Origin
Sacramento, CA
Afternoon in Sacramento on Thursday
Local time
1:01 PM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 2m
Distance
139.8 mi
225 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sacramento, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Redwood Valley, CA
John Hanson
The drive from Sacramento, CA to Redwood Valley, CA covers 139.8 miles and takes about 3h 2m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on CA 20, Westside Freeway, East Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 78.7 miles on CA 20. At current regular gas prices, budget about $32.13 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
69.9 miles from Sacramento, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 20m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 2m. Total distance: 139.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.
This is a 3h 2m highway drive covering 139.8 miles, with most of the trip on CA 20 and Westside Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 78.7 miles on CA 20.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CA 20 and Westside Freeway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near J Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 2m drive. You will face about 14 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (J Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (10th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (I Street): Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto J Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto 10th Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto I Street
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward I 5 North, CA 99 North: Redding, Yuba City
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Westside Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Sacramento, CA to Redwood Valley, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Clear Lake along the way.
Clear Lake
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CA 20 | 78.7 mi | 1h 53m |
| Westside Freeway | 57.9 mi | 1h 3m |
| East Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| I Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Off-Road State Highway 20 Circle | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 10th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| J Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| 9th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Sacramento, CA and Redwood Valley, CA.
Start on 9th Street
Turn left onto J Street
Turn left onto 10th Street
Turn left onto I Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
Take the exit
Turn left onto CA 20
Enter roundabout onto CA 20
Continue on CA 20
Enter roundabout onto CA 20
Continue on CA 20
Enter roundabout onto CA 20
Continue on CA 20
Turn right onto 144
At end of road, turn right onto East Road
Arrive at destination
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.
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 31 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69.9 miles or 1h 20m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Redwood Valley, CA than in the middle of the route.
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 139.8 miles and 3h 2m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 69.9 mi from Sacramento, CA · 1h 20m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
70 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.
A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 69.9 miles from Sacramento, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before CA 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.7 miles.
The final approach into Redwood Valley, 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 Redwood Valley, CA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$32.13 one way
$64.26 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $33.11 | $66.22 |
| premium | $6.18 | $34.00 | $68.00 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.87 | $61.73 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.9 | 0 | $14.68 | $6.71 |
| Efficient EV | 35 | 0 | $12.23 | $5.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 55.9 | 0 | $19.57 | $8.95 |
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Sacramento on Thursday
Local time
1:01 PM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Redwood Valley on Thursday
Local time
1:01 PM
PDT
Current temp
42°F
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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