How far is Fresno, CA from Arcata, CA?
The driving distance from Fresno, CA to Arcata, CA is about 471.1 miles (758.1 km), with a travel time of about 09h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 367.1 miles (590.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 18h 02m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 09h 01m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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 Colusa County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fresno and Arcata.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fresno and Arcata.
-
1
Start on East Washington Avenue
9 m · 3 sec · East Washington Avenue
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2
Turn right onto North First Street
968 ft · 23 sec · North First Street
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3
Turn left onto East Belmont Avenue
2.9 mi · 6 min · East Belmont Avenue
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4
Take the ramp right toward CA 99 North
965 ft · 23 sec
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5
Merge slight left
9.4 mi · 11 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward Avenue 7
2522 ft · 31 sec
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7
Merge slight left
21.4 mi · 24 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Northbound California State Route 99
84.6 mi · 1 hr 38 min · Northbound California State Route 99
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9
Continue on Golden State Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Golden State Highway
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10
Continue on Old U.S. Route 99E
1.3 mi · 1 min · Old U.S. Route 99E
-
11
Keep slight left
44.1 mi · 51 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward US 50 West, US 50 East: San Francisco, South Lake Tahoe
2549 ft · 34 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on US 50 West: San Francisco
1.3 km · 1 min
-
14
Continue on Capital City Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Capital City Freeway
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward I 5: Los Angeles, Redding
803 ft · 15 sec
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16
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 North: Redding
1407 ft · 30 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on I 5: Redding
1615 ft · 39 sec
-
18
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
6.7 mi · 8 min · Westside Freeway
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19
Keep slight left to continue on Westside Freeway
120.9 mi · 2 hr 10 min · Westside Freeway
-
20
Continue on Cascade Wonderland Highway
31.6 mi · 34 min · Cascade Wonderland Highway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward CA 44: Eureka, Susanville
915 ft · 16 sec
-
22
Keep slight left to continue on CA 44 West: Eureka, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
1.5 km · 1 min
-
23
Merge slight left
1.2 mi · 2 min
-
24
Turn right onto Pine Street
149 m · 18 sec · Pine Street
-
25
Turn left onto Eureka Way
25 mi · 30 min · Eureka Way
-
26
Continue straight
111.6 mi · 2 hr 11 min
-
27
Keep slight left
2140 ft · 47 sec
-
28
Merge slight left onto Redwood Highway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Redwood Highway
-
29
Take the exit slight right toward Samoa Sunny Brae
1082 ft · 26 sec
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30
Keep slight left to continue on CA 255: Arcata, Sunnybrae
862 ft · 21 sec
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31
Keep slight right
768 ft · 19 sec
-
32
Turn straight onto Samoa Boulevard
102 m · 8 sec · Samoa Boulevard
-
33
Take the ramp straight
1034 ft · 25 sec
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34
Keep slight left
1373 ft · 33 sec
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35
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fresno and Arcata.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Westside Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on Westside Freeway
121 mi · 02h 10m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Sunny leaving Fresno and Mostly Sunny near Arcata.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fresno to Arcata?
The road trip is about 471.1 miles (758.1 km) and usually takes 09h 01m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Williams is a useful midpoint, sitting about 235.6 miles from Fresno and 235.6 miles from Arcata.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 367.1 miles (590.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 104 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 7:30 AM PDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $95.88 one way or $191.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 147.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Fresno and Mostly Sunny near Arcata.
Stop Ideas Near Williams
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Northview Park
City of Colusa
Water Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Williams.
Marysville, California
Oroville, California
Chico station
Davis station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fresno and Arcata. Straight-line distance: 367.11 mi (590.81 km).
#1 Fresno
The fifth most populous city in California and the center of the Fresno metropolitan area.
| Population | 530,267 |
| Coordinates | 36.7477300, -119.7723700 |
| Altitude | 94 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Arcata
City in California
| Population | 18,044 |
| Coordinates | 40.8665200, -124.0828400 |
| Altitude | 7 |
| Country | United States |
End: Arcata (-124.08284, 40.86652)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 758 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 15h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 11h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 09h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 07h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 06h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 52m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $95.88 | $191.76 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $100.82 | $201.63 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $103.76 | $207.52 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $125.76 | $251.53 |
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.