Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
5h 7m
Distance
267.9 mi
431 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$62
one way
EV Charging
None
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sacramento, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Templeton, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Planning a trip from Sacramento to Templeton? This 267.9-mile drive will take you approximately 5 hours and 7 minutes, making it a manageable one-day adventure. The route predominantly follows major highways, with 91% of the journey on freeways. Expect a fuel cost of around $62 for this trip. As you travel from the Pacific Coast region to another part of the Pacific Coast, you'll experience a straightforward journey focused on efficient travel. With a single recommended stop, this route is designed for getting you to your destination without unnecessary delays, perfect for a quick getaway or a direct transit.
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
134 miles from Sacramento, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 27m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 7m. Total distance: 267.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This drive is heavily highway-focused, with 91% of the 267.9 miles on freeways. You'll spend most of your time on the Westside Freeway, where the longest uninterrupted stretch measures an impressive 198.5 miles. While the primary roads include Westside Freeway, CA 41, and East Laneva Boulevard, the character remains largely that of a high-speed transit. Expect a consistent pace for the majority of your travel, minimizing complex navigation and maximizing forward momentum.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and CA 41. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.3 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 267.9 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; at 1.8 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 62 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight right at fork toward I 5 South: Los Angeles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 5 / Westside Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Westside Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward CA 269: Lassen Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 101
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 198.5 mi | 3h 34m |
| CA 41 | 45.2 mi | 56m |
| East Laneva Boulevard | 9.3 mi | 12m |
| Skyline Boulevard | 5.6 mi | 8m |
| El Camino Real | 5.1 mi | 5m |
| North Main Street | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| 9th Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| P Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Sacramento, CA and Templeton, CA.
Start on 9th Street
Turn right onto P Street
Take the ramp
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
Take the exit
Turn right onto CA 269
Continue on CA 269
At end of road, turn left onto CA 33
Turn right onto CA 41
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 41
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 41; CA 46
Take the exit
Merge onto US 101; CA 46
Take the exit
Turn left onto North Main Street
Turn right
Arrive at destination
For this 5-hour, 7-minute drive, starting early can help you avoid any potential traffic as you depart Sacramento. The route is designed for efficiency, with only one recommended stop, so plan your breaks strategically. Given the 267.9 miles and predominantly highway profile, ensure your fuel tank is topped off before leaving, as the longest stretch without a break is substantial. The estimated fuel cost of $62 is a good benchmark for budgeting. Since this is a one-day trip, the flexibility of an early start allows you to arrive in Templeton with ample time to settle in.
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 80 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134 miles or 2h 27m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Templeton, 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 267.9 miles and 5h 7m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 134 mi from Sacramento, CA · 2h 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
134 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 134 miles from Sacramento, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 198.5 miles.
The final approach into Templeton, 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 Templeton, 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.
Regular Gas
$61.57 one way
$123.15 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $63.45 | $126.90 |
| premium | $6.18 | $65.15 | $130.30 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $59.15 | $118.30 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$62
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80.4 | 0 | $28.13 | $12.86 |
| Efficient EV | 67 | 0 | $23.44 | $10.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 107.2 | 1 | $37.51 | $17.15 |
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
2:18 PM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Sunny
Destination
Afternoon in Templeton on Thursday
Local time
2:18 PM
PDT
Current temp
43°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
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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