Drives California The North Coast
Avenue of the Giants
Avenue of the Giants · Phillipsville → Pepperwood
The drive
The Avenue of the Giants is a stretch of old US 101, now Highway 254, that runs beside the freeway and the Eel River through Humboldt Redwoods State Park. The park holds the largest remaining old-growth redwood forest in the world, and the Avenue is how most people see it: a slow, shaded two-lane with the trees at the road's edge.
It's driven north from Phillipsville, the way most visitors arrive from the Bay Area. The road passes through a string of small towns, Phillipsville, Miranda, Myers Flat, Weott, Redcrest and Pepperwood, with memorial groves, river access and the Shrine Drive-Thru Tree at Myers Flat along the way. The park's visitor center is on the Avenue between Myers Flat and Weott, and Founders Grove is about four miles past it.
Freeway exits at most of the towns mean you can join or leave it almost anywhere, but the whole run from end to end is the way to feel how big this forest is.
Along the way
- Phillipsville (US-101)
- Myers Flat
- Humboldt Redwoods Visitor Center
- Pepperwood (US-101)
Good to know
- Slide removal can bring one-way traffic control just north of Weott; check Caltrans before you go.
- The Avenue itself is free to drive; there's a state park day-use fee at the park's developed day-use areas.
- The Humboldt Redwoods Visitor Center is open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from May to September, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from October to April.
- Dogs aren't allowed on the park's trails, except service animals.
Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Caltrans: Highway 254 conditions.
Questions about this drive
How long does it take to drive the Avenue of the Giants?
The Avenue of the Giants from Phillipsville to Pepperwood is 29 miles and takes about 1 hour 15 minutes without stops. Most people take much longer, stopping at the groves.
Is there a fee to drive the Avenue of the Giants?
No. The Avenue of the Giants is a public highway, Highway 254. Humboldt Redwoods State Park charges a day-use fee at its developed day-use areas.
Where does the Avenue of the Giants start?
The Avenue of the Giants runs parallel to US 101 from Phillipsville in the south to Pepperwood in the north, with US 101 exits at both ends and at most towns between.
Where is Founders Grove on the Avenue of the Giants?
Founders Grove is on the Avenue of the Giants at about mile marker 20.5, around four miles north of the Humboldt Redwoods Visitor Center near Weott.
Is the Avenue of the Giants open year-round?
Yes, Humboldt Redwoods State Park and the Avenue of the Giants are open year-round, though roadwork and slides bring one-way traffic control at times.
What you get in the app
Free on iPhone and Android. CarPlay and Android Auto come with Apex.
More drives near here
Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.