Origin
Cottonwood, CA
Afternoon in Cottonwood on Sunday
Local time
2:13 PM
PDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cottonwood, CA to Sacramento, CA
Drive Time
42m
Distance
36.1 mi
58 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 39m
★
6 AM
0h 42m
8 AM
0h 50m
10 AM
0h 45m
12 PM
0h 44m
3 PM
0h 45m
5 PM
0h 49m
8 PM
0h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cottonwood, CA
Robert So
Sacramento, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
The drive from Cottonwood, CA to Sacramento, CA covers 36.1 miles and takes about 42m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on the route, Pedrick Road, West Kentucky Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $8.36 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.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
18 miles from Cottonwood, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 21m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 42m drive with frequent turns across 36.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
the route is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Cottonwood, CA to Sacramento, CA is easy. At 42m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Cottonwood, CA to Sacramento, CA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| the route | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Pedrick Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Kentucky Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North West Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| County Road 99 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 5 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Westside Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Downtown | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
the route
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cottonwood, CA and Sacramento, CA.
1
Start on County Road 89
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
County Road 89
2
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
13 ft
·
the route
3
Exit the roundabout
371 ft
·
6 sec
4
Turn straight
9.1 mi
·
12 min
5
Turn left onto Pedrick Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Pedrick Road
6
Turn right onto West Kentucky Avenue
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Kentucky Avenue
7
Turn left onto North West Street
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
North West Street
8
Continue on County Road 99
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
County Road 99
9
Take the ramp right toward I 5 South: Sacramento
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
I 5 South: Sacramento
10
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Westside Freeway
11
Keep slight left to continue on Westside Freeway
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Westside Freeway
12
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown, J Street
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Downtown, J Street
13
Continue on J Street
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
J Street
14
Turn left onto 5th Street
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
5th Street
15
Turn right onto H Street
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
H Street
16
Turn right onto 9th Street
489 ft
·
15 sec
·
9th Street
17
Arrive at your destination
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 18 miles from Cottonwood, CA, or about 21m into the drive.
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 36.1 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 18 miles or 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 36m
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 Cottonwood, 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 Cottonwood, CA
This is one driving day of about 36.1 miles and 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Cottonwood, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 18 mi from Cottonwood, CA · 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 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 36.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 18 miles from Cottonwood, 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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Sacramento, CA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.36 one way
$16.72 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $8.62 | $17.24 |
| premium | $6.24 | $8.87 | $17.75 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $8.02 | $16.04 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.8 | 0 | $3.79 | $1.73 |
| Efficient EV | 9 | 0 | $3.16 | $1.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.4 | 0 | $5.05 | $2.31 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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
Afternoon in Sacramento on Sunday
Local time
2:13 PM
PDT
Current temp
51°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
1 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
42m 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 Cottonwood, CA to Sacramento, CA covers 36.1 miles and takes about 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are the route, Pedrick Road, West Kentucky Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 18 miles from Cottonwood, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.36 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.
The drive from Cottonwood, CA to Sacramento, CA is easy. At 42m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Cottonwood, CA to Sacramento, CA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Cottonwood, CA to Sacramento, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Sacramento, CA
More from Cottonwood, CA
More trips to Sacramento, CA
Explore more options from Cottonwood, CA or browse trips ending in Sacramento, CA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.
Explore maps for Cottonwood, CA or Sacramento, CA on MapSof.net.