How far is Willow Creek, CA from Arcata, CA?
The driving distance from Willow Creek, CA to Arcata, CA is about 40.9 miles (65.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 24.1 miles (38.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 35m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 47m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Light Rain
Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Willow Creek and Arcata.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Willow Creek and Arcata.
-
1
Start on Bigfoot Scenic Byway
21 m · 5 sec · Bigfoot Scenic Byway
-
2
Turn right onto Trinity Highway
37.6 mi · 43 min · Trinity Highway
-
3
Keep slight left
2140 ft · 47 sec
-
4
Merge slight left onto Redwood Highway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Redwood Highway
-
5
Take the exit slight right toward Samoa Sunny Brae
1082 ft · 26 sec
-
6
Keep slight left to continue on CA 255: Arcata, Sunnybrae
862 ft · 21 sec
-
7
Keep slight right
768 ft · 19 sec
-
8
Turn straight onto Samoa Boulevard
102 m · 8 sec · Samoa Boulevard
-
9
Take the ramp straight
1034 ft · 25 sec
-
10
Keep slight left
1373 ft · 33 sec
-
11
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Willow Creek 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.
Trinity Highway
Turn right onto Trinity Highway
37.6 mi · 00h 43m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Light Rain leaving Willow Creek 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 Willow Creek to Arcata?
The road trip is about 40.9 miles (65.9 km) and usually takes 00h 47m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Blue Lake is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.4 miles from Willow Creek and 20.5 miles from Arcata.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 24.1 miles (38.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:54 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.37 one way or $16.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Light Rain around Willow Creek and Chance Light Rain near Arcata.
Stop Ideas Near Blue Lake
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 Blue Lake.
Arcata (Transit Center), California
McKinleyville (Arcata Airport), California
Eureka, California
Fortuna, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Willow Creek and Arcata. Straight-line distance: 24.11 mi (38.8 km).
#1 Willow Creek
Census-designated place in Humboldt County, California
| Population | 1,710 |
| Coordinates | 40.9395800, -123.6314400 |
| Altitude | 186 |
| 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: 66 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $8.37 | $16.73 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $8.80 | $17.59 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $9.05 | $18.10 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $10.97 | $21.94 |
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.