Palo Alto to Sacramento: Road Trip Guide & Distance

86.3 miles 138.9 km · straight line
115.9 miles actual route 186.6 km · driving distance
2h 23min estimated drive time
$11 - $14 estimated fuel cost
~40min flight time · usually no direct flights
24° NNE bearing direction

How far is Palo Alto from Sacramento?

The distance from Palo Alto to Sacramento is 86.3 miles (138.9 km) as the crow flies. Sacramento is located NNE of Palo Alto. By car, the driving distance is approximately 115.9 miles, taking about 2h 23min. A direct flight would take roughly 40min. Both are located in United States.

This is a quick and easy drive, perfect for a day trip or weekend getaway. You can easily make the round trip in a single day. Heading East means you'll be driving into the sunrise if you start early. Keep your windshield clean for the best visibility. Given the short distance, driving or taking a train is often faster and more convenient than dealing with airport security and flight boarding times.

Coordinates come from public place data for Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto to Sacramento

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 2h 23min $11 - $14 Flexible stops
Bus ~2h 52min $9–$17* Budget
Train ~2h 16min $14–$41* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Palo Alto & Sacramento

Quick Facts

Palo Alto
37.44°N, 122.14°W
America/Los_Angeles
9m 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 29 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 7 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 288.5 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM