How far is Arcata, CA from Stockton, CA?
The driving distance from Arcata, CA to Stockton, CA is about 334.5 miles (538.3 km), with a travel time of about 05h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 250.2 miles (402.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 46m 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 53m.
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.
County seat of Tehama County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Scattered Rain Showers
Slight Chance Light Rain then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Arcata and Stockton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arcata and Stockton.
-
1
Start on the route
90 m · 7 sec
-
2
Merge slight left onto Redwood Highway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Redwood Highway
-
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
-
5
Turn right onto Court Street
888 ft · 25 sec · Court Street
-
6
Turn left onto Tehama Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Tehama Street
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 South: Sacramento
3233 ft · 55 sec
-
8
Merge slight left onto Cascade Wonderland Highway
31.8 mi · 34 min · Cascade Wonderland Highway
-
9
Continue on Westside Freeway
93 mi · 1 hr 40 min · Westside Freeway
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on Westside Freeway
15.7 mi · 17 min · Westside Freeway
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on Westside Freeway
65 mi · 1 hr 12 min · Westside Freeway
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward CA 4
966 ft · 24 sec
-
13
Keep slight left
1.2 km · 2 min
-
14
Keep slight right
1029 ft · 27 sec
-
15
Continue on East Lafayette Street
117 m · 15 sec · East Lafayette Street
-
16
Turn left onto South El Dorado Street
1457 ft · 35 sec · South El Dorado Street
-
17
Continue on North El Dorado Street
1468 ft · 38 sec · North El Dorado Street
-
18
Turn right onto East Fremont Street
36 m · 5 sec · East Fremont Street
-
19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Fremont Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Arcata and Stockton.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
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 Slight Chance Light Rain then Mostly Sunny near Stockton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Arcata to Stockton?
The road trip is about 334.5 miles (538.3 km) and usually takes 05h 53m 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?
Red Bluff is a useful midpoint, sitting about 174.1 miles from Arcata and 160.4 miles from Stockton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 250.2 miles (402.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 84.3 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 5:14 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $68.07 one way or $136.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 104.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Scattered Rain Showers around Arcata and Slight Chance Light Rain then Mostly Sunny near Stockton.
Stop Ideas Near Red Bluff
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 Red Bluff.
Red Bluff, California
Corning, California
Redding station
Redding (RABA Transit Center), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Arcata and Stockton. Straight-line distance: 250.18 mi (402.63 km).
#1 Arcata
City in California
| Population | 18,044 |
| Coordinates | 40.8665200, -124.0828400 |
| Altitude | 7 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Stockton
The fifth most populous city in California and the center of the Stockton metropolitan area.
| Population | 312,716 |
| Coordinates | 37.9577000, -121.2907800 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Fremont Street (-121.290763, 37.957639)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 538 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $68.07 | $136.15 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $71.58 | $143.16 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $73.67 | $147.33 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $89.29 | $178.58 |
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.