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Trip from Sacramento, CA to Kenwood, CA

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

1h 43m

Distance

78.6 mi

127 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min
4 AM
1h 36m ★
6 AM
1h 44m
8 AM
1h 59m
10 AM
1h 49m
12 PM
1h 48m
3 PM
1h 50m
5 PM
1h 59m
8 PM
1h 39m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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capital city of the U.S. state of California and seat of Sacramento County

Sacramento, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Kenwood, CA, CA

Kenwood, CA

Atman Bouba

Trip Overview

The drive from Sacramento, CA to Kenwood, CA covers 78.6 miles and takes about 1h 43m 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, Sonoma Highway, CA 12 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 37.9 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.07 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.

Midpoint

39.3 miles from Sacramento, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 43m. Total distance: 78.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

Expect a 1h 43m drive with frequent turns across 78.6 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 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 37.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. 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 Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78.6 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

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 1.9 miles (US 50; I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 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
5
1.9 mi into trip | ~3m in | US 50; I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway

Merge onto US 50; I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
46.8 mi into trip | ~55m in | CA 12

Take the exit onto CA 12

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 39B
7
68.1 mi into trip | ~1h 24m in | CA 12 / West Napa Street

At end of road, turn left onto CA 12 / West Napa Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 37.9 mi 43m
Sonoma Highway 9.5 mi 16m
CA 12 6.7 mi 8m
Carneros Highway 4.4 mi 6m
Napa Road 4.3 mi 6m
Yolo Causeway 3.9 mi 4m
Capital City Freeway 3.2 mi 3m
Saint Helena Highway 2.6 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway — 37.9 mi, about 43m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sacramento, CA and Kenwood, 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 Francisco Use the slight left lane.
5

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 39 sec
Exit 518 Toward US 50 West: San Francisco Use 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

38 mi · 43 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit onto CA 12

6.7 mi · 8 min · CA 12
Exit 39B Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on Airport Boulevard

195 ft · 7 sec · Airport Boulevard
11

Turn right onto CA 29

1.3 mi · 1 min · Napa–Vallejo Highway
12

Continue on CA 12; CA 29

2.6 mi · 3 min · Saint Helena Highway
13

Turn left onto CA 12; CA 121

4.4 mi · 6 min · Carneros Highway
Use the left / uturn lanes.
14

Continue on CA 12; CA 121

0.8 mi · 1 min · Fremont Drive
15

Turn right onto Napa Road

4.3 mi · 6 min · Napa Road
16

Turn right onto CA 12

1.1 mi · 1 min · Broadway
17

At end of road, turn left onto CA 12

0.9 mi · 2 min · West Napa Street
Use the left lane.
18

Turn slight right

383 ft · 13 sec
19

Turn straight onto CA 12

9.5 mi · 16 min · Sonoma Highway
20

Turn left onto Warm Springs Road

94 ft · 2 sec · Warm Springs Road
21

Arrive at destination

Warm Springs Road

Trip Plan

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 39.3 miles from Sacramento, CA, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.9 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 17 miles or 21m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 39.3 miles or 46m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 22m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kenwood, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Sacramento, CA

This is one driving day of about 78.6 miles and 1h 43m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Sacramento, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 37.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 39.3 mi from Sacramento, CA · 46m into the drive

city in Napa County, California, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Napa, CA

39 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

Davis, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Fairfield, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 39.3 miles from Sacramento, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Kenwood, CA

The final approach into Kenwood, CA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial

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...

13 mi from route ~32 min detour Free near mile 46.1
View on nps.gov
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park

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...

22 mi from route ~56 min detour Free near mile 51.5
View on nps.gov
Muir Woods National Monument

Muir Woods National Monument

National Monument

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 ~67 min detour $15 near mile 62.3
View on nps.gov
Point Reyes National Seashore

Point Reyes National Seashore

National Seashore

From its thunderous ocean breakers crashing against rocky headlands and expansive sand beaches to its open grasslands, brushy hillsides, and forested ridges, Point Reyes offers visitors over 1500 spec...

28 mi from route ~70 min detour Free near mile 67.8
View on nps.gov
Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

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 ~74 min detour Free near mile 62.3
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.07 one way

$36.13 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 28 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $18.62 $37.23
premium $6.18 $19.11 $38.23
diesel $5.61 $17.35 $34.71

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 27.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 23.6 0 $8.25 $3.77
Efficient EV 19.7 0 $6.88 $3.14
EV Truck/SUV 31.4 0 $11.00 $5.03

Gas CO2

28 kg

EV CO2

9 kg (68% 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

Sacramento, CA

Evening in Sacramento on Thursday

Local time

7:58 PM

PDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Kenwood, CA

Evening in Kenwood on Thursday

Local time

7:58 PM

PDT

Current temp

--

Unavailable

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.

Road read

1h 43m 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 Kenwood, CA covers 78.6 miles and takes about 1h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, Sonoma Highway, CA 12. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 39.3 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 $18.07 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 78.6 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 1.9 miles (US 50; I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Sacramento, CA to Kenwood, 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 Muir Woods National Monument. There are 5 parks within detour distance of this route.

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