How far is Sacramento, CA from Willow Creek, CA?
The driving distance from Sacramento, CA to Willow Creek, CA is about 260.7 miles (419.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 198.5 miles (319.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 50m 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 04h 55m.
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.
County seat of Tehama County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sacramento and Willow Creek.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sacramento and Willow Creek.
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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
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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
74 mi · 1 hr 28 min
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15
Turn right onto Bigfoot Scenic Byway
21 m · 1 sec · Bigfoot Scenic Byway
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Bigfoot Scenic Byway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sacramento and Willow Creek.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
Sunny leaving Sacramento and Sunny near Willow Creek.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sacramento to Willow Creek?
The road trip is about 260.7 miles (419.5 km) and usually takes 04h 55m 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?
Red Bluff is a useful midpoint, sitting about 130.4 miles from Sacramento and 130.4 miles from Willow Creek.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 198.5 miles (319.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 62.2 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 7:10 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $53.07 one way or $106.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 81.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Sacramento and Sunny near Willow Creek.
Stop Ideas Near Red Bluff
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 Red Bluff.
Red Bluff, California
Corning, California
Redding station
Redding (RABA Transit Center), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sacramento and Willow Creek. Straight-line distance: 198.55 mi (319.53 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 Willow Creek
Census-designated place in Humboldt County, California
| Population | 1,710 |
| Coordinates | 40.9395800, -123.6314400 |
| Altitude | 186 |
| Country | United States |
End: Willow Creek (-123.63144, 40.93958)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 420 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $53.07 | $106.15 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $55.81 | $111.61 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $57.44 | $114.87 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $69.62 | $139.23 |
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 · May 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.