Ames to Sacramento: Road Trip Guide & Distance

1481.2 miles 2383.7 km · straight line
1749.1 miles actual route 2814.9 km · driving distance
29h 36min estimated drive time
$168 - $207 estimated fuel cost
~3h 29min flight time
270° W bearing direction

How far is Ames from Sacramento?

The distance from Ames to Sacramento is 1481.2 miles (2383.7 km) as the crow flies. Sacramento is located W of Ames. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1749.1 miles, taking about 29h 36min. A direct flight would take roughly 3h 29min. Both are located in United States — Ames in Iowa and Sacramento in California.

This is a serious multi-day road trip! We strongly recommend breaking this journey up with an overnight stay to ensure you arrive safely and refreshed. Since you'll be heading mostly West, pack a good pair of sunglasses if you plan to drive during the late afternoon to avoid the harsh sun glare. For a trip of this distance, flying is significantly faster. However, driving offers the flexibility to explore stops along the way.

Coordinates come from public place data for Ames and Sacramento. The driving distance uses an OSRM road-route result when route data is available. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Ames to Sacramento

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 29h 36min $168 - $207 Flexible stops
Fly ~3h 29min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~35h 31min $140–$262* Budget
Train ~38h 29min $210–$612* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Ames & Sacramento

Quick Facts

Ames
42.03°N, 93.62°W
America/Chicago
287m elevation
Sacramento
38.58°N, 121.49°W
America/Los_Angeles
9m elevation
Explore more routes from Sacramento

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 494 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 123 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 16.8 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM