E
46 mi · 24%
CA 99 North
27 mi · 14%
Avenue 7
21.9 mi · 12%
Golden State Highway
1.77 mi · 1%
L Street
1.07 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Northbound California State Route 99

Keep slight right to continue on Northbound California State Route 99

84.6 mi · 01h 38m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 05m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.1 mi
173 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Turlock
01h 32m from Selma
Leave By
10:48 AM PDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Light Rain leaving Selma 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 Selma to Sacramento?

The road trip is about 189.1 miles (304.3 km) and usually takes 03h 05m 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?

Turlock is a useful midpoint, sitting about 92.3 miles from Selma and 96.7 miles from Sacramento.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 173 miles (278.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.1 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 10:48 AM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.48 one way or $76.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around Selma and Chance Light Rain near Sacramento.

Stop Ideas Near Turlock

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Turlock, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Turlock.

RAIL

Denair station

6 mi away
3800 Santa Fe Avenue
RAIL

Modesto station

20 mi away
1700 Held Drive
RAIL

Merced station

39 mi away
324 West 24th St
RAIL

Manteca, CA

50 mi away
17800 Shideler Parkway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Selma and Sacramento. Straight-line distance: 172.98 mi (278.39 km).

Selma

#1 Selma

City in and county seat of Dallas County, Alabama, United States

Population24,370
Coordinates36.5707800, -119.6120800
Altitude94
CountryUnited States
Sacramento

#2 Sacramento

The sixth most populous city in California and the center of the Sacramento metropolitan area.

Population512,838
Coordinates38.5815700, -121.4944000
Altitude9
CountryUnited States
Start: Arrants Street (-119.612078, 36.570697)
End: 9th Street (-121.49442, 38.581575)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 304 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 17m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 43m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 46m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 09m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 42m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 21m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.67 gal
25.25 L · about $38.48
Round trip
$76.96
13.34 gal · 50.5 L
Estimated CO2
59.3 kg one way
Round trip: 118.6 kg / 261 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $38.48 $76.96
Mid-grade $6.07 $40.46 $80.92
Premium $6.24 $41.64 $83.28
Diesel $7.57 $50.47 $100.94

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 · May 04, 2026

There is no time difference between Selma and Sacramento. The current time is 00:57:49.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.