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Trip from Buttonwillow, CA to Sacramento, CA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

4h 46m

Distance

260.7 mi

420 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$60

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 33m ★
6 AM
4h 46m
8 AM
5h 13m
10 AM
4h 56m
12 PM
4h 53m
3 PM
4h 57m
5 PM
5h 12m
8 PM
4h 38m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Buttonwillow, CA, CA

Buttonwillow, CA

Anna Arysheva

capital city of the U.S. state of California and seat of Sacramento County

Sacramento, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Buttonwillow, CA to Sacramento, CA covers 260.7 miles and takes about 4h 46m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Westside Freeway, Buttonwillow Drive, H Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 255.3 miles on Westside Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $59.92 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

130.3 miles from Buttonwillow, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 23m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 46m. Total distance: 260.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 4h 46m highway drive covering 260.7 miles, with most of the trip on Westside Freeway and Buttonwillow Drive. The longest continuous stretch is about 255.3 miles on Westside Freeway.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Westside Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 255.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and Buttonwillow Drive. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Buttonwillow Drive.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 260.7 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (Buttonwillow Drive): Navigation decision point; at 212.2 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 259.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0.3 mi into trip | ~1m in | Buttonwillow Drive

At end of road, turn right onto Buttonwillow Drive

Navigation decision point

6
212.2 mi into trip | ~3h 51m in | I 5 / Westside Freeway

Keep left at fork onto I 5 / Westside Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
259.7 mi into trip | ~4h 44m in

Take the exit toward J Street, Downtown

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 519B Toward J Street, Downtown
7
260.1 mi into trip | ~4h 45m in | 5th Street

Turn left onto 5th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
7
260.6 mi into trip | ~4h 46m in | 9th Street

Turn right onto 9th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Westside Freeway 255.3 mi 4h 35m
Buttonwillow Drive 3.9 mi 6m
H Street 0.3 mi <1m
East 1st Street 0.3 mi 1m
J Street 0.2 mi <1m
5th Street 0.2 mi <1m
9th Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Westside Freeway — 255.3 mi, about 4h 35m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Buttonwillow, CA and Sacramento, CA.

1

Start on East 1st Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · East 1st Street
2

At end of road, turn right onto Buttonwillow Drive

3.9 mi · 6 min · Buttonwillow Drive
3

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 30 sec
4

Merge onto I 5

182 mi · 3 hr 15 min · Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

26 mi · 27 min · Westside Freeway
6

Keep left at fork onto I 5

48 mi · 52 min · Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 34 sec
Exit 519B Toward J Street, Downtown Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Turn right onto J Street

0.2 mi · 25 sec · J Street
9

Turn left onto 5th Street

0.2 mi · 19 sec · 5th Street
Use the straight lane.
10

Turn right onto H Street

0.3 mi · 40 sec · H Street
11

Turn right onto 9th Street

490 ft · 15 sec · 9th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
12

Arrive at destination

9th Street

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 130.3 miles from Buttonwillow, CA, or about 2h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 255.3 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 57 miles or 1h 4m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 130.3 miles or 2h 23m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 53m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sacramento, CA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Buttonwillow, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Buttonwillow, CA

This is one driving day of about 260.7 miles and 4h 46m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Buttonwillow, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 255.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 130.3 mi from Buttonwillow, CA · 2h 23m into the drive

city in California, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ripon, CA

130 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Coalinga, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 57 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Turlock, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 130.3 miles from Buttonwillow, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 255.3 miles.

Arriving in Sacramento, CA

The final approach into Sacramento, CA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Sacramento, CA.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Old Sacramento Waterfront

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Sacramento, California

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 260.7

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19169705226

Visit website

Butcher & Barrel

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Sacramento, California

0.2 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Anchor & Tree Coffee Roasting Co

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Sacramento, California

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 260.7

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+19163059267

Visit website

Old Sacramento Waterfront

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 260.7

Sacramento, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19169705226

Visit website

Butcher & Barrel

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $100 or ab mile 260.7

Sacramento, California

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+19164763408

Visit website

Allora

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $100 or ab mile 260.7

Sacramento, California

Hours: 5–8:30 pm

+19165386434

Visit website

Anchor & Tree Coffee Roasting Co

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 260.7

Sacramento, California

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+19163059267

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 74.5

Coalinga, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 74.5

Coalinga, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 260.7

Sacramento, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887800062

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 260.7

Sacramento, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 260.7

Sacramento, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 260.7

Sacramento, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 260.7

West Sacramento, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 260.7

Sacramento, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 260.7

Sacramento, California

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+19164443071

Visit website

California State Capitol Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 260.7

Sacramento, California

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+19163240333

Visit website

Crocker Art Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately mile 260.7

Sacramento, California

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+19168087000

Visit website

California Museum

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 260.7

Sacramento, California

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19166537524

Visit website

Sacramento History Museum

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 260.7

Sacramento, California

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19168087059

Visit website

Scavenger Hunt Walking Tours - Old Sacramento

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 260.7

Sacramento, California

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+19165872923

Visit website

William Land Regional Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 260.7

Sacramento, California

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+19168086060

Visit website

Funderland Amusement Park

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 260.7

Sacramento, California

Hours: 11 am–5 pm

+19164560131

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$59.92 one way

$119.84 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 91 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $61.75 $123.49
premium $6.18 $63.40 $126.80
diesel $5.61 $57.56 $115.12

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$60

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$85–$110

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 91.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 78.2 0 $27.37 $12.51
Efficient EV 65.2 0 $22.81 $10.43
EV Truck/SUV 104.3 1 $36.50 $16.68

Gas CO2

91 kg

EV CO2

31 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Buttonwillow, CA

Evening in Buttonwillow on Thursday

Local time

8:03 PM

PDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Sacramento, CA

Evening in Sacramento on Thursday

Local time

8:03 PM

PDT

Current temp

68°F

Sunny

NNW 18 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Lake Wind Advisory

Lake Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 2:48PM PDT until April 16 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 2:48PM PDT until April 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Hanford CA

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

18 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

4h 46m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Buttonwillow, CA to Sacramento, CA covers 260.7 miles and takes about 4h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, Buttonwillow Drive, H Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 130.3 miles from Buttonwillow, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $59.92 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 260.7 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (Buttonwillow Drive): Navigation decision point; at 212.2 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 259.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Buttonwillow, CA to Sacramento, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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