How far is Willow Creek, CA from Rio Dell, CA?
The driving distance from Willow Creek, CA to Rio Dell, CA is about 73.3 miles (117.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 39.3 miles (63.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 52m 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 01h 26m.
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.
Census-designated place in Humboldt County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Willow Creek and Rio Dell.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Willow Creek and Rio Dell.
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1
Start on Bigfoot Scenic Byway
21 m · 5 sec · Bigfoot Scenic Byway
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2
Turn right onto Trinity Highway
37.6 mi · 43 min · Trinity Highway
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3
Keep slight left
2140 ft · 47 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Redwood Highway
8.5 mi · 11 min · Redwood Highway
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5
Continue on 4th Street
1.5 mi · 4 min · 4th Street
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6
Turn left onto Broadway Street
3 mi · 6 min · Broadway Street
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7
Continue on Redwood Highway
21.5 mi · 25 min · Redwood Highway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward Rio Dell
1038 ft · 25 sec
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9
Keep slight right
94 m · 8 sec
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10
Turn straight onto Wildwood Avenue
2225 ft · 47 sec · Wildwood Avenue
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11
Turn right onto West Davis Street
26 m · 4 sec · West Davis Street
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Davis Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Willow Creek and Rio Dell.
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.
Sunny leaving Willow Creek and Sunny near Rio Dell.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Willow Creek to Rio Dell?
The road trip is about 73.3 miles (117.9 km) and usually takes 01h 26m 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?
McKinleyville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 36.5 miles from Willow Creek and 36.7 miles from Rio Dell.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 39.3 miles (63.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 34 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 3:38 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.15 one way or $32.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Willow Creek and Sunny near Rio Dell.
Stop Ideas Near McKinleyville
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 McKinleyville.
McKinleyville (Arcata Airport), California
Arcata (Transit Center), California
Eureka, California
Fortuna, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Willow Creek and Rio Dell. Straight-line distance: 39.3 mi (63.24 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 Rio Dell
City in Humboldt County, California, United States of America
| Population | 3,363 |
| Coordinates | 40.4993000, -124.1064400 |
| Altitude | 49 |
| Country | United States |
End: West Davis Street (-124.10644, 40.499187)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 118 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $16.15 | $32.31 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $16.77 | $33.53 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $17.26 | $34.52 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $21.71 | $43.41 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026