How far is Elk River, CA from Blue Lake, CA?
The driving distance from Elk River, CA to Blue Lake, CA is about 21.5 miles (34.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 14.2 miles (22.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 02m 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 31m.
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 Elk River and Blue Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elk River and Blue Lake.
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1
Start on Elk River Road
564 ft · 20 sec · Elk River Road
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Ridgewood Drive
1.3 mi · 2 min · Ridgewood Drive
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3
Continue on Walnut Drive
3 mi · 5 min · Walnut Drive
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4
At the end of the road, turn right onto Hemlock Street
72 m · 6 sec · Hemlock Street
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5
Continue on Dolbeer Street
1940 ft · 55 sec · Dolbeer Street
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6
Turn right onto Chester Street
659 ft · 23 sec · Chester Street
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7
Turn left onto Harrison Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Harrison Avenue
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8
At the end of the road, turn left onto Myrtle Avenue
2636 ft · 55 sec · Myrtle Avenue
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9
Turn right onto West Avenue
1410 ft · 48 sec · West Avenue
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10
Continue on V Street
62 m · 4 sec · V Street
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11
Turn right onto Redwood Highway
8.7 mi · 12 min · Redwood Highway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward CA 299 East: Blue Lake, Willow Creek
1744 ft · 43 sec
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13
Continue straight
5.1 mi · 6 min
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14
Take the exit slight right
49 m · 4 sec
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15
Continue straight
682 ft · 17 sec
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16
Keep slight right
124 m · 10 sec
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17
Continue on Blue Lake Boulevard
125 m · 11 sec · Blue Lake Boulevard
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Blue Lake Boulevard
25 m · 2 sec · Blue Lake Boulevard
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19
Exit the roundabout onto Blue Lake Boulevard
1.1 km · 2 min · Blue Lake Boulevard
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Blue Lake Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elk River and Blue Lake.
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
Turn right onto Redwood Highway
8.67 mi · 00h 12m
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 Elk River and Chance Light Rain near Blue Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elk River to Blue Lake?
The road trip is about 21.5 miles (34.6 km) and usually takes 00h 31m 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 Elk River and 10.4 miles from Blue Lake.
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 7.3 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:28 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.38 one way or $8.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around Elk River and Chance Light Rain near Blue Lake.
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 Elk River and Blue Lake. Straight-line distance: 14.2 mi (22.86 km).
#1 Elk River
Elk River is a place in California, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 40.7362400, -124.1742300 |
| Altitude | 20 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Blue Lake
City in California
| Population | 1,244 |
| Coordinates | 40.8829100, -123.9839500 |
| Altitude | 40 |
| Country | United States |
End: Old California State Route 299 (-123.983912, 40.882999)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 35 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 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 | $4.38 | $8.77 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $4.61 | $9.22 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $4.74 | $9.49 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $5.75 | $11.50 |
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.