This 391.7-mile journey from Maywood, CA, to Sacramento, CA, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 7 hours and 12 minutes to complete. You'll spend 99% of your time on major highways, making it a highway-focused drive. With an estimated fuel cost of $90, this route is efficient and direct. The drive covers a significant distance, with the longest uninterrupted stretch spanning 298.7 miles on the Westside Freeway. Given its length, planning for around 2 stops is recommended to break up the drive. Both your origin and destination are within the Pacific Coast region, so expect a consistent California landscape.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
195.8 miles from Maywood, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 39m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 12m. Total distance: 391.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 12m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
Expect a drive that is predominantly on the highway, with 99% of the 391.7 miles utilizing major freeways like the Westside Freeway and Golden State Freeway. This highway-focused profile means you'll experience long, uninterrupted stretches, including one that lasts for 298.7 miles. The character of the road is primarily about efficient travel rather than scenic detours. While it's a direct path, be prepared for the rhythm of interstate driving for the majority of your 7-hour and 12-minute journey.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Westside Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 298.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and Golden State Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 32.2 miles in near I 5 Truck.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 391.7 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 32.2 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.1 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 390.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
32.2 mi into trip|~39m in|I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 161A
Toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
7
92.1 mi into trip|~1h 48m in|I 5 / Westside Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 / Westside Freeway toward I 5 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 5 North
8
390.7 mi into trip|~7h 10m 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
7
391.1 mi into trip|~7h 11m in|5th Street
Turn left onto 5th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
391.6 mi into trip|~7h 12m in|9th Street
Turn right onto 9th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
298.7 mi
5h 22m
Golden State Freeway
50 mi
57m
I 5 Truck
37.7 mi
43m
Santa Ana Freeway
1.8 mi
2m
Atlantic Boulevard
1 mi
2m
Long Beach Freeway
0.8 mi
<1m
H Street
0.3 mi
<1m
J Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 298.7 mi, about 5h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Maywood, CA and Sacramento, CA.
1
Start on this road
78 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Atlantic Boulevard
1.0 mi·2 min·Atlantic Boulevard
Use the left lane.
3
Turn slight left
360 ft·15 sec
Toward I 710 North: Pasadena
4
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·33 sec·this road
Toward I 710 North: Long Beach FreewayUse the left / straight lanes.
5
Merge onto I 710
0.8 mi·55 sec·Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 5 North: Los AngelesUse the slight left lane.
7
Merge onto I 5
1.8 mi·2 min·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
25 mi·29 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
2.2 mi·2 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
1.5 mi·1 min·I 5 Truck
Exit 161AToward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 TruckUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
36 mi·41 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
22 mi·25 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
226 mi·4 hr 1 min·Westside Freeway
Toward I 5 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
26 mi·27 min·Westside Freeway
15
Keep left at fork onto I 5
48 mi·52 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 519BToward J Street, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn right onto J Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·J Street
18
Turn left onto 5th Street
0.2 mi·19 sec·5th Street
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn right onto H Street
0.3 mi·40 sec·H Street
20
Turn right onto 9th Street
490 ft·15 sec·9th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Arrive at destination
9th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour and 12-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Maywood, CA, to bypass potential traffic. With 391.7 miles ahead and a fuel cost around $90, planning for 2 stops is advisable for fuel and rest. The longest stretch is a significant 298.7 miles on the Westside Freeway, so ensure you're well-rested before embarking on that segment. Since this is a highway-focused route, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during that extended period on the Westside Freeway, to avoid unnecessary delays.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 195.8 miles from Maywood, CA, or about 3h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 298.7 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 86 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 195.8 miles or 3h 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 5m
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 Maywood, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Maywood, CA
This is one driving day of about 391.7 miles and 7h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 miles from Maywood, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 298.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 195.8 mi from Maywood, CA
· 3h 39m 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.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultura...
Yes, we can! Widely recognized as the most important Latino leader in the United States during the twentieth century, Cesar Chavez led farm workers and supporters in the establishment of the country's...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 94.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$90.03 one way
$180.06 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg137 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$92.77
$185.55
premium
$6.18
$95.26
$190.51
diesel
$5.61
$86.48
$172.96
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$90
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$115–$140
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 137 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
117.5
1
$41.13
$18.80
Efficient EV
97.9
1
$34.27
$15.67
EV Truck/SUV
156.7
1
$54.84
$25.07
Gas CO2
137 kg
EV CO2
46 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 16, 2026
Origin
Maywood, CA
Morning
in Maywood on Friday
Local time
7:59 AM
PDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Sacramento, CA
Morning
in Sacramento on Friday
Local time
7:59 AM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Sunny
NNW 13 to 18 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 10:43AM PDT until April 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 10:32AM PDT until April 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
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
5 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
7h 12m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Maywood, CA to Sacramento, CA covers 391.7 miles and takes about 7h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, Golden State Freeway, I 5 Truck. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 195.8 miles from Maywood, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $90.03 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 391.7 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 32.2 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.1 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 390.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Maywood, CA to Sacramento, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and César E. Chávez National Monument.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
