How far is Thornton, CA from Sacramento, CA?
The driving distance from Thornton, CA to Sacramento, CA is about 27 miles (43.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 24.9 miles (40 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 00m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 30m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
A city located in Orange County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Thornton and Sacramento.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thornton and Sacramento.
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1
Start on Thornton Road
1035 ft · 21 sec · Thornton Road
-
2
Turn straight onto West Walnut Grove Road
127 m · 8 sec · West Walnut Grove Road
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3
Take the ramp right
1369 ft · 33 sec
-
4
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
25.4 mi · 28 min · Westside Freeway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward J Street, Downtown
1300 ft · 34 sec
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6
Turn right onto J Street
822 ft · 25 sec · J Street
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7
Turn left onto 5th Street
814 ft · 19 sec · 5th Street
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8
Turn right onto H Street
1602 ft · 40 sec · H Street
-
9
Turn right onto 9th Street
149 m · 15 sec · 9th Street
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10
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 9th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Thornton and Sacramento.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Westside Freeway
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
25.4 mi · 00h 28m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Patchy Fog then Sunny leaving Thornton and Mostly Sunny near Sacramento.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Thornton to Sacramento?
The road trip is about 27 miles (43.4 km) and usually takes 00h 30m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Laguna is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13.5 miles from Thornton and 13.5 miles from Sacramento.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 24.9 miles (40 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.1 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:30 PM PST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.55 one way or $11.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Sunny around Thornton and Mostly Sunny near Sacramento.
Stop Ideas Near Laguna
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall Garage
City of Elk Grove Special Waste Collection Center
City of Refuge Sacramento
City of Sacramento
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Laguna.
Elk Grove, California
Sacramento (State Capitol), California
Sacramento Valley Station
Davis station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Thornton and Sacramento. Straight-line distance: 24.85 mi (40 km).
#1 Thornton
Situated at an elevation of 13 feet in San Joaquin County, this census-designated place lies within the low-lying Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta region.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 38.2260300, -121.4246700 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| 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: 43 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.84 | $5.55 | $11.10 |
| Mid-grade | $6.09 | $5.78 | $11.56 |
| Premium | $6.28 | $5.96 | $11.92 |
| Diesel | $8.28 | $7.87 | $15.73 |
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 · Nov 06, 2026