How far is Arcata, CA from Oakland, CA?
The driving distance from Arcata, CA to Oakland, CA is about 283.7 miles (456.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 232.6 miles (374.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 04h 50m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in California, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Patchy Fog then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Arcata and Oakland.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arcata and Oakland.
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1
Start on the route
90 m · 7 sec
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2
Merge slight left onto Redwood Highway
701 ft · 9 sec · Redwood Highway
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3
Take the exit slight right toward 14th Street
1152 ft · 34 sec
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4
Turn left onto 14th Street
144 m · 20 sec · 14th Street
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5
Take the ramp sharp left
1066 ft · 26 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Redwood Highway
6.7 mi · 9 min · Redwood Highway
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7
Continue on 4th Street
1.5 mi · 4 min · 4th Street
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8
Turn left onto Broadway Street
3 mi · 6 min · Broadway Street
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9
Continue on Redwood Highway
128.9 mi · 2 hr 38 min · Redwood Highway
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10
Continue on Willits Bypass
5.4 mi · 6 min · Willits Bypass
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11
Continue on Redwood Highway
116.2 mi · 2 hr 18 min · Redwood Highway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on John T. Knox Freeway
13.6 mi · 17 min · John T. Knox Freeway
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13
Merge slight left onto Eastshore Freeway
3.8 mi · 5 min · Eastshore Freeway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Interstate Highway 80
1321 ft · 21 sec · Interstate Highway 80
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15
Keep slight left to continue on MacArthur Freeway
2783 ft · 43 sec · MacArthur Freeway
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16
Take the exit slight left toward MacArthur Boulevard, San Pablo Avenue, Emery Street
897 ft · 14 sec
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17
Keep slight right to continue on San Pablo Avenue, Emery Street
637 ft · 12 sec
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18
Turn right onto Watts Street
66 m · 12 sec · Watts Street
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19
Turn right onto Peralta Street
56 m · 12 sec · Peralta Street
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20
Turn left onto 35th Street
886 ft · 23 sec · 35th Street
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21
Turn right onto San Pablo Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · San Pablo Avenue
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22
Turn slight right onto Martin Luther King Junior Way
1758 ft · 1 min · Martin Luther King Junior Way
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23
Turn left onto 14th Street
1636 ft · 1 min · 14th Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 14th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Arcata and Oakland.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Redwood Highway
Continue on Redwood Highway
129 mi · 02h 38m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Arcata and Patchy Fog then Sunny near Oakland.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Arcata to Oakland?
The road trip is about 283.7 miles (456.5 km) and usually takes 04h 50m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Willits is a useful midpoint, sitting about 141.4 miles from Arcata and 142.2 miles from Oakland.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 232.6 miles (374.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 51.1 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:20 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $57.75 one way or $115.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 89 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Arcata and Patchy Fog then Sunny near Oakland.
Stop Ideas Near Willits
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Willits.
Willits, California
Laytonville, California
Ukiah, California
Leggett, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Arcata and Oakland. Straight-line distance: 232.67 mi (374.44 km).
#1 Arcata
City in California
| Population | 18,044 |
| Coordinates | 40.8665200, -124.0828400 |
| Altitude | 7 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Oakland
The third most populous city in California, Oakland is a major center for business, manufacturing, and culture.
| Population | 424,891 |
| Coordinates | 37.8043700, -122.2708000 |
| Altitude | 13 |
| Country | United States |
End: 14th Street (-122.270903, 37.804207)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 456 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 43m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $57.75 | $115.50 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $60.72 | $121.44 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $62.49 | $124.98 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $75.75 | $151.49 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in California · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.