How far is Stanford, CA from Sacramento, CA?

The driving distance from Stanford, CA to Sacramento, CA is about 121.5 miles (195.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 17m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 87.9 miles (141.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 34m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
121.52 mi
02h 17m
Flight
87.94 mi
141.52 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Stanford.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
87.94 mi
Kilometers
141.52 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
121.52 mi
Kilometers
195.57 km
Drive Time
02h 17m

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 17m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sacramento
Thu, Apr 23, 1:14 AM PDT
Return by in Stanford
Thu, Apr 23, 3:31 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Stanford
2026-04-22T22:57
Arrive Sacramento
Thu, Apr 23, 1:14 AM PDT
Route Timing
02h 17m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:17 AM to 12:17 PM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:56 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Stanford
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

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
Vallejo
CA

The second most populous city in Solano County, California.

From Stanford
58.8 mi
01h 08m
To Sacramento
62.7 mi
01h 08m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
62°F
Wednesday

Chance Light Rain

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
6 to 9 mph SW
Destination
66°F
Wednesday

Chance Light Rain

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
7 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Bowdoin Lane

    99 m · 19 sec · Bowdoin Lane

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Arguello Mall

    69 m · 12 sec · Arguello Mall

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Campus Drive East

    1121 ft · 43 sec · Campus Drive East

  4. 4

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Campus Drive East

    27 m · 2 sec · Campus Drive East

  5. 5

    Exit the roundabout onto Campus Drive East

    598 ft · 20 sec · Campus Drive East

  6. 6

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Campus Drive East

    28 m · 2 sec · Campus Drive East

  7. 7

    Exit the roundabout onto Campus Drive East

    879 ft · 30 sec · Campus Drive East

  8. 8

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Campus Drive

    45 m · 4 sec · Campus Drive

  9. 9

    Exit the roundabout onto Campus Drive

    2218 ft · 1 min · Campus Drive

  10. 10

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Galvez Street

    18 m · 2 sec · Galvez Street

  11. 11

    Exit the roundabout onto Galvez Street

    1607 ft · 56 sec · Galvez Street

  12. 12

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Galvez Street

    31 m · 4 sec · Galvez Street

  13. 13

    Exit the roundabout onto Galvez Street

    843 ft · 31 sec · Galvez Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto El Camino Real

    1673 ft · 50 sec · El Camino Real

  15. 15

    Turn slight right

    683 ft · 26 sec

  16. 16

    Turn right onto University Avenue

    1.2 km · 3 min · University Avenue

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Middlefield Road

    2534 ft · 1 min · Middlefield Road

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Willow Road

    1 mi · 3 min · Willow Road

  19. 19

    Continue on Willow Road

    1 mi · 2 min · Willow Road

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Bayfront Expressway

    1.6 mi · 2 min · Bayfront Expressway

  21. 21

    Continue on Dumbarton Bridge

    6.8 mi · 9 min · Dumbarton Bridge

  22. 22

    Continue on Decoto Road

    688 ft · 17 sec · Decoto Road

  23. 23

    Take the exit right toward I 880 North: Oakland

    1134 ft · 29 sec

  24. 24

    Merge slight left onto Nimitz Freeway

    3.5 mi · 4 min · Nimitz Freeway

  25. 25

    Keep slight left

    17.8 mi · 21 min

  26. 26

    Keep slight left to continue on Nimitz Freeway

    2.3 mi · 3 min · Nimitz Freeway

  27. 27

    Continue on Nimitz Freeway

    1.9 mi · 3 min · Nimitz Freeway

  28. 28

    Continue on Eastshore Freeway

    3.3 mi · 4 min · Eastshore Freeway

  29. 29

    Keep slight left to continue on Eastshore Freeway

    7.4 mi · 9 min · Eastshore Freeway

  30. 30

    Continue on Eastshore Freeway

    3.2 mi · 4 min · Eastshore Freeway

  31. 31

    Continue on Linus F. Claeys Freeway

    3.5 mi · 4 min · Linus F. Claeys Freeway

  32. 32

    Continue on Eastshore Freeway

    1718 ft · 27 sec · Eastshore Freeway

  33. 33

    Continue on Carquinez Bridge

    1.6 km · 1 min · Carquinez Bridge

  34. 34

    Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    14.5 mi · 17 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  35. 35

    Keep slight left to continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    27.3 mi · 31 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  36. 36

    Keep slight left to continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    8.4 mi · 10 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  37. 37

    Continue on Yolo Causeway

    3.7 mi · 4 min · Yolo Causeway

  38. 38

    Keep slight left to continue on Capital City Freeway

    3.3 mi · 4 min · Capital City Freeway

  39. 39

    Take the exit slight right toward I 5 North, I 5 South: Redding, Los Angeles

    1053 ft · 14 sec

  40. 40

    Keep slight left to continue on I 5 North: Redding

    1052 ft · 30 sec

  41. 41

    Keep slight left to continue on I 5 North: Redding

    1112 ft · 15 sec

  42. 42

    Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway

    1 km · 44 sec · Westside Freeway

  43. 43

    Take the exit slight right toward J Street, Downtown

    1300 ft · 34 sec

  44. 44

    Turn right onto J Street

    822 ft · 25 sec · J Street

  45. 45

    Turn left onto 5th Street

    814 ft · 19 sec · 5th Street

  46. 46

    Turn right onto H Street

    1602 ft · 40 sec · H Street

  47. 47

    Turn right onto 9th Street

    149 m · 15 sec · 9th Street

  48. 48

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 9th Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
48 steps
22 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
15
2 merges, 13 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
39.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
50.2 mi · 41%
Nimitz Freeway
25.5 mi · 21%
Eastshore Freeway
14.3 mi · 12%
Dumbarton Bridge
6.82 mi · 6%
Yolo Causeway
3.68 mi · 3%
Linus F. Claeys Freeway
3.45 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 17m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+33.6 mi
87.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Vallejo
01h 08m from Stanford
Leave By
1:56 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Light Rain leaving Stanford 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 Stanford to Sacramento?

The road trip is about 121.5 miles (195.6 km) and usually takes 02h 17m 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?

Vallejo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 58.8 miles from Stanford and 62.7 miles from Sacramento.

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

The direct path is about 87.9 miles (141.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.6 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 1:56 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.75 one way or $49.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Vallejo

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Vallejo and the surrounding midpoint area.
BikeLink : Richmond City Hall
Scenic stop 11.2 mi away

BikeLink : Richmond City Hall

Richmond , CA
450 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond, CA 94804, United States
Rating 4.0/5 32 reviews Parking lot for bicycles
Berkeley Community Media
Practical stop 14.3 mi away

Berkeley Community Media

Berkeley , CA
2239 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Berkeley, CA 94704, United States
Rating 4.2/5 5 reviews Television station,City government office,Video production service
El Cerrito City Hall
Meeting point 11.7 mi away

El Cerrito City Hall

El Cerrito , CA
10890 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito, CA 94530, United States
Rating 4.6/5 9 reviews City government office
Old Maple Hall
Nearby stop 9.9 mi away

Old Maple Hall

San Pablo , CA
13831 San Pablo Ave, San Pablo, CA 94806, United States
Rating 4.7/5 48 reviews Community center

Transit and Meeting Points

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

BUS

Vallejo, California

3 mi away
4355 Sonoma Blvd.
BUS

Marine World (Seasonal), Vallejo, California

4 mi away
Highway 37 and Fairgrounds Drive
RAIL

Martinez station

14 mi away
601 Marina Vista Ave.
RAIL

Richmond station

21 mi away
1700 Nevin Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Stanford and Sacramento. Straight-line distance: 87.94 mi (141.52 km).

Stanford

#1 Stanford

Private research university located in Stanford, California, United States

Population13,809
Coordinates37.4241100, -122.1660800
Altitude23
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: Bowdoin Lane (-122.166195, 37.423776)
End: 9th Street (-121.49442, 38.581575)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 196 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 02m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 02m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 25m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 01m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 44m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 30m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.29 gal
16.23 L · about $24.75
Round trip
$49.50
8.58 gal · 32.46 L
Estimated CO2
38.1 kg one way
Round trip: 76.3 kg / 168 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $24.75 $49.50
Mid-grade $6.07 $26.02 $52.05
Premium $6.24 $26.78 $53.56
Diesel $7.57 $32.46 $64.92

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Stanford and Sacramento. The current time is 22:57:13.

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.