Origin
Montague, CA
Night in Montague on Thursday
Local time
11:26 PM
PDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Montague, CA to Macdoel, CA
Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
1h 11m
Distance
51.8 mi
83 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 6m
★
6 AM
1h 12m
8 AM
1h 23m
10 AM
1h 16m
12 PM
1h 15m
3 PM
1h 16m
5 PM
1h 22m
8 PM
1h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Montague, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Macdoel, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
This 51.8-mile journey from Montague to Macdoel, California, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 11 minutes to complete. The route primarily utilizes US 97 and the 99-97 Cutoff, with a portion on Montague Grenada Road, offering a mixed driving experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $12, this drive is quite budget-friendly. As both the origin and destination are within the Pacific Coast region, you'll experience a consistent regional feel throughout your short drive. Consider this a straightforward and efficient way to travel between these two Northern California communities.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 11m. Total distance: 51.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (54%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
The character of this drive is a blend, with 54% of the journey taking place on highways. You'll encounter a 27.9-mile stretch on US 97, which is the longest uninterrupted segment, likely offering a consistent pace. The route then transitions, incorporating the 99-97 Cutoff and Montague Grenada Road, suggesting a shift from faster highway speeds to potentially more local road conditions. This mixed profile means you'll experience varied driving environments on your way to Macdoel.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 9 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 97 is the longest continuous segment at about 27.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CA 3; A28 / South 11th Street.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Montague, CA to Macdoel, CA is easy. At 1h 11m with 54% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CA 3; A28 / South 11th Street): Navigation decision point; at 6 miles (A12 / 99-97 Cutoff): Navigation decision point; at 23.8 miles (US 97): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CA 3; A28 / South 11th Street
Turn right onto CA 3; A28 / South 11th Street
Navigation decision point
4
6 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
A12 / 99-97 Cutoff
Turn left onto A12 / 99-97 Cutoff
Navigation decision point
4
23.8 mi into trip
|
~39m in
|
US 97
At end of road, turn left onto US 97
Navigation decision point
4
51.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
|
Mount Pitt Road
Turn right onto Mount Pitt Road
Navigation decision point
5
51.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
|
Alvarado Street
Turn left onto Alvarado Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 97 | 27.9 mi | 31m |
| 99-97 Cutoff | 17.8 mi | 28m |
| Montague Grenada Road | 5.7 mi | 10m |
| South 11th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Mount Pitt Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Alvarado Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Juniper Knoll Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| West Webb Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 97
— 27.9 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Montague, CA and Macdoel, CA.
1
Start on West Webb Street
35 ft
·
3 sec
·
West Webb Street
2
Turn right onto CA 3; A28
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
South 11th Street
3
Continue on A28
5.7 mi
·
10 min
·
Montague Grenada Road
4
Turn left onto A12
18 mi
·
28 min
·
99-97 Cutoff
5
At end of road, turn left onto US 97
28 mi
·
31 min
·
US 97
6
Turn right onto Juniper Knoll Road
115 ft
·
6 sec
·
Juniper Knoll Road
7
Turn right onto Mount Pitt Road
379 ft
·
22 sec
·
Mount Pitt Road
8
Turn left onto Alvarado Street
224 ft
·
9 sec
·
Alvarado Street
9
Arrive at destination
Alvarado Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 25.9 mi from Montague, CA · 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
26 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Arriving in Macdoel, CA
The final approach into Macdoel, CA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.91 one way
$23.81 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $12.27 | $24.54 |
| premium | $6.18 | $12.60 | $25.19 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.44 | $22.87 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$12
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.5 | 0 | $5.44 | $2.49 |
| Efficient EV | 13 | 0 | $4.53 | $2.07 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.7 | 0 | $7.25 | $3.32 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Macdoel, CA
Night in Macdoel on Thursday
Local time
11:26 PM
PDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
21 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 11m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Montague, CA to Macdoel, CA covers 51.8 miles and takes about 1h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 97, 99-97 Cutoff, Montague Grenada Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 25.9 miles from Montague, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.91 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Montague, CA to Macdoel, CA is easy. At 1h 11m with 54% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CA 3; A28 / South 11th Street): Navigation decision point; at 6 miles (A12 / 99-97 Cutoff): Navigation decision point; at 23.8 miles (US 97): Navigation decision point.
The route from Montague, CA to Macdoel, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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