Interlaken, CA to Sacramento, CA is 156.3 miles and takes about 3h 16m via Sinclair Freeway and Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within California's Pacific Coast region, offering a fairly straightforward journey north. You'll be covering a significant portion on well-maintained highways, making it an efficient option if you need to get to Sacramento from the Interlaken area. Plan for a single day trip, as the mileage and duration are very manageable.
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
78.1 miles from Interlaken, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 44m into the drive
.
Sacramento is the state capital of California in the United States. It is the regional center for the Greater Sacramento metropolitan area, which dominates much of the surrounding Sacramento Valley and stretches into parts of Gold Country.
Sacramento is the oldest incorporated city in California, settled between the confluences of the Sacramento and American rivers. The city has been the site of many important historic events that have shaped California and U.S. history, most notably the California Gold Rush and location of the original terminus of the First Transcontinental Railroad. Much of this historical legacy has been preserved, especially in the historic Old Sacramento district, where buildings and railroads from that era continue to attract visitors.
However, Sacramento is not a city that is stuck in the past. As the capital of the most populous U.S.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 16m. Total distance: 156.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This route features a mixed drive profile, with 51% of it on highways. You'll encounter stretches on the Sinclair Freeway, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, and Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway. The longest uninterrupted drive on the Sinclair Freeway is 44.6 miles, offering a taste of the faster-paced, more direct sections of the journey. Expect a generally smooth driving experience with mostly four-lane or wider roads, allowing for consistent speeds.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 37 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Sinclair Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 44.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 38.4 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 30 significant decision points across 156.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 38.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 89.1 miles (I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 150.8 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 30 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
38.4 mi into trip|~58m in
Take the exit toward I 280, I 680: Downtown San Jose, Sacramento
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 384
Toward I 280, I 680: Downtown San Jose, Sacrame...
8
89.1 mi into trip|~1h 57m in|I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway toward I 680 North: Martinez, 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 680 North: Martinez, Sacramento
9
150.8 mi into trip|~3h 8m 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
154.1 mi into trip|~3h 12m 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
154.3 mi into trip|~3h 12m 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
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Sinclair Freeway
44.6 mi
51m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
37.3 mi
43m
Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
12.9 mi
14m
Luther E Gibson Freeway
12 mi
13m
South Valley Freeway
11.2 mi
12m
US 101
8 mi
9m
Watsonville Road
7.3 mi
13m
Hecker Pass Highway
5.1 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
Sinclair Freeway
— 44.6 mi, about 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Interlaken, CA and Sacramento, CA.
1
Start on this road
91 ft·6 sec·this road
2
Keep slight right at fork
102 ft·8 sec
3
At end of road, turn right
0.1 mi·59 sec
4
At end of road, turn left onto CA 152
0.5 mi·51 sec·East Lake Avenue
5
Continue on CA 152
4.6 mi·8 min·Hecker Pass Road
6
Continue on CA 152
5.1 mi·9 min·Hecker Pass Highway
7
Turn left onto G8
7.3 mi·13 min·Watsonville Road
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on Butterfield Boulevard
0.8 mi·1 min·Butterfield Boulevard
9
Turn right onto Tennant Avenue
0.4 mi·50 sec·Tennant Avenue
Use the right lane.
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 101 North: San JoseUse the right lane.
11
Merge onto US 101
11 mi·12 min·South Valley Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 101
8.0 mi·9 min·US 101
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi·56 sec
Exit 384Toward I 280, I 680: Downtown San Jose, SacramentoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 680: SacramentoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 680
45 mi·51 min·Sinclair Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
16
Continue on I 680
5.0 mi·5 min·Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Toward I 680, CA 24Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 680
6.0 mi·6 min·Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Toward I 680 North: Martinez, SacramentoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 680
243 ft·3 sec·Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
1.8 mi·2 min·Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Use the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
0.4 mi·26 sec·Benicia-Martinez Bridge
21
Continue on I 680
12 mi·13 min·Luther E Gibson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 71AToward I 80 East, CA 12 East: Fairfield, Sacramento
23
Merge onto I 80; CA 12
1.7 mi·1 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
27 mi·31 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
8.4 mi·9 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on I 80
3.7 mi·4 min·Yolo Causeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50; I 80 Business
3.3 mi·3 min·Capital City Freeway
Exit 82Toward Sacramento, South Lake TahoeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·13 sec
Exit 4AToward I 5 North, I 5 South: Redding, Los AngelesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 4AToward I 5 North: ReddingUse the slight left lane.
30
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·14 sec
Exit 4AToward I 5 North: Redding
31
Merge onto I 5
0.6 mi·44 sec·Westside Freeway
32
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 519BToward J Street, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Turn right onto J Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·J Street
34
Turn left onto 5th Street
0.2 mi·19 sec·5th Street
Use the straight lane.
35
Turn right onto H Street
0.3 mi·40 sec·H Street
36
Turn right onto 9th Street
490 ft·15 sec·9th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
37
Arrive at destination
9th Street
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over three hours, this trip is easily completed in a single day, offering you flexibility. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. While only one stop is officially noted, you'll find ample opportunities for fuel and rest along the main highways. Given the manageable distance, you can decide on your stop based on how you feel during the drive, rather than pre-planning a specific location.
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 78.1 miles from Interlaken, CA, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.6 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 34 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.1 miles or 1h 44m 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 42m
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 Interlaken, 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 Interlaken, CA
This is one driving day of about 156.3 miles and 3h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Interlaken, 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 Sinclair Freeway for about 44.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 78.1 mi from Interlaken, CA
· 1h 44m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
National Memorial
On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two s...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 91.6
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of American civilians on the WWII home front. Discover how diverse communities lived, worked, and interacted. Many faces, many stories, many truths...
Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park celebrates America’s maritime heritage on the Pacific Coast. Our 50-acre park has grown around Aquatic Park Cove, a protected area...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 86.2
Walk among old growth coast redwoods, cooling their roots in the fresh water of Redwood Creek and lifting their crowns to reach the sun and fog. Federally protected as a National Monument since 1908,...
Experience a park so rich it supports 19 distinct ecosystems with over 2,000 plant and animal species. Go for a hike, enjoy a vista, have a picnic or learn about the centuries of overlapping history f...
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
46.9
0
$16.41
$7.50
Efficient EV
39.1
0
$13.68
$6.25
EV Truck/SUV
62.5
0
$21.88
$10.00
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Interlaken, CA
Evening
in Interlaken on Friday
Local time
7:53 PM
PDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Sacramento, CA
Evening
in Sacramento on Friday
Local time
7:53 PM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
66°F
Fremont, CA
78 mi in
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
20 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
3h 16m 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 Interlaken, CA to Sacramento, CA covers 156.3 miles and takes about 3h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Sinclair Freeway, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 78.1 miles from Interlaken, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.92 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 30 significant decision points across 156.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 38.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 89.1 miles (I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 150.8 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.
The route from Interlaken, CA to Sacramento, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. There are 5 parks within detour distance of this route.
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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
