How far is Glendale, CA from Arcata, CA?
The driving distance from Glendale, CA to Arcata, CA is about 7.4 miles (11.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 4.2 miles (6.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 17m 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 08m.
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.
Census-designated place in Humboldt County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Slight Chance Light Rain
Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Glendale and Arcata.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Glendale and Arcata.
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1
Start on Glendale Drive
976 ft · 24 sec · Glendale Drive
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2
Continue on Glendale Drive
85 m · 8 sec · Glendale Drive
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3
Take the ramp right
1039 ft · 25 sec
-
4
Merge slight left
3.7 mi · 4 min
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5
Keep slight left
2140 ft · 47 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Redwood Highway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Redwood Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward Samoa Sunny Brae
1082 ft · 26 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on CA 255: Arcata, Sunnybrae
862 ft · 21 sec
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9
Keep slight right
768 ft · 19 sec
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10
Turn straight onto Samoa Boulevard
102 m · 8 sec · Samoa Boulevard
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11
Take the ramp straight
1034 ft · 25 sec
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12
Keep slight left
1373 ft · 33 sec
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Glendale and Arcata.
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.
Glendale Drive
Merge slight left
3.67 mi · 00h 04m
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.
Patchy Fog then Slight Chance Light Rain leaving Glendale and Chance Light Rain near Arcata.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Glendale to Arcata?
The road trip is about 7.4 miles (11.9 km) and usually takes 00h 08m 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?
McKinleyville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 3.7 miles from Glendale and 3.7 miles from Arcata.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 4.2 miles (6.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.2 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 8:12 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.50 one way or $3.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 2.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Slight Chance Light Rain around Glendale and Chance Light Rain near Arcata.
Stop Ideas Near McKinleyville
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 McKinleyville.
McKinleyville (Arcata Airport), California
Arcata (Transit Center), California
Eureka, California
Fortuna, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Glendale and Arcata. Straight-line distance: 4.14 mi (6.66 km).
#1 Glendale
Glendale is a place in California, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 40.8998500, -124.0170100 |
| Altitude | 28 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Arcata
City in California
| Population | 18,044 |
| Coordinates | 40.8665200, -124.0828400 |
| Altitude | 7 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-124.082857, 40.866519)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 12 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $1.50 | $3.00 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $1.58 | $3.15 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $1.62 | $3.25 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $1.97 | $3.93 |
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.