How far is Elk River, CA from Rio Dell, CA?
The driving distance from Elk River, CA to Rio Dell, CA is about 23.7 miles (38.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 16.8 miles (27 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 48m 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 24m.
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 the United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Rain
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elk River and Rio Dell.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elk River and Rio Dell.
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1
Start on Elk River Road
564 ft · 19 sec · Elk River Road
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto Elk River Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · Elk River Road
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto Herrick Avenue
750 ft · 20 sec · Herrick Avenue
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4
Take the ramp left
944 ft · 23 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Redwood Highway
21 mi · 24 min · Redwood Highway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward Rio Dell
1038 ft · 25 sec
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7
Keep slight right
94 m · 8 sec
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8
Turn straight onto Wildwood Avenue
2225 ft · 47 sec · Wildwood Avenue
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9
Turn right onto West Davis Street
26 m · 4 sec · West Davis Street
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10
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Davis Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elk River and Rio Dell.
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
21 mi · 00h 24m
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 Mostly Cloudy then Chance Light Rain near Rio Dell.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elk River to Rio Dell?
The road trip is about 23.7 miles (38.2 km) and usually takes 00h 24m 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?
Fortuna is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.9 miles from Elk River and 11.9 miles from Rio Dell.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 16.8 miles (27 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.9 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 7:42 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.85 one way or $9.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around Elk River and Mostly Cloudy then Chance Light Rain near Rio Dell.
Stop Ideas Near Fortuna
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 Fortuna.
Fortuna, California
Rio Dell-Scotia, California
Eureka, California
Arcata (Transit Center), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elk River and Rio Dell. Straight-line distance: 16.75 mi (26.96 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 Rio Dell
City in Humboldt County, California, United States of America
| Population | 3,363 |
| Coordinates | 40.4993000, -124.1064400 |
| Altitude | 49 |
| Country | United States |
End: West Davis Street (-124.10644, 40.499187)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 38 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $4.85 | $9.69 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $5.10 | $10.19 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $5.24 | $10.49 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $6.36 | $12.71 |
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.