How far is Shafter, CA from Sacramento, CA?
The driving distance from Shafter, CA to Sacramento, CA is about 268.8 miles (432.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 245.6 miles (395.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 35m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 17m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Merced County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Shafter and Sacramento.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shafter and Sacramento.
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1
Start on Jackson Avenue
98 m · 14 sec · Jackson Avenue
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2
Turn right onto East Lerdo Highway
14.6 mi · 26 min · East Lerdo Highway
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3
Take the ramp slight right
1849 ft · 45 sec
-
4
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
177.8 mi · 3 hr 11 min · Westside Freeway
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5
Keep slight right to continue on Westside Freeway
25.5 mi · 28 min · Westside Freeway
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6
Keep left to continue on Westside Freeway
47.5 mi · 53 min · Westside Freeway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward J Street, Downtown
1300 ft · 34 sec
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8
Turn right onto J Street
822 ft · 25 sec · J Street
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9
Turn left onto 5th Street
814 ft · 19 sec · 5th Street
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10
Turn right onto H Street
1602 ft · 40 sec · H Street
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11
Turn right onto 9th Street
149 m · 15 sec · 9th Street
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 9th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Shafter 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.
Westside Freeway
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
178 mi · 03h 11m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Shafter and Sunny near Sacramento.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Shafter to Sacramento?
The road trip is about 268.8 miles (432.6 km) and usually takes 04h 17m 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?
South Dos Palos is a useful midpoint, sitting about 133.5 miles from Shafter and 135.3 miles from Sacramento.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 245.6 miles (395.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:24 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $54.75 one way or $109.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 84.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Shafter and Sunny near Sacramento.
Stop Ideas Near South Dos Palos
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 South Dos Palos.
Merced station
Madera
Denair station
Fresno station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Shafter and Sacramento. Straight-line distance: 245.63 mi (395.3 km).
#1 Shafter
City in Kern County, California, United States
| Population | 20,739 |
| Coordinates | 35.5005100, -119.2717800 |
| Altitude | 106 |
| 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: 433 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 50m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $54.75 | $109.50 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $57.57 | $115.13 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $59.25 | $118.49 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $71.81 | $143.62 |
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 07, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.