How far is Stockton, CA from Arcata, CA?
The driving distance from Stockton, CA to Arcata, CA is about 348.8 miles (561.3 km), with a travel time of about 06h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 250.2 miles (402.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 12m 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 06h 36m.
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.
County seat of Tehama County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Light Rain then Mostly Sunny
Scattered Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Stockton and Arcata.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Stockton and Arcata.
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1
Start on East Fremont Street
36 m · 8 sec · East Fremont Street
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2
Turn right onto North El Dorado Street
758 ft · 25 sec · North El Dorado Street
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3
Turn left onto East Park Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · East Park Street
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4
Continue straight
1692 ft · 41 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
52.2 mi · 58 min · Westside Freeway
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6
Keep slight left to continue on Westside Freeway
120.9 mi · 2 hr 10 min · Westside Freeway
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7
Continue on Cascade Wonderland Highway
31.6 mi · 34 min · Cascade Wonderland Highway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward CA 44: Eureka, Susanville
915 ft · 16 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on CA 44 West: Eureka, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
1.5 km · 1 min
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10
Merge slight left
1.2 mi · 2 min
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11
Turn right onto Pine Street
149 m · 18 sec · Pine Street
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12
Turn left onto Eureka Way
25 mi · 30 min · Eureka Way
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13
Continue straight
111.6 mi · 2 hr 11 min
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14
Keep slight left
2140 ft · 47 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Redwood Highway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Redwood Highway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Samoa Sunny Brae
1082 ft · 26 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on CA 255: Arcata, Sunnybrae
862 ft · 21 sec
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18
Keep slight right
768 ft · 19 sec
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19
Turn straight onto Samoa Boulevard
102 m · 8 sec · Samoa Boulevard
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20
Take the ramp straight
1034 ft · 25 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 Stockton 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.
Slight Chance Light Rain then Mostly Sunny leaving Stockton 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 Stockton to Arcata?
The road trip is about 348.8 miles (561.3 km) and usually takes 06h 36m 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?
Red Bluff is a useful midpoint, sitting about 174.4 miles from Stockton and 174.4 miles from Arcata.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 250.2 miles (402.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 98.6 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 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 $71.02 one way or $142.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 109.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Light Rain then Mostly Sunny around Stockton and Scattered Rain Showers near Arcata.
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 Stockton and Arcata. Straight-line distance: 250.18 mi (402.63 km).
#1 Stockton
The fifth most populous city in California and the center of the Stockton metropolitan area.
| Population | 312,716 |
| Coordinates | 37.9577000, -121.2907800 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| 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: 561 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 58m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $71.02 | $142.03 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $74.67 | $149.34 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $76.85 | $153.70 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $93.15 | $186.30 |
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.