Origin
Chinatown, CA
Morning in Chinatown on Friday
Local time
9:13 AM
PDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chinatown, CA to Sacramento, CA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 47m
Distance
86.7 mi
139 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 39m
★
6 AM
1h 47m
8 AM
2h 3m
10 AM
1h 53m
12 PM
1h 51m
3 PM
1h 54m
5 PM
2h 2m
8 PM
1h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chinatown, CA
Dominik Gryzbon
Sacramento, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Chinatown, CA to Sacramento, CA covers 86.7 miles and takes about 1h 47m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, Eastshore Freeway, Yolo Causeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 56.6 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.93 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.3 miles from Chinatown, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 47m. Total distance: 86.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 47m drive with frequent turns across 86.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 56.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12 miles in near I 80 / Eastshore Freeway.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 86.7 miles you will encounter 23 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 12 miles (I 80 / Eastshore Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 81.2 miles (US 50; I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
12 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
I 80 / Eastshore Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 / Eastshore Freeway toward I 80 East: Vallejo, Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 80 East: Vallejo, Sacramento
9
81.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
|
US 50; I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50; I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway toward Sacramento, South Lake Tahoe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 82
Toward Sacramento, South Lake Tahoe
8
84.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m in
Take the exit toward I 5 North, I 5 South: Redding, Los Angeles
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 4A
Toward I 5 North, I 5 South: Redding, Los Angel...
9
84.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 North: Redding
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 4A
Toward I 5 North: Redding
8
85.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Chinatown, CA to Sacramento, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Lake Tahoe along the way.
Lake Tahoe
81.2 mi in
|
~1h 39m
|
via US 50; I 80 Business
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 56.6 mi | 1h 7m |
| Eastshore Freeway | 14.3 mi | 16m |
| Yolo Causeway | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| Linus F. Claeys Freeway | 3.5 mi | 3m |
| Capital City Freeway | 3.3 mi | 3m |
| Carquinez Bridge | 1 mi | 1m |
| Westside Freeway | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| 1st Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 56.6 mi, about 1h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chinatown, CA and Sacramento, CA.
1
Start on Pacific Avenue
80 ft
·
5 sec
·
Pacific Avenue
2
Turn right onto Cordelia Street
339 ft
·
16 sec
·
Cordelia Street
3
Turn right onto Broadway
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
Broadway
4
Turn right onto Columbus Avenue
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Columbus Avenue
Use the right lane.
5
Continue on Montgomery Street
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
Montgomery Street
Use the straight lane.
6
Turn left onto Bush Street
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Bush Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
Continue on 1st Street
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
1st Street
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on 1st Street
113 ft
·
5 sec
·
1st Street
Toward I 80 East: Bay Bridge, Oakland
9
Keep slight left at fork onto 1st Street
294 ft
·
14 sec
·
1st Street
Toward I 80 East: Bay Bridge, Oakland
10
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
Toward I 80 East: Bay Bridge, Oakland
Use the straight lane.
11
Merge onto I 80
6.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 80 East
Use the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto I 880
407 ft
·
6 sec
·
Nimitz Freeway
14
Continue on I 80; I 580
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Eastshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
7.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Eastshore Freeway
Toward I 80 East: Vallejo, Sacramento
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 80
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Eastshore Freeway
Exit 21
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
17
Continue on I 80
3.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Linus F. Claeys Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 80
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
Eastshore Freeway
19
Continue on I 80
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Carquinez Bridge
20
Continue on I 80
14 mi
·
16 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
27 mi
·
31 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 80
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Yolo Causeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50; I 80 Business
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Capital City Freeway
Exit 82
Toward Sacramento, South Lake Tahoe
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
Exit 4A
Toward I 5 North, I 5 South: Redding, Los Angeles
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 4A
Toward I 5 North: Redding
Use the slight left lane.
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 4A
Toward I 5 North: Redding
28
Merge onto I 5
0.6 mi
·
44 sec
·
Westside Freeway
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 519B
Toward J Street, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Turn right onto J Street
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
J Street
31
Turn left onto 5th Street
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
5th Street
Use the straight lane.
32
Turn right onto H Street
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
H Street
33
Turn right onto 9th Street
490 ft
·
15 sec
·
9th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
34
Arrive at destination
9th Street
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 43.3 miles from Chinatown, CA, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.6 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 19 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.3 miles or 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 30m
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 Chinatown, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Chinatown, CA
This is one driving day of about 86.7 miles and 1h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Chinatown, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 56.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 43.3 mi from Chinatown, CA · 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 43.3 miles from Chinatown, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.93 one way
$39.85 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $20.53 | $41.07 |
| premium | $6.18 | $21.08 | $42.17 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.14 | $38.28 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26 | 0 | $9.10 | $4.16 |
| Efficient EV | 21.7 | 0 | $7.59 | $3.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.7 | 0 | $12.14 | $5.55 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
Sacramento, CA
Morning in Sacramento on Friday
Local time
9:13 AM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 47m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Chinatown, CA to Sacramento, CA covers 86.7 miles and takes about 1h 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, Eastshore Freeway, Yolo Causeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 43.3 miles from Chinatown, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.93 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 86.7 miles you will encounter 23 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 12 miles (I 80 / Eastshore Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 81.2 miles (US 50; I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Chinatown, CA to Sacramento, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Lake Tahoe along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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