How far is Blue Lake, CA from Elk River, CA?
The driving distance from Blue Lake, CA to Elk River, CA is about 22.2 miles (35.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 14.2 miles (22.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 09m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 34m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Rain
Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Blue Lake and Elk River.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Blue Lake and Elk River.
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1
Start on Blue Lake Boulevard
1.1 km · 2 min · Blue Lake Boulevard
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2
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Blue Lake Boulevard
20 m · 2 sec · Blue Lake Boulevard
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3
Exit the roundabout onto Blue Lake Boulevard
1091 ft · 29 sec · Blue Lake Boulevard
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4
Take the ramp left
819 ft · 20 sec
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5
Continue straight
5.1 mi · 6 min
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6
Keep slight left
2140 ft · 47 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Redwood Highway
8.5 mi · 11 min · Redwood Highway
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8
Continue on 4th Street
900 ft · 29 sec · 4th Street
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9
Turn left onto V Street
603 ft · 14 sec · V Street
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10
Continue on West Avenue
1410 ft · 51 sec · West Avenue
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11
Turn left onto Myrtle Avenue
2636 ft · 55 sec · Myrtle Avenue
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12
Turn right onto Harrison Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Harrison Avenue
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13
Turn right onto Chester Street
659 ft · 25 sec · Chester Street
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14
Turn left onto Dolbeer Street
2176 ft · 1 min · Dolbeer Street
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15
Turn left onto Walnut Drive
3 mi · 5 min · Walnut Drive
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16
Continue on Ridgewood Drive
1.3 mi · 2 min · Ridgewood Drive
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17
Turn left onto Elk River Road
564 ft · 15 sec · Elk River Road
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Elk River Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Blue Lake and Elk River.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Redwood Highway
Merge slight left onto Redwood Highway
8.47 mi · 00h 11m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Chance Light Rain leaving Blue Lake and Chance Light Rain near Elk River.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Blue Lake to Elk River?
The road trip is about 22.2 miles (35.8 km) and usually takes 00h 34m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Arcata is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.1 miles from Blue Lake and 11.1 miles from Elk River.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 14.2 miles (22.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 8 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:20 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.50 one way or $9.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around Blue Lake and Chance Light Rain near Elk River.
Stop Ideas Near Arcata
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 Arcata.
Arcata (Transit Center), California
Eureka, California
McKinleyville (Arcata Airport), California
Fortuna, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Blue Lake and Elk River. Straight-line distance: 14.2 mi (22.86 km).
#1 Blue Lake
City in California
| Population | 1,244 |
| Coordinates | 40.8829100, -123.9839500 |
| Altitude | 40 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Elk River
Elk River is a place in California, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 40.7362400, -124.1742300 |
| Altitude | 20 |
| Country | United States |
End: Elk River (-124.17423, 40.73624)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 36 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $4.50 | $9.00 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $4.73 | $9.46 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $4.87 | $9.74 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $5.90 | $11.80 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.