Origin
North Highlands, CA
Evening in North Highlands on Sunday
Local time
7:07 PM
PDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from North Highlands, CA to Sacramento, CA
Drive Time
20m
Distance
11.7 mi
19 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 19m
★
6 AM
0h 21m
8 AM
0h 24m
10 AM
0h 22m
12 PM
0h 21m
3 PM
0h 22m
5 PM
0h 24m
8 PM
0h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sacramento, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
If you are traveling from North Highlands to Sacramento, you are looking at a quick 11.7-mile trip that typically takes about 20 minutes to complete. Because this is a short local transit, it is perfect for a single day and requires no overnight stay. You will spend your time navigating local streets like Don Julio Boulevard, Larchmont Drive, and Walerga Road rather than interstate highways. Budgeting about $2 for fuel should easily cover this drive, making it a very economical commute. Since both cities are located within the Pacific Coast region, you will stay within familiar territory for the duration of your journey. This route is a straightforward option for those needing to move between these two California locations without the hassle of long-distance planning.
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
5.8 miles from North Highlands, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 10m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged with frequent changes in direction rather than a long, monotonous interstate grind. With a 0% highway share, you will be navigating surface streets for the entire 11.7-mile distance. There is no single long stretch on this route, as the longest segment is 0 miles on Don Julio Boulevard, reflecting the highly localized nature of the transit. You should be prepared for a series of intersections and turns that require your full attention throughout the 20-minute duration. This drive is characterized by constant movement through residential and commercial corridors, providing a practical rather than scenic experience behind the wheel.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Don Julio Boulevard 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 North Highlands, CA to Sacramento, CA is easy. At 20m 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 North Highlands, CA to Sacramento, CA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Don Julio Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Larchmont Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Walerga Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Hillsdale Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Madison Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 80 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Dwight D | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Capital City Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Don Julio Boulevard
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Highlands, CA and Sacramento, CA.
1
Start on La Cienega Drive
0.2 mi
·
50 sec
·
La Cienega Drive
2
Turn left onto Don Julio Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Don Julio Boulevard
3
Turn right onto Larchmont Drive
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
Larchmont Drive
4
Turn right onto Walerga Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Walerga Road
5
Turn right onto Hillsdale Boulevard
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Hillsdale Boulevard
6
Turn left onto Madison Avenue
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Madison Avenue
7
Take the ramp slight right toward I 80 West: Sacramento
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
I 80 West: Sacramento
8
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
0.7 mi
·
45 sec
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
9
Keep slight right to continue on Capital City Freeway
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Capital City Freeway
10
Keep slight right to continue on North Sacramento Freeway
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
North Sacramento Freeway
11
Continue on North 12th Street
0.6 mi
·
56 sec
·
North 12th Street
12
Keep slight left to continue on 12th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
12th Street
13
Turn right onto I Street
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
I Street
14
Turn left onto 9th Street
72 ft
·
2 sec
·
9th Street
15
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 20-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours is always a smart move. You will not need to plan for any stops along the way, as the entire route is easily manageable in one go. Keep your $2 fuel budget in mind as you head out, and ensure your vehicle is ready for frequent stops and turns. Because this route relies entirely on local roads like Walerga Road and Larchmont Drive, stay alert for changing speed limits as you transition between neighborhoods. Taking advantage of this short distance allows you to easily fit the drive into a busy schedule without the fatigue associated with longer road trips.
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 5.8 miles from North Highlands, CA, or about 10m 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 11.7 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 5.8 miles or 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 17m
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 North Highlands, 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 North Highlands, CA
This is one driving day of about 11.7 miles and 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from North Highlands, 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 5.8 mi from North Highlands, CA · 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
6 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 11.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 5.8 miles from North Highlands, 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
$2.71 one way
$5.42 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $2.79 | $5.59 |
| premium | $6.24 | $2.88 | $5.75 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $2.60 | $5.20 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.5 | 0 | $1.23 | $0.56 |
| Efficient EV | 2.9 | 0 | $1.02 | $0.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.7 | 0 | $1.64 | $0.75 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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
Evening in Sacramento on Sunday
Local time
7:07 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
25 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
20m 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 North Highlands, CA to Sacramento, CA covers 11.7 miles and takes about 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Don Julio Boulevard, Larchmont Drive, Walerga Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 5.8 miles from North Highlands, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.71 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 North Highlands, CA to Sacramento, CA is easy. At 20m 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 North Highlands, CA to Sacramento, CA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from North Highlands, CA to Sacramento, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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