Origin
Fairmead, CA
Afternoon in Fairmead on Thursday
Local time
3:45 PM
PDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fairmead, CA to Sacramento, CA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 42m
Distance
136.1 mi
219 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 32m
★
6 AM
2h 43m
8 AM
3h 4m
10 AM
2h 50m
12 PM
2h 48m
3 PM
2h 51m
5 PM
3h 3m
8 PM
2h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fairmead, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Sacramento, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Fairmead, CA to Sacramento, CA covers 136.1 miles and takes about 2h 42m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on CA 99, Fairmead Boulevard, L Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 131 miles on CA 99. At current regular gas prices, budget about $31.28 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
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
68 miles from Fairmead, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 42m. Total distance: 136.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 42m highway drive covering 136.1 miles, with most of the trip on CA 99 and Fairmead Boulevard. The longest continuous stretch is about 131 miles on CA 99.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
CA 99 is the longest continuous segment at about 131 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CA 99 and Fairmead Boulevard. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in near CA 99.
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 136.1 miles you will encounter 9 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 2.3 miles (CA 99): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.6 miles (CA 99): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 133.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2.3 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
CA 99
Merge onto CA 99
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
88.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 45m in
|
CA 99
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
133.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 38m in
Take the exit toward N Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 7A
Toward N Street
5
134.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 39m in
|
L Street
Turn left onto L Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
135.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 41m in
|
I Street
Turn left onto I Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CA 99 | 131 mi | 2h 32m |
| Fairmead Boulevard | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| L Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| I Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Capital City Freeway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Avenue 22 1/2 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 16th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 30th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
CA 99
— 131 mi, about 2h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairmead, CA and Sacramento, CA.
1
Start on Avenue 22 1/2
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Avenue 22 1/2
2
Turn right onto Fairmead Boulevard
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Fairmead Boulevard
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
4
Merge onto CA 99
86 mi
·
1 hr 40 min
·
CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
45 mi
·
51 min
·
CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on Capital City Freeway
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
·
Capital City Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 7A
Toward N Street
Use the slight right lane.
8
Turn left onto 30th Street
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
30th Street
9
Turn left onto L Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
L Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
10
Turn right onto US 40 Historic
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
16th Street
11
Turn left onto I Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
12
Turn left onto 9th Street
71 ft
·
1 sec
·
9th Street
13
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 68 miles from Fairmead, CA, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 131 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 30 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68 miles or 1h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 12m
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 Fairmead, 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 Fairmead, CA
This is one driving day of about 136.1 miles and 2h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Fairmead, 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 CA 99 for about 131 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 68 mi from Fairmead, CA · 1h 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
68 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 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 68 miles from Fairmead, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before CA 99 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 131 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.28 one way
$62.56 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
48 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $32.24 | $64.47 |
| premium | $6.18 | $33.10 | $66.20 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.05 | $60.10 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40.8 | 0 | $14.29 | $6.53 |
| Efficient EV | 34 | 0 | $11.91 | $5.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 54.4 | 0 | $19.05 | $8.71 |
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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
Afternoon in Sacramento on Thursday
Local time
3:45 PM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Sunny
NNW 10 to 20 mph
0% chance
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
14 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
2h 42m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Fairmead, CA to Sacramento, CA covers 136.1 miles and takes about 2h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are CA 99, Fairmead Boulevard, L 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 68 miles from Fairmead, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.28 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 136.1 miles you will encounter 9 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 2.3 miles (CA 99): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.6 miles (CA 99): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 133.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Fairmead, CA to Sacramento, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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