Sacramento to Universal City is 374.8 miles and takes about 6 hours 55 minutes via Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck, with a fuel budget near $86 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive stays within California, moving from the Pacific Coast region down to another part of the Pacific Coast. Given its 99% highway share, expect a straightforward journey primarily on major freeways. It's a manageable trip for a single day, perfect if you want to get to your destination efficiently without needing an overnight stop.
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
187.4 miles from Sacramento, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 24m into the drive
.
Sacramento is the state capital of California in the United States. It is the regional center for the Greater Sacramento metropolitan area, which dominates much of the surrounding Sacramento Valley and stretches into parts of Gold Country.
Sacramento is the oldest incorporated city in California, settled between the confluences of the Sacramento and American rivers. The city has been the site of many important historic events that have shaped California and U.S. history, most notably the California Gold Rush and location of the original terminus of the First Transcontinental Railroad. Much of this historical legacy has been preserved, especially in the historic Old Sacramento district, where buildings and railroads from that era continue to attract visitors.
However, Sacramento is not a city that is stuck in the past. As the capital of the most populous U.S.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 55m. Total distance: 374.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 55m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This route is almost entirely highway driving, with a 99% highway share contributing to its profile. You'll spend most of your time on the Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, and Hollywood Freeway, making for a consistent pace. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 296.7 miles on the Westside Freeway, so be prepared for extended periods of high-speed travel. The character of the drive is predominantly that of a major freeway corridor, designed for efficient transit between these two California locations.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 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 296.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck. 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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 374.8 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 62 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 361 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
1.3 mi into trip|~2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 5 South: Los Angeles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 5 South: Los Angeles
6
62 mi into trip|~1h 10m 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.
8
361 mi into trip|~6h 35m in|I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 405 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 158
Toward I 405 South
7
366.5 mi into trip|~6h 41m in
Take the exit toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 153B
Toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
7
372.1 mi into trip|~6h 47m in
Take the exit toward Riverside Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 6A
Toward Riverside Drive
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
296.7 mi
5h 19m
I 5 Truck
63.9 mi
1h 13m
Hollywood Freeway
5.1 mi
5m
Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi
4m
Riverside Drive
0.9 mi
1m
Lankershim Boulevard
0.8 mi
1m
James Stewart Avenue
0.6 mi
2m
9th Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 296.7 mi, about 5h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sacramento, CA and Universal City, 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 right at fork
0.5 mi·37 sec
Toward I 5 South: Los AngelesUse the slight right lane.
5
Merge onto I 5
59 mi·1 hr 5 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi·48 sec·Westside Freeway
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
237 mi·4 hr 13 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
0.3 mi·17 sec·I 5 Truck
Exit 158Toward I 405 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
5.3 mi·6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·32 sec
Exit 153BToward CA 170 South: HollywoodUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on CA 170
5.1 mi·5 min·Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·37 sec
Exit 6AToward Riverside DriveUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn left onto Riverside Drive
369 ft·9 sec·Riverside Drive
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on Riverside Drive
0.9 mi·1 min·Riverside Drive
17
Turn right onto Lankershim Boulevard
0.8 mi·1 min·Lankershim Boulevard
18
Turn left onto James Stewart Avenue
0.6 mi·2 min·James Stewart Avenue
19
Turn right
33 ft·2 sec
20
Turn slight right
296 ft·22 sec
21
Turn left onto Cylon Drive
201 ft·15 sec·Cylon Drive
22
Turn right
83 ft·9 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 6 hour 55 minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Sacramento to make the most of daylight and potentially bypass some traffic. With a total distance of 374.8 miles and a fuel cost estimated at $86, planning for one stop is sufficient. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 296.7 miles on the Westside Freeway, so ensure you're fueled up before beginning that segment. Given it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but staying aware of freeway conditions, especially as you approach the Los Angeles area, is key.
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 187.4 miles from Sacramento, CA, or about 3h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 296.7 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 82 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 187.4 miles or 3h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Universal City, 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 374.8 miles and 6h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 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 296.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 187.4 mi from Sacramento, CA
· 3h 24m into the drive
The midpoint is around 187.4 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 296.7 miles.
Arriving in Universal City, CA
The final approach into Universal City, 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 Universal City, 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultura...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 361.9
Yes, we can! Widely recognized as the most important Latino leader in the United States during the twentieth century, Cesar Chavez led farm workers and supporters in the establishment of the country's...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 297.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$86.14 one way
$172.29 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg131 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$88.77
$177.54
premium
$6.18
$91.15
$182.29
diesel
$5.61
$82.75
$165.50
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$86
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$111–$136
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 131.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
112.4
1
$39.35
$17.99
Efficient EV
93.7
1
$32.80
$14.99
EV Truck/SUV
149.9
1
$52.47
$23.99
Gas CO2
131 kg
EV CO2
44 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 Friday
Local time
3:50 PM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Sunny
NNW 13 to 18 mph0% chanceLive 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
Universal City, CA
Afternoon
in Universal City on Friday
Local time
3:50 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 55m 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 Universal City, CA covers 374.8 miles and takes about 6h 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, Hollywood 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 187.4 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 $86.14 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 18 significant decision points across 374.8 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 1.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 62 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 361 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Sacramento, CA to Universal City, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and César E. Chávez National Monument.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
