The drive from Santa Ana, CA to Crescent City, CA covers 759.7 miles and takes about 14h 50m behind the wheel.
It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on Redwood Highway, Westside Freeway, Saint Helena Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is long-distance drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 266.7 miles on Redwood Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $174.61 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
4 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
379.9 miles from Santa Ana, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 7h into the drive
.
Long-distance drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
At 759.7 miles and 14h 50m of driving, this is a route where fuel stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single turn. The main roads are Redwood Highway and Westside Freeway.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 54 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Redwood Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 266.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
At 14h 50m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 56.6 miles in near I 5 Truck.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 39 significant decision points across 759.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 56.6 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 378.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 378.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 39 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
56.6 mi into trip|~1h 7m in|I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 161A
Toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
8
378.7 mi into trip|~6h 58m in
Take the exit toward I 680 South, I 680 North: San Jose, Sacramento, Concord, Walnut Creek
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 44B
Toward I 680 South, I 680 North: San Jose, Sacr...
9
378.8 mi into trip|~6h 58m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 680 North: Walnut Creek, Concord, Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 680 North: Walnut Creek, Concord, Sacr...
8
399.4 mi into trip|~7h 22m in|I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway toward I 680 North: Martinez, Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 680 North: Martinez, Sacramento
8
414.2 mi into trip|~7h 39m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 East: Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 80 East: Sacramento
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Santa Ana, CA and Crescent City, CA, road signs point toward San Francisco, Sacramento, Concord, Walnut Creek, Novato and Auto Mall.
San Francisco
342.2 mi in|~6h 17m|via I 580
Sacramento
378.7 mi in|~6h 58m
Concord
378.7 mi in|~6h 58m
Walnut Creek
378.7 mi in|~6h 58m
Novato
417 mi in|~7h 43m
Auto Mall
417 mi in|~7h 43m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Redwood Highway
266.7 mi
5h 31m
Westside Freeway
225.6 mi
4h 1m
Saint Helena Highway
51.2 mi
59m
Golden State Freeway
50 mi
57m
I 5 Truck
37.7 mi
43m
Santa Ana Freeway
26.9 mi
31m
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
19.6 mi
22m
William Elton Brown Freeway
17 mi
18m
Longest stretch:
Redwood Highway
— 266.7 mi, about 5h 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Ana, CA and Crescent City, CA.
1
Start on West 1st Street
0.1 mi·15 sec·West 1st Street
2
Turn right onto North Broadway
1.5 mi·2 min·North Broadway
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Turn right onto West Santa Clara Avenue
0.1 mi·14 sec·West Santa Clara Avenue
4
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·26 sec·this road
Toward I 5 North: Los AngelesUse the left / straight / right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 5
8.9 mi·10 min·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
18 mi·20 min·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
25 mi·29 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
2.2 mi·2 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
1.5 mi·1 min·I 5 Truck
Exit 161AToward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 TruckUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
36 mi·41 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
22 mi·25 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
226 mi·4 hr 1 min·Westside Freeway
Toward I 5 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
16 mi·17 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
Toward I 580 West: Tracy, San Francisco
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580 Bypass
1.1 mi·1 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
15
Merge onto I 580
18 mi·20 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
1.6 mi·1 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·16 sec
Exit 44BToward I 680 South, I 680 North: San Jose, Sacramento, Concord, Walnut CreekUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·30 sec
Toward I 680 North: Walnut Creek, Concord, SacramentoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 680
15 mi·17 min·Donald D Doyle Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 680
5.0 mi·5 min·Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Toward I 680, CA 24Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 680
6.0 mi·6 min·Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Toward I 680 North: Martinez, SacramentoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 680
243 ft·3 sec·Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
1.8 mi·2 min·Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Use the slight right lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 780
6.7 mi·7 min·I 780
Toward I 780: BeniciaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: SacramentoUse the slight right lane.
26
Keep slight left at fork
448 ft·11 sec
Toward I 80 East: SacramentoUse the slight left lane.
27
Merge onto I 80
2.7 mi·3 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 33Toward CA 37: Napa, Novato, Auto Mall, Columbus ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward CA 37: NapaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on CA 37
1.5 mi·1 min·CA 37
Toward CA 37Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 19Toward CA 29: Napa, Sonoma BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Turn right onto CA 29
1.6 mi·1 min·Sonoma Boulevard
Use the right lane.
33
Continue on CA 29
4.0 mi·4 min·Broadway Street
Use the straight lane.
34
Continue on CA 29
1.3 mi·1 min·Napa–Vallejo Highway
Use the left lane.
35
Continue on CA 12; CA 29
22 mi·25 min·Saint Helena Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Continue on CA 29; CA 128
2.4 mi·2 min·Main Street
37
Continue on CA 29; CA 128
6.8 mi·7 min·Saint Helena Highway
38
Continue on CA 128
1.4 mi·1 min·Foothill Boulevard
39
Continue on CA 128
16 mi·18 min·Saint Helena Highway
40
Continue on CA 128
6.6 mi·7 min·Saint Helena Highway
41
At end of road, turn right onto CA 128
0.9 mi·1 min·Geyserville Avenue
42
Turn left onto CA 128
359 ft·6 sec·Canyon Road
43
Take the exit onto CA 128
0.3 mi·39 sec·CA 128
44
Merge onto US 101; CA 128
55 mi·1 hr 7 min·Redwood Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
45
Continue on US 101
4.5 mi·5 min·Willits Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Take the exit
0.7 mi·48 sec
47
Merge onto US 101
0.2 mi·16 sec·Willits Bypass
48
Continue on US 101
129 mi·2 hr 38 min·Redwood Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
49
Continue on US 101
2.9 mi·6 min·Broadway Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
50
Turn right onto US 101
1.4 mi·3 min·West 5th Street
51
Continue on US 101
83 mi·1 hr 46 min·Redwood Highway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
52
Continue on US 101
0.5 mi·1 min·M Street
53
Turn left onto 9th Street
0.3 mi·45 sec·9th Street
54
Arrive at destination
9th Street
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 4 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 379.9 miles from Santa Ana, CA, or about 7h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 266.7 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 167 miles or 3h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 379.9 miles or 7h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 379.9 miles or 7h
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 13h 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Crescent City, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Santa Ana, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Santa Ana, CA
Aim for roughly 380 miles and 7.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Crescent City, CA
Aim for roughly 380 miles and 7.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 167 miles from Santa Ana, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 4 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Redwood Highway for about 266.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 379.9 mi from Santa Ana, CA
· 7h into the drive
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $80 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
227.9
2
$79.77
$36.47
Efficient EV
189.9
2
$66.47
$30.39
EV Truck/SUV
303.9
3
$106.36
$48.62
Gas CO2
266 kg
EV CO2
89 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Santa Ana, CA
Night
in Santa Ana on Friday
Local time
11:15 PM
PDT
Current temp
55°F
Mostly Clear
S 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 17 at 7:10PM PDT until April 18 at 8:00AM PDT by NWS Eureka CA
Destination
Crescent City, CA
Night
in Crescent City on Friday
Local time
11:15 PM
PDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
8 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
14h 50m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Santa Ana, CA to Crescent City, CA covers 759.7 miles and takes about 14h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Redwood Highway, Westside Freeway, Saint Helena Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 380 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 379.9 miles from Santa Ana, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $174.61 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 4 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 39 significant decision points across 759.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 56.6 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 378.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 378.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Santa Ana, CA and Crescent City, CA, road signs point toward San Francisco, Sacramento, Concord, Walnut Creek, Novato and Auto Mall.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
