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Mattole Road, Lost Coast, California
Photo: Islander61 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped

Drives California The North Coast

Mattole Road

Lost Coast, California · Ferndale → Honeydew

Twisty44 mi1 hr 55 min5,300 ft climbHigh point ≈ 1,900 ftOne way
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The drive

Mattole Road is the way into the Lost Coast, California's only coastal wilderness, where no major road comes near the ocean. From Victorian Ferndale it climbs steeply over the Wildcat, the ridges south of town, through high forest and open grassland, to the old stagecoach stop of Capetown.

From there it drops steeply to the sea and touches the ocean at Cape Mendocino, running beside the shore for about six miles before turning inland along the Mattole River to Petrolia, the site of California's first oil wells, and on to Honeydew. Beyond Honeydew the road continues east through Humboldt Redwoods State Park to US 101, but this drive ends at Honeydew.

It's a rough, beautiful road through some of the most seismically active country in the state, with ocean views, sweeping grasslands and a handful of tiny towns.

Along the way

  1. Ferndale (Main Street)
  2. Petrolia
  3. Honeydew
Elevation
5,300 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 1,900 ft
FerndaleHoneydew
Curves
Mostly moderate, with two twisty stretches
FerndaleHoneydew
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • The road is narrow, steep and bumpy in places, and storm repairs often leave one-lane stretches with temporary signals.
  • Services are few and far between: fuel up and bring food and water from Ferndale.
  • Allow plenty of time: the Lost Coast loop from Ferndale through Honeydew and back by US 101 takes about four hours.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Humboldt County Public Works: road conditions.

Questions about this drive

How long does Mattole Road from Ferndale to Honeydew take?

Mattole Road from Ferndale to Honeydew, by way of Cape Mendocino and Petrolia, is 43.5 miles and takes about 1 hour 55 minutes without stops.

Is Mattole Road paved?

Mattole Road is paved, but it's narrow, steep and patched in places, with slide repairs that leave one-lane stretches.

Does Mattole Road go along the ocean?

Yes. Mattole Road reaches the Pacific at Cape Mendocino and runs beside the beach for about six miles before turning inland to Petrolia.

Where does Mattole Road start?

Mattole Road starts in Ferndale, where it's known as the Wildcat, and loops through Petrolia and Honeydew to US 101 near Humboldt Redwoods State Park.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
Preview it in 3DFly the whole drive over satellite and terrain before you go.
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Road conditionsAPEXWet or dry, ice, fog and wind along the road before you go.
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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Mattole Road, from Ferndale to Honeydew