Origin
Stockton, CA
Afternoon in Stockton on Tuesday
Local time
12:56 PM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Stockton, CA to McKinleyville, CA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
6h 38m
Distance
348 mi
560 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$80
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 26m
★
6 AM
6h 38m
8 AM
7h 2m
10 AM
6h 47m
12 PM
6h 44m
3 PM
6h 48m
5 PM
7h 1m
8 PM
6h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Stockton, CA
Wikimedia Commons
McKinleyville, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
The drive from Stockton, CA to McKinleyville, CA covers 348 miles and takes about 6h 38m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Westside Freeway, CA 299, Cascade Wonderland Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 173.2 miles on Westside Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $79.99 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
174 miles from Stockton, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 11m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 6h 38m highway drive covering 348 miles, with most of the trip on Westside Freeway and CA 299. The longest continuous stretch is about 173.2 miles on Westside Freeway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Westside Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 173.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and CA 299. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near East Park Street.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 348 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 0.2 miles (East Park Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 53.8 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 206.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Park Street
Turn left onto East Park Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
53.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
|
I 5 / Westside Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Westside Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
206.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 46m in
Take the exit toward CA 44: Eureka, Susanville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 678
Toward CA 44: Eureka, Susanville
7
206.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 46m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CA 44 West: Eureka, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 678
Toward CA 44 West: Eureka, Whiskeytown National...
7
348 mi into trip
|
~6h 38m in
Turn right
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Stockton, CA and McKinleyville, CA, road signs point toward Susanville and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area.
Susanville
206.4 mi in
|
~3h 46m
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
206.6 mi in
|
~3h 46m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 173.2 mi | 3h 8m |
| CA 299 | 109.8 mi | 2h 9m |
| Cascade Wonderland Highway | 31.6 mi | 34m |
| Eureka Way | 25 mi | 29m |
| Central Avenue | 2 mi | 4m |
| North Bank Road | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| CA 44 | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| East Park Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 173.2 mi, about 3h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Stockton, CA and McKinleyville, CA.
1
Start on East Fremont Street
117 ft
·
7 sec
·
East Fremont Street
2
Turn right onto North El Dorado Street
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
North El Dorado Street
3
Turn left onto East Park Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East Park Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
4
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
this road
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
Merge onto I 5
52 mi
·
58 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
121 mi
·
2 hr 10 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 5
32 mi
·
34 min
·
Cascade Wonderland Highway
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 678
Toward CA 44: Eureka, Susanville
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 678
Toward CA 44 West: Eureka, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
10
Merge onto CA 44
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
CA 44
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn right onto CA 44; CA 273; US 99 Hist
489 ft
·
17 sec
·
Pine Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Turn left onto CA 44; CA 273; US 99 Hist
25 mi
·
29 min
·
Eureka Way
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on CA 299
110 mi
·
2 hr 9 min
·
CA 299
14
Take the exit onto 2
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
2
15
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 200
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
North Bank Road
16
Turn right onto US 101 BUS
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Central Avenue
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn right
87 ft
·
8 sec
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn right
55 ft
·
9 sec
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Turn left
12 ft
·
0 sec
20
Arrive at destination
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 174 miles from Stockton, CA, or about 3h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 173.2 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 174 miles or 3h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near McKinleyville, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Stockton, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Stockton, CA
This is one driving day of about 348 miles and 6h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Stockton, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 173.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 174 mi from Stockton, CA · 3h 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
174 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 174 miles from Stockton, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 173.2 miles.
Arriving in McKinleyville, CA
The final approach into McKinleyville, CA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around McKinleyville, CA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$79.99 one way
$159.97 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
122 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $82.42 | $164.85 |
| premium | $6.18 | $84.63 | $169.26 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $76.83 | $153.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$80
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$105–$130
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 121.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 104.4 | 1 | $36.54 | $16.70 |
| Efficient EV | 87 | 0 | $30.45 | $13.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 139.2 | 1 | $48.72 | $22.27 |
Gas CO2
122 kg
EV CO2
41 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
McKinleyville, CA
Afternoon in McKinleyville on Tuesday
Local time
12:56 PM
PDT
Current temp
45°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.
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
6 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 38m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Stockton, CA to McKinleyville, CA covers 348 miles and takes about 6h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, CA 299, Cascade Wonderland Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 174 miles from Stockton, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $79.99 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 1 meaningful break 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 15 significant decision points across 348 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 0.2 miles (East Park Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 53.8 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 206.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Stockton, CA and McKinleyville, CA, road signs point toward Susanville and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area.
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