The drive from Sacramento, CA to Bonny Doon, CA covers 152.4 miles and takes about 3h 17m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, Donald D Doyle Highway, CA 17 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 37.2 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $35.03 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
76.2 miles from Sacramento, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 30m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 17m. Total distance: 152.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Sacramento, CA to Bonny Doon, CA covers 152.4 miles and takes about 3h 17m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 37.2 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 1.3 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 15 significant decision points across 152.4 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 1.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
1.3 mi into trip|~2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 50: South Lake Tahoe, San Francisco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 50: South Lake Tahoe, San Francisco
8
1.5 mi into trip|~3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 50 West: San Francisco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 518
Toward US 50 West: San Francisco
8
46.2 mi into trip|~54m in
Take the exit toward I 680: Benicia, San Jose
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 40
Toward I 680: Benicia, San Jose
7
104.4 mi into trip|~2h 2m in
Take the exit toward CA 262
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 12
Toward CA 262
9
104.5 mi into trip|~2h 2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CA 262: Northwestern Polytechnic University, Warm Springs District
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 262: Northwestern Polytechnic Univers...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Sacramento, CA and Bonny Doon, CA, road signs point toward San Jose and Warm Springs District.
San Jose
46.2 mi in|~54m
Warm Springs District
104.5 mi in|~2h 2m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
37.2 mi
42m
Donald D Doyle Highway
32.4 mi
37m
CA 17
20.8 mi
28m
Luther E Gibson Freeway
12.4 mi
14m
Nimitz Freeway
12.1 mi
13m
Benicia-Martinez Bridge
8 mi
9m
Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
4.8 mi
5m
Yolo Causeway
3.9 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 37.2 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sacramento, CA and Bonny Doon, CA.
1
Start on 9th Street
0.5 mi·1 min·9th Street
2
Turn right onto P Street
0.5 mi·1 min·P Street
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward US 50, I 5 South: South Lake Tahoe, San Francisco, Los Angeles
4
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·12 sec
Toward US 50: South Lake Tahoe, San FranciscoUse the slight left lane.
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·39 sec
Exit 518Toward US 50 West: San FranciscoUse the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto US 50; I 80 Business
3.2 mi·3 min·Capital City Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 80
3.9 mi·4 min·Yolo Causeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 80
37 mi·42 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 40Toward I 680: Benicia, San JoseUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 680
12 mi·14 min·Luther E Gibson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 680
8.0 mi·9 min·Benicia-Martinez Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
4.8 mi·5 min·Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 680
1.4 mi·1 min·Donald D Doyle Highway
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
31 mi·35 min·Donald D Doyle Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 12Toward CA 262Use the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward CA 262: Northwestern Polytechnic University, Warm Springs DistrictUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto CA 262
1.5 mi·2 min·Mission Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 880
12 mi·13 min·Nimitz Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on CA 17
21 mi·28 min·CA 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward Granite Creek Road
21
Turn left onto CA 17 Business
1.7 mi·3 min·Scotts Valley Drive
22
Turn right onto Mount Hermon Road
3.1 mi·5 min·Mount Hermon Road
23
Turn right onto Graham Hill Road
0.2 mi·34 sec·Graham Hill Road
24
Continue on Felton Empire Road
3.7 mi·8 min·Felton Empire Road
25
Continue on Ice Cream Grade
2.6 mi·6 min·Ice Cream Grade
26
At end of road, turn left onto Pine Flat Road
1.6 mi·3 min·Pine Flat Road
27
Arrive at destination
Bonny Doon Road
Trip Plan
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 76.2 miles from Sacramento, CA, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.2 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 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.2 miles or 1h 30m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bonny Doon, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sacramento, 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 Sacramento, CA
This is one driving day of about 152.4 miles and 3h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Sacramento, 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 37.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 76.2 mi from Sacramento, CA
· 1h 30m 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
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 63.1
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...
16 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 68.3
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
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 73.6
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,...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
$15
near mile 57.8
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...
29 mi from route
~73 min detour
Free
near mile 57.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.03 one way
$70.06 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg53 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$36.10
$72.19
premium
$6.18
$37.06
$74.12
diesel
$5.61
$33.65
$67.30
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45.7
0
$16.00
$7.32
Efficient EV
38.1
0
$13.33
$6.10
EV Truck/SUV
61
0
$21.34
$9.75
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Sacramento, CA
Morning
in Sacramento on Friday
Local time
8:28 AM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Sunny
NNW 18 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Lake Wind Advisory
Lake Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 2:48PM PDT until April 16 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 2:48PM PDT until April 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Destination
Bonny Doon, CA
Morning
in Bonny Doon on Friday
Local time
8:28 AM
PDT
Current temp
68°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 17m 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 Sacramento, CA to Bonny Doon, CA covers 152.4 miles and takes about 3h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, Donald D Doyle Highway, CA 17. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 76.2 miles from Sacramento, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.03 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 15 significant decision points across 152.4 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 1.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Sacramento, CA and Bonny Doon, CA, road signs point toward San Jose and Warm Springs District.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
