Drive Time
7h 11m
Distance
391 mi
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$53
one way
The drive from Sacramento, CA to Sierra Madre, CA covers 391 miles and takes about 7h 11m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on P Street, US 50, I 5 South for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $53.11 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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
195.5 miles from Sacramento, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 35m into the drive .
Expect a 7h 11m drive with frequent turns across 391 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| P Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 50 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 5 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Westside Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Golden State Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 210 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Foothill Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Rosemead Boulevard North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Sacramento, CA and Sierra Madre, CA.
Start on 9th Street
Turn right onto P Street
Take the ramp straight toward US 50, I 5 South: South Lake Tahoe, San Francisco, Los Angeles
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 South: Los Angeles
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on Westside Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on Westside Freeway
Keep slight right
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
Take the exit slight right toward I 210 East: Pasadena
Continue on Foothill Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
Take the exit slight right toward Rosemead Boulevard North, Michillinda Avenue
Turn left onto East Colorado Boulevard
Turn left onto North Michillinda Avenue
Turn right onto Foothill Boulevard
Turn left onto North Baldwin Avenue
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 86 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 195.5 miles or 3h 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sierra Madre, 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.
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Sacramento, CA
This is one driving day of about 391 miles and 7h 11m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 195.5 mi from Sacramento, CA · 3h 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
196 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 86 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 195.5 miles from Sacramento, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Sierra Madre, 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 Sierra Madre, CA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$53.11 one way
$106.22 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.85 | $59.27 | $118.53 |
| premium | $4.15 | $63.88 | $127.77 |
| diesel | $3.75 | $57.73 | $115.45 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 136.8 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 117.3 | 1 | $41.06 | $18.77 |
| Efficient EV | 97.8 | 1 | $34.21 | $15.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 156.4 | 1 | $54.74 | $25.02 |
Gas CO2
137 kg
EV CO2
46 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Sacramento on Saturday
Local time
3:59 AM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Sierra Madre on Saturday
Local time
3:59 AM
PDT
Current temp
53°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
53°F
Bakersfield, CA
196 mi in
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
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Explore more options from Sacramento, CA or browse trips ending in Sierra Madre, CA.
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