How far is Arcata, CA from Sacramento, CA?
The driving distance from Arcata, CA to Sacramento, CA is about 297.9 miles (479.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 209.4 miles (337 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 41m 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 05h 20m.
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 Shasta County, California, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Scattered Rain Showers
Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Arcata and Sacramento.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arcata and Sacramento.
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1
Start on the route
90 m · 7 sec
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2
Merge slight left onto Redwood Highway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Redwood Highway
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3
Take the exit slight right toward CA 299 East: Blue Lake, Willow Creek
1744 ft · 43 sec
-
4
Continue straight
136.3 mi · 2 hr 40 min
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5
Turn right onto Court Street
888 ft · 25 sec · Court Street
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6
Turn left onto Tehama Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Tehama Street
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 South: Sacramento
3233 ft · 55 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Cascade Wonderland Highway
31.8 mi · 34 min · Cascade Wonderland Highway
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9
Continue on Westside Freeway
93 mi · 1 hr 40 min · Westside Freeway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Westside Freeway
15.7 mi · 17 min · Westside Freeway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Westside Freeway
17.9 mi · 20 min · Westside Freeway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown, J Street
1704 ft · 44 sec
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13
Continue on J Street
822 ft · 25 sec · J Street
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14
Turn left onto 5th Street
814 ft · 19 sec · 5th Street
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15
Turn right onto H Street
1602 ft · 40 sec · H Street
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16
Turn right onto 9th Street
149 m · 15 sec · 9th Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 9th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Arcata and Sacramento.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
CA 299 East
Continue straight
136 mi · 02h 40m
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.
Scattered Rain Showers leaving Arcata and Chance Light Rain near Sacramento.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Arcata to Sacramento?
The road trip is about 297.9 miles (479.4 km) and usually takes 05h 20m 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?
Anderson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 150.2 miles from Arcata and 147.7 miles from Sacramento.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 209.4 miles (337 km), while the road route adds roughly 88.5 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 6:18 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $60.63 one way or $121.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Scattered Rain Showers around Arcata and Chance Light Rain near Sacramento.
Stop Ideas Near Anderson
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Sculpture Park
Redding Electric Utility
Redding City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Anderson.
Redding station
Redding (RABA Transit Center), California
Red Bluff, California
Corning, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Arcata and Sacramento. Straight-line distance: 209.37 mi (336.95 km).
#1 Arcata
City in California
| Population | 18,044 |
| Coordinates | 40.8665200, -124.0828400 |
| Altitude | 7 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Sacramento
The sixth most populous city in California and the center of the Sacramento metropolitan area.
| Population | 512,838 |
| Coordinates | 38.5815700, -121.4944000 |
| Altitude | 9 |
| Country | United States |
End: 9th Street (-121.49442, 38.581575)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 479 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $60.63 | $121.26 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $63.75 | $127.51 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $65.61 | $131.23 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $79.53 | $159.06 |
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.