Origin
Citrus Heights, CA
Morning in Citrus Heights on Thursday
Local time
10:38 AM
PDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 7m
Distance
50.2 mi
81 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Citrus Heights, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Howard Landing, CA
Stephen Leonardi
The drive from Citrus Heights, CA to Howard Landing, CA covers 50.2 miles and takes about 1h 7m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Westside Freeway, Capital City Freeway, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 19.7 miles on Westside Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.54 one way before food or hotel costs.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 7m. Total distance: 50.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (65%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a 1h 7m highway drive covering 50.2 miles, with most of the trip on Westside Freeway and Capital City Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 19.7 miles on Westside Freeway.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and Capital City Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Antelope Road.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 50.2 miles you will encounter 17 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 0.1 miles (Antelope Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 7 miles (I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.6 miles (I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto Antelope Road
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway toward I 80 Business West: Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway toward US 50 East, I 80 West: South Lake Tahoe, San Francisco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 5: Los Angeles, Redding
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 South: Los Angeles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Citrus Heights, CA and Howard Landing, CA, road signs point toward San Francisco and Redding.
San Francisco
Redding
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 19.7 mi | 22m |
| Capital City Freeway | 10.6 mi | 11m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 5 mi | 5m |
| Twin Cities Road | 4.2 mi | 7m |
| Victory Highway | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| CA 220 | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| River Road | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Antelope Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Citrus Heights, CA and Howard Landing, CA.
Start on this road
Turn left onto Mariposa Avenue
Turn right onto Antelope Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 Business
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 5
Take the exit
Turn right onto E13
At end of road, turn left onto E13
Turn right onto J11
Turn left onto CA 160
Continue on CA 160
Turn right onto CA 220
Turn left
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 25.1 mi from Citrus Heights, CA · 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
25 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.
A short stop after about 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 25.1 miles from Citrus Heights, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Howard Landing, 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.
Regular Gas
$11.54 one way
$23.08 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $11.89 | $23.78 |
| premium | $6.18 | $12.21 | $24.42 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.08 | $22.17 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$12
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.1 | 0 | $5.27 | $2.41 |
| Efficient EV | 12.6 | 0 | $4.39 | $2.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.1 | 0 | $7.03 | $3.21 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Citrus Heights on Thursday
Local time
10:38 AM
PDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Howard Landing on Thursday
Local time
10:38 AM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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