How far is Stockton, CA from South Lake Tahoe, CA?
The driving distance from Stockton, CA to South Lake Tahoe, CA is about 138.1 miles (222.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 97.7 miles (157.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 05m 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 03h 02m.
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 El Dorado 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 Stockton and South Lake Tahoe.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Stockton and South Lake Tahoe.
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1
Start on East Fremont Street
36 m · 8 sec · East Fremont Street
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2
Turn right onto North El Dorado Street
1.1 km · 1 min · North El Dorado Street
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3
Turn right onto East Harding Way
1 mi · 3 min · East Harding Way
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4
Turn left onto North Wilson Way
2.5 mi · 4 min · North Wilson Way
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5
Take the ramp straight
816 ft · 20 sec
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6
Merge slight right
26.6 mi · 31 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward Grant Line Road
1770 ft · 45 sec
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8
Turn right onto Grant Line Road
2.2 mi · 3 min · Grant Line Road
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9
Turn left onto Bradshaw Road
2.6 mi · 4 min · Bradshaw Road
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10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Bradshaw Road
28 m · 2 sec · Bradshaw Road
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11
Exit the roundabout onto Bradshaw Road
8.7 mi · 12 min · Bradshaw Road
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12
Take the ramp straight toward US 50 East: South Lake Tahoe
1851 ft · 45 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto El Dorado Freeway
51.9 mi · 1 hr 2 min · El Dorado Freeway
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14
Continue straight
32.7 mi · 45 min
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15
Continue straight
1795 ft · 34 sec
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16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
37 m · 5 sec
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17
Exit the roundabout
1.4 km · 2 min
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
21 m · 1 sec
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19
Exit the roundabout
3.9 mi · 6 min
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20
Take the exit slight right
2.4 mi · 5 min
-
21
Turn left onto Los Angeles Avenue
1185 ft · 38 sec · Los Angeles Avenue
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22
Turn left onto Oakland Avenue
1994 ft · 56 sec · Oakland Avenue
-
23
Turn right onto El Dorado Avenue
688 ft · 19 sec · El Dorado Avenue
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · El Dorado Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Stockton and South Lake Tahoe.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
El Dorado Freeway
Merge slight left onto El Dorado Freeway
51.9 mi · 01h 02m
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 Stockton and Sunny near South Lake Tahoe.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Stockton to South Lake Tahoe?
The road trip is about 138.1 miles (222.3 km) and usually takes 03h 02m 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?
Shingle Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 69 miles from Stockton and 69.1 miles from South Lake Tahoe.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 97.7 miles (157.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.4 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 10:54 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.10 one way or $56.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Stockton and Sunny near South Lake Tahoe.
Stop Ideas Near Shingle Springs
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Folsom Solid Waste
Folsom Water Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Shingle Springs.
Placerville, California
Auburn
Rocklin
Roseville station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Stockton and South Lake Tahoe. Straight-line distance: 97.68 mi (157.2 km).
#1 Stockton
The fifth most populous city in California and the center of the Stockton metropolitan area.
| Population | 312,716 |
| Coordinates | 37.9577000, -121.2907800 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| Country | United States |
#2 South Lake Tahoe
City in California
| Population | 22,847 |
| Coordinates | 38.9332400, -119.9843500 |
| Altitude | 1901 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Lake Tahoe (-119.98435, 38.93324)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 222 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 58m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $28.10 | $56.19 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $29.54 | $59.08 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $30.40 | $60.81 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $36.85 | $73.70 |
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 · Jun 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.