Origin
Sacramento, CA
Night in Sacramento on Tuesday
Local time
9:55 PM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sacramento, CA to Colfax, CA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
58m
Distance
49.5 mi
80 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 54m
★
6 AM
0h 59m
8 AM
1h 8m
10 AM
1h 2m
12 PM
1h 1m
3 PM
1h 3m
5 PM
1h 8m
8 PM
0h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sacramento, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Colfax, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 49.5-mile drive from Sacramento to Colfax, California, will take you about 58 minutes, making it an easy day trip. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, including the Alan S. Hart Freeway and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with an estimated fuel cost of $11. The route is focused on highway travel, offering a practical way to get from one point to another within the Pacific Coast region. Given its short duration and highway-centric profile, an overnight split isn't necessary; you can easily complete this journey in a single day.
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
24.8 miles from Sacramento, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 29m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for this drive, with 81% of the route utilizing major roadways. The Alan S. Hart Freeway will be your primary companion for the longest stretch, a continuous 32.6-mile segment that keeps you moving efficiently. While largely a highway journey, the road network facilitates a steady pace, minimizing distractions and maximizing forward progress. This profile suggests a drive where maintaining speed and covering ground is the main objective.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Alan S. Hart Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 32.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Alan S. Hart Freeway and Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near J Street.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 49.5 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 0.1 miles (J Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles (US 40 Historic / 16th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles (US 40 Historic / 16th Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
J Street
Turn left onto J Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 40 Historic / 16th Street
Turn left onto US 40 Historic / 16th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
1.2 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 40 Historic / 16th Street
Keep slight left at fork onto US 40 Historic / 16th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
4.4 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway
Merge onto I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
48.9 mi into trip
|
~57m in
Take the exit toward CA 174 West: Colfax, Grass Valley
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 135
Toward CA 174 West: Colfax, Grass Valley
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Alan S. Hart Freeway | 32.6 mi | 37m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 7 mi | 8m |
| Capital City Freeway | 4.9 mi | 5m |
| North Sacramento Freeway | 2.6 mi | 2m |
| 16th Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| J Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| South Auburn Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Colfax Overcrossing | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Alan S. Hart Freeway
— 32.6 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sacramento, CA and Colfax, CA.
1
Start on 9th Street
348 ft
·
16 sec
·
9th Street
2
Turn left onto J Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
J Street
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn left onto US 40 Historic
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
16th Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Keep slight left at fork onto US 40 Historic
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
16th Street
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on North Sacramento Freeway
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
North Sacramento Freeway
Use the straight lane.
6
Merge onto I 80 Business
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Capital City Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 80
7.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 80
33 mi
·
37 min
·
Alan S. Hart Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
401 ft
·
9 sec
Exit 135
Toward CA 174 West: Colfax, Grass Valley
10
Turn right onto Canyon Way
422 ft
·
10 sec
·
Canyon Way
11
Turn right onto Colfax Overcrossing
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Colfax Overcrossing
12
Turn right onto CA 174
306 ft
·
8 sec
·
Colfax Highway
13
Continue on US 40 Hist
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
South Auburn Avenue
14
Turn left onto US 40 Hist
498 ft
·
17 sec
·
Grassvalley Street
15
Turn right onto US 40 Hist
130 ft
·
5 sec
·
South Main Street
16
Turn right
33 ft
·
2 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this short, under-an-hour drive, flexibility is your best friend. You can leave Sacramento any time that suits you, as there are no recommended stops to plan around. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before departing, as the estimated $11 fuel cost is based on the total mileage. The majority of this trip occurs on the Alan S. Hart Freeway, so be aware of typical highway conditions and traffic patterns common to this stretch in California.
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 24.8 miles from Sacramento, CA, or about 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.6 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 49.5 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 24.8 miles or 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Colfax, 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 49.5 miles and 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Sacramento, 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.
The longest stretch is on Alan S. Hart Freeway for about 32.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 24.8 mi from Sacramento, CA · 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
25 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 49.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 24.8 miles from Sacramento, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Colfax, CA
The final approach into Colfax, 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 Colfax, 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
$11.38 one way
$22.75 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $11.72 | $23.45 |
| premium | $6.18 | $12.04 | $24.08 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.93 | $21.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.9 | 0 | $5.20 | $2.38 |
| Efficient EV | 12.4 | 0 | $4.33 | $1.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.8 | 0 | $6.93 | $3.17 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% 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
Colfax, CA
Night in Colfax on Tuesday
Local time
9:55 PM
PDT
Current temp
58°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
10 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
58m 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 Sacramento, CA to Colfax, CA covers 49.5 miles and takes about 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Alan S. Hart Freeway, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, Capital City Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 24.8 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 $11.38 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 49.5 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 0.1 miles (J Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles (US 40 Historic / 16th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles (US 40 Historic / 16th Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Sacramento, CA to Colfax, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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