How far is Oakland, CA from Arcata, CA?
The driving distance from Oakland, CA to Arcata, CA is about 282.2 miles (454.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 232.6 miles (374.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 43m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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 05h 51m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Oakland and Arcata.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oakland and Arcata.
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1
Start on 14th Street
2014 ft · 1 min · 14th Street
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2
Turn right onto Castro Street
1078 ft · 35 sec · Castro Street
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3
Take the ramp straight toward I 980 East, CA 24: Walnut Creek, San Francisco, Hayward
1047 ft · 26 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto John B. Williams Freeway
1975 ft · 26 sec · John B. Williams Freeway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 580: San Francisco, Hayward
1575 ft · 38 sec
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 580 West: San Francisco, MacArthur Freeway
3092 ft · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left onto MacArthur Freeway
1.7 mi · 2 min · MacArthur Freeway
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8
Continue on Eastshore Freeway
3.3 mi · 4 min · Eastshore Freeway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on John T. Knox Freeway
12.9 mi · 17 min · John T. Knox Freeway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on US 101 North: San Rafeal
1.1 km · 54 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Redwood Highway
116.3 mi · 2 hr 18 min · Redwood Highway
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12
Continue on Willits Bypass
4.5 mi · 5 min · Willits Bypass
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13
Take the exit slight right
1.1 km · 48 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Willits Bypass
1236 ft · 16 sec · Willits Bypass
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15
Continue on Redwood Highway
128.9 mi · 2 hr 38 min · Redwood Highway
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16
Continue on Broadway Street
2.9 mi · 6 min · Broadway Street
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17
Turn right onto West 5th Street
1.4 mi · 4 min · West 5th Street
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18
Continue on Redwood Highway
6.1 mi · 9 min · Redwood Highway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward CA 255: Arcata, Sunnybrae
968 ft · 24 sec
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20
Keep slight left
934 ft · 23 sec
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21
Keep slight left
1373 ft · 33 sec
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Oakland and Arcata.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Redwood Highway
Continue on Redwood Highway
129 mi · 02h 38m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Patchy Fog then Sunny leaving Oakland 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 Oakland to Arcata?
The road trip is about 282.2 miles (454.2 km) and usually takes 05h 51m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Willits is a useful midpoint, sitting about 141.1 miles from Oakland and 141.1 miles from Arcata.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 232.6 miles (374.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.6 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 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:16 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $57.46 one way or $114.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 88.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Sunny around Oakland and Mostly Sunny near Arcata.
Stop Ideas Near Willits
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 Willits.
Willits, California
Laytonville, California
Ukiah, California
Leggett, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Oakland and Arcata. Straight-line distance: 232.67 mi (374.44 km).
#1 Oakland
The third most populous city in California, Oakland is a major center for business, manufacturing, and culture.
| Population | 424,891 |
| Coordinates | 37.8043700, -122.2708000 |
| Altitude | 13 |
| 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: 454 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $57.46 | $114.92 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $60.42 | $120.83 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $62.18 | $124.36 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $75.37 | $150.73 |
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.