The Cost of Driving From Arcata, California to Santa Cruz, California

Thinking about driving from Arcata to Santa Cruz? Whether you're planning a vacation or visiting family, it's always a good idea to have a sense of the cost of your trip. Fortunately, the cost of driving from Arcata to Santa Cruz is relatively reasonable. Here's what you can expect to pay based on current gas prices.

Route 1: Via US-101 S and CA-17 S

If you take this route, you'll need to follow US-101 S and then take CA-17 S. This is a distance of approximately 278 miles. If you drive without stopping, you can expect the trip to take about 4.5 hours.

For this route, you'll need to budget for gas and potential tolls. Based on current gas prices, you can expect to pay about $38 for gas for this route. Additionally, there is a $7 toll for crossing the Golden Gate Bridge. In total, you can expect to spend around $45 for this route.

Route 2: Via US-101 S and CA-1 S

This route takes you down US-101 S and then on to CA-1 S. It's a bit longer than Route 1, with a distance of approximately 336 miles. If you drive without stopping, you can expect the trip to take about 6 hours.

For this route, you'll also need to budget for gas and potential tolls. Based on current gas prices, you can expect to pay about $47 for gas. However, there are no tolls for this route. In total, you can expect to spend around $47 for this route.

Route 3: Via US-101 S and CA-152 E

Finally, you could take US-101 S and then turn onto CA-152 E. This is the shortest route, with a distance of approximately 225 miles. If you drive without stopping, you can expect the trip to take about 3.5 hours.

You'll still need to budget for gas and potential tolls for this route. Based on current gas prices, you can expect to pay about $31 for gas. Additionally, there is a $6 toll for crossing the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. In total, you can expect to spend around $37 for this route.

Conclusion

Driving from Arcata to Santa Cruz is a great way to see the California coast. While gas prices can fluctuate, you can expect to pay around $45-$47 for the trip, depending on which route you choose. Whether you take Route 1, 2, or 3, you'll get to experience the natural beauty and diverse scenery that California has to offer.