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Trip from Sacramento, CA to Pine Hills, CA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

6h 2m

Distance

313 mi

504 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$72

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 49m ★
6 AM
6h 2m
8 AM
6h 28m
10 AM
6h 11m
12 PM
6h 9m
3 PM
6h 12m
5 PM
6h 27m
8 PM
5h 54m

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 Pine Hills, CA, CA

Pine Hills, CA

David McElwee

Trip Overview

The drive from Sacramento, CA to Pine Hills, CA covers 313 miles and takes about 6h 2m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Westside Freeway, CA 299, Cascade Wonderland Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 126.6 miles on Westside Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $71.94 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

156.5 miles from Sacramento, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 50m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 2m. Total distance: 313 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 2m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Drive Character

This is a 6h 2m highway drive covering 313 miles, with most of the trip on Westside Freeway and CA 299. The longest continuous stretch is about 126.6 miles on Westside Freeway.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 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 126.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and CA 299. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near I Street.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 313 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 0.2 miles (I Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.7 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | I Street

Turn left onto I Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in

Take the ramp toward I 5 North, CA 99 North: Redding, Yuba City

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 5 North, CA 99 North: Redding, Yuba Ci...
6
6.7 mi into trip | ~9m in | I 5 / Westside Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Westside Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
159.4 mi into trip | ~2h 53m in

Keep slight left at fork toward CA 44 West: Eureka, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 678 Toward CA 44 West: Eureka, Whiskeytown National...
7
307.4 mi into trip | ~5h 50m in | V Street

Turn left onto V Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

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 Pine Hills, CA, road signs point toward Susanville and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area.

Susanville

159.3 mi in | ~2h 53m

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

159.4 mi in | ~2h 53m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Westside Freeway 126.6 mi 2h 16m
CA 299 111.6 mi 2h 11m
Cascade Wonderland Highway 31.6 mi 34m
Eureka Way 25 mi 29m
Redwood Highway 8.5 mi 11m
Walnut Drive 3 mi 5m
Harrison Avenue 1.2 mi 2m
CA 44 1.2 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Westside Freeway — 126.6 mi, about 2h 16m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sacramento, CA and Pine Hills, CA.

1

Start on 9th Street

348 ft · 16 sec · 9th Street
2

Turn left onto J Street

406 ft · 14 sec · J Street
3

Turn left onto 10th Street

419 ft · 18 sec · 10th Street
4

Turn left onto I Street

0.4 mi · 44 sec · I Street
Use the left lane.
5

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 55 sec
Toward I 5 North, CA 99 North: Redding, Yuba City Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Merge onto I 5

5.6 mi · 6 min · Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

121 mi · 2 hr 10 min · Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on I 5

32 mi · 34 min · Cascade Wonderland Highway
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 15 sec
Exit 678 Toward CA 44: Eureka, Susanville
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min
Exit 678 Toward CA 44 West: Eureka, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
11

Merge onto CA 44

1.2 mi · 1 min · CA 44
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Turn right onto CA 44; CA 273; US 99 Hist

489 ft · 17 sec · Pine Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
13

Turn left onto CA 44; CA 273; US 99 Hist

25 mi · 29 min · Eureka Way
Use the left lane.
14

Continue on CA 299

112 mi · 2 hr 11 min · CA 299
15

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 47 sec
16

Merge onto US 101

8.5 mi · 11 min · Redwood Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Continue on US 101

0.2 mi · 29 sec · 4th Street
18

Turn left onto V Street

0.1 mi · 14 sec · V Street
Use the left lane.
19

Continue on West Avenue

0.3 mi · 51 sec · West Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
20

Turn left onto Myrtle Avenue

0.5 mi · 55 sec · Myrtle Avenue
21

Turn right onto Harrison Avenue

1.2 mi · 2 min · Harrison Avenue
22

Turn right onto Chester Street

0.1 mi · 25 sec · Chester Street
23

Turn left onto Dolbeer Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Dolbeer Street
24

Turn left onto Walnut Drive

3.0 mi · 5 min · Walnut Drive
25

Arrive at destination

Walnut Drive

Trip Plan

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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 156.5 miles from Sacramento, CA, or about 2h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 126.6 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 69 miles or 1h 16m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 156.5 miles or 2h 50m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 49m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pine Hills, 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 313 miles and 6h 2m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 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 Westside Freeway for about 126.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 156.5 mi from Sacramento, CA · 2h 50m into the drive

town in Shasta County, California, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Shasta, CA

157 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

Esparto, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 69 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Redding, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 156.5 miles from Sacramento, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 126.6 miles.

Arriving in Pine Hills, CA

The final approach into Pine Hills, 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 Pine Hills, CA.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$71.94 one way

$143.88 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 110 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $74.13 $148.27
premium $6.18 $76.12 $152.24
diesel $5.61 $69.11 $138.21

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$72

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$97–$122

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 109.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 93.9 1 $32.86 $15.02
Efficient EV 78.3 0 $27.39 $12.52
EV Truck/SUV 125.2 1 $43.82 $20.03

Gas CO2

110 kg

EV CO2

37 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

Sacramento, CA

Afternoon in Sacramento on Thursday

Local time

4:13 PM

PDT

Current temp

68°F

Sunny

NNW 13 to 18 mph 0% chance Live 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

Destination

Pine Hills, CA

Afternoon in Pine Hills on Thursday

Local time

4:13 PM

PDT

Current temp

55°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

13 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

6h 2m 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 Sacramento, CA to Pine Hills, CA covers 313 miles and takes about 6h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, CA 299, Cascade Wonderland Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 156.5 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 $71.94 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 1 meaningful break 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 20 significant decision points across 313 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 0.2 miles (I Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.7 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Sacramento, CA and Pine Hills, CA, road signs point toward Susanville and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area.

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