We are a bit farther away but we like to stop in Lost Hills. We usually hit the Love's there for gas, occasionally for snacks (I usually have snacks on hand tho) and a bathroom break. The Denny's there is good too, the service is really fast and it's nice to not eat in the car every time. Lost Hills is a tad over halfway but it's a good place to stop and the gas is not overpriced.
If you're looking for something that is a couple hours South of Sac, there is a town just off I-5 called Santa Nella. Take off the interstate and go LEFT. There are several gas stations, motels, and restaurants (incl. Starbucks). I think most of I-5 is pretty bare and desolate so I don't know of any other places to stop other than Harris Ranch.
I live about 2 hours south of you as well (off 99 around the Merced area). I don't think you'd need to fill up so quickly but just so you know, there is a Costco right on the highway in Modesto, Turlock and Merced.
Fresno would be about 3 hours south of Sac and it's a big town, so there are lots of places to stop there. After Fresno, probably the next decent sized town would be Hanford and then Tulare (home of the famous Tulare Farm Show!). Tulare would probably be about 4 hours into your trip. After that, it's mostly dusty little farm towns until you get into Bakersfield.
When we drive down, we usually stop around the Magic Mountain area in Santa Clarita. It's about 4 hours-ish from me, so add another 2 hours for you. It gets us over a good portion of the Grapevine and we always time it to stop for dinner at Marie Calendars and miss the LA rush hour traffic.
Hope this info helps you. Not sure if I answered your question directly but maybe you can find some tidbit of info that will be helpful!
Our parents live in So Cal so we frequently drive when we need our car with us. Then when we're sticking in one place (like a Disney visit), generally fly rather than put ourselves, our kids, and our car through the drive. We generally start the trip with a full tank (approx. $50 -- if gas is under $3.00/gallon) and fill up once again on the way down. Granted the second tank doesn't get completely used up, but we still have to fill up a third time on our way back up. I also figure the 800 round trip miles definitely take it's toll on the car. Plus, when we drive that trip I usually take it in for an oil change and tire rotation and all that before we go. So, with the gas, miles put on the car, and pre-trip maintance, I find any round trip tickets costing less than $60 to be about the equivelent of driving.
And we would want our own car when we are there so we would then rent something if we fly, so that's another reason we drive. It's just over 400 for miles for us.
You know we do!
