Cottonwood, CA Road Trips
Drivers starting from Cottonwood, CA have 4 mapped routes to choose from, making it a small but connected base in the Pacific Coast. Routes from here tend to cover serious ground — the average trip runs 433 miles, so plan for multi-day adventures. Most routes from Cottonwood, CA head south, giving the route network a clear directional lean.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Trip Routes
5
Longest Drive
537.9 mi
San Diego, CA
Quickest Drive
5h 56m
Bakersfield, CA
Plan Around Cottonwood, CA
Popular Incoming Routes
Useful if Cottonwood, CA is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.
Continue From Cottonwood, CA
Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.
Trips from Cottonwood, CA
Driving from Cottonwood, CA
Expect an average of 433 miles and about 8h 11m behind the wheel when leaving Cottonwood, CA. This is long-haul territory. Most routes stretch past the 250-mile mark, so pack snacks and plan fuel stops. The longest mapped route runs 538 miles (10h 10m), while the shortest is just 311 miles.
Popular Destinations
Top road trip destinations from Cottonwood, CA are San Diego, CA (537.9 mi, 10h 10m), Riverside, CA (468.2 mi, 8h 51m), Los Angeles, CA (416.9 mi, 7h 46m), and Bakersfield, CA (310.9 mi, 5h 56m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.
Planning & Costs
For the average 433-mile drive from Cottonwood, CA, expect to burn about 17 gallons of fuel one way at 25 MPG. Check local pump prices before you go to lock in your budget.
The majority of destinations are to the south. Morning starts help you avoid the midday heat on longer drives. These are full-day drives. Start by 7 or 8 AM if you want to arrive at a reasonable hour without rushing.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 4 mapped routes leaving Cottonwood, CA and 1 routes heading into Cottonwood, CA, covering 5 total connections. Distances range from 311 to 538 miles.
The longest mapped route from Cottonwood, CA covers 538 miles and takes approximately 10h 10m. Shorter options start at just 311 miles.
The average route from Cottonwood, CA runs about 433 miles with a drive time of roughly 8h 11m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.
The most popular road trip destinations from Cottonwood, CA include San Diego, CA, Riverside, CA, Los Angeles, CA and Bakersfield, CA. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.
Cottonwood, CA by the Numbers
Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Population
3,102
Median Income
$40,339
Median Home Value
$256,400
Median Age
21.7
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.
Traveler Guide to Cottonwood, CA
Cottonwood is a city in Shasta County in the Shasta Cascades region of California.
1 Coleman National Fish Hatchery, 24411 Coleman Fish Hatchery Road. Open for self-guided tours 7:30AM to dusk. The largest salmon hatchery in the lower 48 states, this hatchery has got a lot to offer. The primary adronomous fish that are hatched here include chinook salmon and steelhead trout. Old Town Cottonwood. This area captures the history of Cottonwood very well. A wide variety of events are held here (history-themed, of course).
The closest fishing access is on the Sacramento River, about 8 miles away. You can also go boating, or combine the two. Around Cottonwood, you can also go hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
1 Roger's Frosty, 3309 Main St., ☏ +1 530 347-3417. 10AM–10PM daily.
1 Alamo Motel and RV Park, 3818 Main St., ☏ +1 530 347-3827. 2 Travelers Motel, 3910 Main St., ☏ +1 530 347-3003, [email protected].
The only main way to get into Cottonwood is by car. From the north: On I-5 S, drive down from Redding for 14.4 miles. From the south: On I-5 N, drive up from Sacramento for 144.7 miles.
Cottonwood is small, so it is good to walk, bicycle, or drive a car to get around.
Travel tips adapted from Cottonwood (California) on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.
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