Best Time to Drive from Sacramento to SMF

Right now (10:01 am PDT): about 13 minutes via I-5 North, usually 13 at this time.

On weekdays the 12-mile drive from Sacramento to SMF (via I-5 North) usually takes as little as 12 minutes and up to 19 minutes, when leaving around 5:30 pm on Wednesdays. The fastest times to leave are before 9:30 am or after 7 pm. Midday (11 am to 2 pm) it takes about 13 minutes. On weekends it is slowest around 12 pm on Sundays (13 minutes).

⇄ Reverse trip: SMF to Sacramento

Drive times are measured from downtown Sacramento (the Capitol) (9th Street) to Sacramento International Airport (SMF) along the route shown. Starting or ending elsewhere in a big city can add or save several minutes.

Typical drive time by departure time

Minutes from Sacramento to SMF by day and time you leave (local time)
Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	12	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	15	15	15	12	12	12
Tue	12	12	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	16	18	17	12	12	12
Wed	12	12	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	14	16	18	18	13	12	12
Thu	12	12	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	14	17	19	18	12	12	12
Fri	12	12	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	14	18	18	18	13	12	12
Sat	12	12	12	12	12	12	13	13	13	13	13	12	12	12	12	12	12
Sun	12	12	12	12	12	13	13	13	13	12	13	12	12	12	12	12	12

Simulated from typical freeway speeds at each point of the drive for the time you would reach it, from every 5-minute reading we have recorded. Surface streets at each end are estimated.

Questions

What is the best time to drive from Sacramento to SMF?

On weekdays, leave before 9:30 am or after 7 pm. The drive usually takes about 12 minutes then, versus up to 19 minutes at the worst times.

How long does it take to drive from Sacramento to SMF?

The 12-mile drive usually takes 12 to 19 minutes on weekdays, depending on when you leave, and about 13 minutes midday.

When is traffic worst from Sacramento to SMF?

Leaving around 5:30 pm on Wednesdays is usually slowest, about 19 minutes.

Estimate this drive for any day and departure time →

More drives

SMF to Sacramento (return trip) · Sacramento to Roseville · Sacramento to Elk Grove · Sacramento to Davis · Sacramento to Folsom · Sacramento to San Francisco · Sacramento to Oakland

Open the live traffic map →

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	12	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	15	15	15	12	12	12
Tue	12	12	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	16	18	17	12	12	12
Wed	12	12	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	14	16	18	18	13	12	12
Thu	12	12	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	14	17	19	18	12	12	12
Fri	12	12	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	14	18	18	18	13	12	12
Sat	12	12	12	12	12	12	13	13	13	13	13	12	12	12	12	12	12
Sun	12	12	12	12	12	13	13	13	13	12	13	12	12	12	12	12	12

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	12	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	15	15	15	12	12	12
Tue	12	12	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	16	18	17	12	12	12
Wed	12	12	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	14	16	18	18	13	12	12
Thu	12	12	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	14	17	19	18	12	12	12
Fri	12	12	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	14	18	18	18	13	12	12
Sat	12	12	12	12	12	12	13	13	13	13	13	12	12	12	12	12	12
Sun	12	12	12	12	12	13	13	13	13	12	13	12	12	12	12	12	12

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	12	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	15	15	15	12	12	12
Tue	12	12	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	16	18	17	12	12	12
Wed	12	12	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	14	16	18	18	13	12	12
Thu	12	12	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	14	17	19	18	12	12	12
Fri	12	12	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	14	18	18	18	13	12	12
Sat	12	12	12	12	12	12	13	13	13	13	13	12	12	12	12	12	12
Sun	12	12	12	12	12	13	13	13	13	12	13	12	12	12	12	12	12