How far is Sacramento, CA from Arcata, CA?
The driving distance from Sacramento, CA to Arcata, CA is about 301.6 miles (485.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 209.4 miles (337 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 26m 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 43m.
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 Shasta County, California, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Rain
Scattered Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sacramento and Arcata.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sacramento and Arcata.
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1
Start on 9th Street
106 m · 17 sec · 9th Street
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2
Turn left onto J Street
124 m · 14 sec · J Street
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3
Turn left onto 10th Street
128 m · 19 sec · 10th Street
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4
Turn left onto I Street
2081 ft · 45 sec · I Street
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 5 North, CA 99 North: Redding, Yuba City
2290 ft · 56 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
5.6 mi · 7 min · Westside Freeway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Westside Freeway
120.9 mi · 2 hr 10 min · Westside Freeway
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8
Continue on Cascade Wonderland Highway
31.6 mi · 34 min · Cascade Wonderland Highway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward CA 44: Eureka, Susanville
915 ft · 16 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on CA 44 West: Eureka, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
1.5 km · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left
1.2 mi · 2 min
-
12
Turn right onto Pine Street
149 m · 18 sec · Pine Street
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13
Turn left onto Eureka Way
25 mi · 30 min · Eureka Way
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14
Continue straight
111.6 mi · 2 hr 11 min
-
15
Keep slight left
2140 ft · 47 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Redwood Highway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Redwood Highway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Samoa Sunny Brae
1082 ft · 26 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on CA 255: Arcata, Sunnybrae
862 ft · 21 sec
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19
Keep slight right
768 ft · 19 sec
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20
Turn straight onto Samoa Boulevard
102 m · 8 sec · Samoa Boulevard
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21
Take the ramp straight
1034 ft · 25 sec
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22
Keep slight left
1373 ft · 33 sec
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sacramento 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.
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.
Chance Light Rain leaving Sacramento and Scattered Rain Showers near Arcata.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sacramento to Arcata?
The road trip is about 301.6 miles (485.4 km) and usually takes 05h 43m 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?
Anderson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 150.8 miles from Sacramento and 150.8 miles from Arcata.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 209.4 miles (337 km), while the road route adds roughly 92.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:34 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $61.38 one way or $122.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 94.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around Sacramento and Scattered Rain Showers near Arcata.
Stop Ideas Near Anderson
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Sculpture Park
Redding Electric Utility
Redding City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Anderson.
Redding station
Redding (RABA Transit Center), California
Red Bluff, California
Corning, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sacramento and Arcata. Straight-line distance: 209.37 mi (336.95 km).
#1 Sacramento
The sixth most populous city in California and the center of the Sacramento metropolitan area.
| Population | 512,838 |
| Coordinates | 38.5815700, -121.4944000 |
| Altitude | 9 |
| 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: 485 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $61.38 | $122.76 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $64.54 | $129.08 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $66.43 | $132.85 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $80.51 | $161.03 |
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.