The freeway network at a glance
Sacramento sits where the American River meets the Sacramento River, and the freeways follow the water. Interstate 5 runs north and south beside the Sacramento River. Interstate 80 swings around the north side of the city. US 50 heads east from West Sacramento across downtown toward the foothills. Highway 99 comes up from the south, and Business 80 links US 50 back to I-80 to the northeast.
Swipe sideways to see the whole diagram.
The diagram is a schematic, like a transit map. It shows which way each road heads and the order of the junctions, not real distances. For a map you can zoom, use any online map with a traffic layer, and check Caltrans QuickMap for closures.
The five routes
Interstate 5
I-5
North and south along the west edge of downtown, beside the Sacramento River.
- North: the airport, Woodland and Redding
- South: the Pocket area, west Elk Grove and Stockton
Meets: I-80 in Natomas, Highway 99 north of downtown, US 50 at the south edge of downtown
Interstate 80
I-80
East and west. It skirts the north side of the city instead of going through downtown.
- West: West Sacramento, Davis and the Bay Area
- East: Roseville, Auburn, the Sierra and Reno
Meets: US 50 in West Sacramento, I-5 in Natomas, Business 80 northeast of downtown
US Route 50
US 50
East from West Sacramento, across the river and along the south side of downtown.
- West: ends at I-80 in West Sacramento
- East: Rancho Cordova, Folsom, Placerville and South Lake Tahoe
Meets: I-80 in West Sacramento, I-5 south of downtown, Highway 99 and Business 80 east of downtown
State Route 99
Highway 99
North and south through the Central Valley. Through the middle of Sacramento it shares lanes with US 50 and I-5.
- South: south Sacramento, Elk Grove, Lodi and Fresno
- North: splits from I-5 toward Yuba City
Meets: US 50 and Business 80 east of downtown, I-5 north of downtown
Business 80
Capital City Freeway
North and east from the US 50 junction east of downtown, across the American River.
- South and west: US 50 and Highway 99
- North and east: rejoins I-80 northeast of the city
Meets: US 50 and Highway 99 east of downtown, I-80 northeast of the city
Each route has its own section on the freeways page, and how they connect walks through the junctions where most wrong turns happen.
A driving year in Sacramento
The weather here changes driving more than most people expect. Winter brings rain and thick valley fog, summer brings long stretches of heat, and the mountain routes east of the city can need chains for months. The strip below is a rough guide to when each condition tends to show up.
most common possible. Rough guide only; every year is different.
Guides
The freeways
I-5, I-80, US 50, Highway 99 and Business 80: where each one runs and where it takes you.
How they connect
The handful of junctions that tie the network together, and how to pick your lane early.
Rush hour
When and where commute traffic builds, in general terms, and how to plan around it.
Tule fog
The thick valley fog of winter: what it is, when it forms and how to drive in it.
Summer heat
Hot-weather driving: your car, your passengers and the long valley highways.
Parking downtown
Meters, garages, curb colors and event days near the Capitol and the arena.
Getting a license
The general steps to a California driver license, with the DMV as the final word.
New in town
A first-month checklist for drivers moving to the Sacramento area.
Trips to the mountains
Heading up I-80 or US 50 toward the Sierra, and what winter changes.
How this guide works
Drive Sacramento is an independent guide. We describe roads and conditions in general terms and leave the live details to the people who run them: Caltrans for state highways, the California DMV for licenses and registration, the CHP for enforcement and incidents, and the City of Sacramento for downtown parking. We don't publish traffic statistics, travel times or crash figures, because they change and we can't keep them current. Signs on the road always win over anything you read here.
Common questions
Is this site run by Caltrans or the DMV?
No. Drive Sacramento is an independent guide with no link to any government agency, city or transit operator. We point to official sources so you can check the current rules yourself.
Which freeway goes to the airport?
Sacramento International Airport sits just off I-5, north of the city. From downtown, take I-5 north and follow the airport signs.
Which freeways lead to Lake Tahoe?
Both US 50 and I-80 head into the Sierra Nevada. US 50 goes toward South Lake Tahoe, and I-80 goes over Donner Pass toward Truckee and Reno. Read trips to the mountains before you go in winter.