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Can you get from Sacramento to Los Angeles with just $100? Here’s what we found

Jacqueline Pinedo
·4 min read

Los Angeles is a popular destination to travel to from Sacramento, but getting there can sometimes get expensive.

Should you fly, drive or take the good old-fashioned train?

We looked at price points for all three options and tried to stick to a $100 budget. Here’s what we discovered (on Thursday, June 1):

Amtrak

Traveling by train to Los Angeles can be an option.

Yes — the journey will be longer, but it will be more affordable than flying and you won’t have to worry about driving. It takes roughly 14 hours — or eight hours if you take a bus transfer in Bakersfield — to get from Sacramento Valley Train Station to Los Angeles Union Station on Amtrak.

The key is to book in advance to snag affordable tickets. One-way coach tickets (with the bus transfer) can start as low as $48, if you book at least two weeks in advance. Things to consider with coach tickets, according to Amtrak:

  • Tickets are non-refundable

  • Change and cancellation fees are applied

  • Seats provide plenty of leg room

  • Seats include tray table and outlets

A round-trip, assuming you purchase tickets at $48 each-way, will total $96.

According to the Amtrak FAQ page: “The cost of your ticket is the rail fare, plus any accommodations you wish to add to your ticket. We don’t charge additional taxes or fees.”

What are road-trip prices to Los Angeles?

Opting for a road-trip has its pros and cons.

You have the convenience of leaving at your leisure, and the price is comparable to that of taking a train. Driving your personal car does imply wear and tear on your vehicle.

A road-trip to downtown, Los Angeles can take roughly six hours, depending on traffic conditions, and is a total of 386 miles away.

California fuel costs, on average, $4.87 per gallon for regular gas. Your gas costs (or charging costs) will depend on the type of car you drive, of course. Some electric cars can get 300 to 400 miles on a single charge. On average, it costs about $15.50 to fully charge a Tesla, according to Energy Sage.

If you drive a smaller gas-powered car, such as a 2020 Toyota Yaris, it would take approximately one tank of gas to make it to Los Angeles. It’s estimated to get more than 450 miles per tank, and 39 miles per gallon on the highway.

A full tank of gas would cost roughly $56.50, get you there and part of the way back.

Bottom line: You can do this trip under $100, depending on the car you have (and the number of snacks you buy).

Megabus and Greyhound

Taking a bus service to Los Angeles can be the most cost effective option if you plan ahead.

Megabus departs from the Pony Express Statue in Sacramento, and drops off passengers at the El Monte Station — a 30 minute drive from downtown, Los Angeles.

One-way tickets can start as low as $1, if you book in at least a month in advance, otherwise tickets can go up to $69.99 per ticket. The bus service offers three departure times from Sacramento that all vary on duration. Below are the times available, according to Megabus.

  • Leaving Sacramento at 3:05 a.m. will get you to Los Angeles at 2:05 p.m. The trip takes a total of 11 hours.

  • Leaving Sacramento at 10:05 a.m. will get you to Los Angeles at 9:50 p.m. This trip is the longest at 11 hours and 45 minutes.

  • Leaving Sacramento at 7 p.m. will get you to Los Angeles at 5:50 a.m. This overnight trip is the shortest and takes 10 hours and 50 minutes.

If you don’t mind a longer car ride and plan ahead, a round-trip ticket through Megabus can total out to $5.99.

Greyhound is a bit pricier, but ultimately more consistent. If you plan at least two weeks in advance, you can get a one-way ticket for as low as $57 — but that doesn’t get you back to Sacramento under $100.

Flying out of Sacramento International Airport

Flying out of Sacramento International Airport is the quickest way to get to Los Angeles — but flights are not cheap.

A flight to Los Angeles takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. It’s possible to find flights under $100 dollars, but you have to plan in advance.

Southwest Airlines is currently having a low fares summer promotion, where you can find one-way direct flights starting at $94 to Los Angeles International Airport. Lower fares starting at $74 are also available if you fly into Hollywood Burbank Airport, instead.

Round-trip flights into Los Angeles will total anywhere between $148 to $188.

What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@sacbee.com.