Highway Patrol Weigh Station
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Colfax, CA to Fresno, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 11m
Distance
216 mi
348 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 58m
★
6 AM
4h 11m
8 AM
4h 37m
10 AM
4h 20m
12 PM
4h 18m
3 PM
4h 22m
5 PM
4h 36m
8 PM
4h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Colfax, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Fresno, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Colfax to Fresno is 216 miles and takes about 4h 11m via CA 99, with a fuel budget near $50 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within California, crossing the Pacific Coast region. It's a straightforward, mostly highway trip that's ideal for a single day of travel. Expect consistent cruising for most of the way. You'll be on the road for just over four hours, making it a manageable distance for a day trip.
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
108 miles from Colfax, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 4m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CA 99 | 106.7 mi | 2h 2m |
| South Sacramento Freeway | 56.8 mi | 1h 5m |
| Alan S. Hart Freeway | 32.3 mi | 37m |
| Capital City Freeway | 9 mi | 9m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 7.1 mi | 8m |
| West Belmont Avenue | 2.9 mi | 5m |
| South Auburn Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North First Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
CA 99
— 106.7 mi, about 2h 2m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 135 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,999 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~331 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colfax, CA and Fresno, CA.
1
Start on this road
33 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto US 40 Hist
130 ft
·
11 sec
·
South Main Street
3
Turn left onto US 40 Hist
498 ft
·
13 sec
·
Grassvalley Street
4
Turn right onto US 40 Hist
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
South Auburn Avenue
5
Continue on CA 174
460 ft
·
10 sec
·
South Auburn Street
6
Enter roundabout
155 ft
·
3 sec
Toward I 80 West
7
Continue
492 ft
·
12 sec
Toward I 80 West
8
Merge onto I 80
32 mi
·
37 min
·
Alan S. Hart Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 80
7.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Capital City Freeway
Exit 95
Toward I 80 Business West: Sacramento
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 Business
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Capital City Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto Capital City Freeway
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
·
Capital City Freeway
Toward CA 99 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on South Sacramento Freeway
57 mi
·
1 hr 5 min
·
South Sacramento Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
107 mi
·
2 hr 2 min
·
CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 134
Toward Belmont Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
16
At end of road, turn left onto West Belmont Avenue
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
West Belmont Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn right onto North First Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
North First Street
18
Turn left onto East Washington Avenue
69 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Washington Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
East Washington Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour drive, leaving in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight. The 216-mile distance means you can comfortably complete it in one day without needing an overnight stop. You'll encounter your longest stretch on CA 99, so plan any stops before or after that segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $50, ensure your tank is full before departing Colfax. Keep an eye on traffic, particularly around Sacramento, as this can affect your arrival time.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 108 miles from Colfax, CA, or about 2h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.7 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 48 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108 miles or 2h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fresno, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Colfax, 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 Colfax, CA
This is one driving day of about 216 miles and 4h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Colfax, 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 CA 99 for about 106.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
108 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 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 108 miles from Colfax, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before CA 99 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 106.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Enoch Christoffersen Rest Area - Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Enoch Christoffersen Rest Area - Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
United Park
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
EZ Trip Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Ahmed's Exxon
0.9 mi from route
Rest Area
1.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 212.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Enter roundabout toward I 80 West
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward I 80 West
8
40 mi into trip
|
~47m in
|
I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway toward I 80 Business West: Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 95
Toward I 80 Business West: Sacramento
6
44.9 mi into trip
|
~52m in
|
I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
48.7 mi into trip
|
~56m in
|
Capital City Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto Capital City Freeway toward CA 99 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 99 South
7
212.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 4m in
Take the exit toward Belmont Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 134
Toward Belmont Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.19 one way
$90.38 round trip
$5.31/gal
25.4 MPG avg
76 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.52 | $46.93 | $93.87 |
| premium | $5.67 | $48.17 | $96.35 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $40.78 | $81.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.8 | 0 | $22.68 | $10.37 |
| Efficient EV | 54 | 0 | $18.90 | $8.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 86.4 | 1 | $30.24 | $13.82 |
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Origin
Colfax, CA
Late night in Colfax on Monday
Local time
1:09 AM
PDT
Current temp
89°F
Sunny
WSW 6 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 12:55PM PDT until July 21 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Destination
Fresno, CA
Late night in Fresno on Monday
Local time
1:09 AM
PDT
Current temp
99°F
Sunny
NW 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 12:55PM PDT until July 21 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
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
10 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 11m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 95% highway, meaning you'll be on high-speed roads for the vast majority of your trip. The longest continuous stretch on CA 99 is 106.7 miles. You'll primarily be on the South Sacramento Freeway and Alan S. Hart Freeway before transitioning to CA 99. Expect a high density of exits and merges as you pass through populated areas, especially around Sacramento.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 106.7 mi on CA 99.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CA 99 and South Sacramento Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 216 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 0.5 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 40 miles (I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 44.9 miles (I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,418 ft
16 ft
Total Climb
331 ft
Total Descent
2,438 ft
Highest Point
2,418 ft
Elevation Range
2,402 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Cafe Capricho
Cafe
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: tex-mex;american
Visit websitePeet's Coffee
Cafe
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Sacramento
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: 06:00-17:30
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Madera, CA
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteThe Bread Store
Cafe
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Sacramento
Cuisine: sandwich
Hours: Mo-Fr 06:30-18:00;Sa 08:00-18:00;Su 08:0...
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Fresno, CA
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteYogurtagogo
Cafe
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Sacramento
Cuisine: frozen_yogurt
Jack in the Box
Fast_food
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Madera, CA
Cuisine: burger
Hours: 24/7
Visit websiteBurger King
Fast_food
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
Madera, CA
Cuisine: burger
Hours: 06:00-24:00
Visit websiteDrunken Noodle
Restaurant
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Sacramento
Cuisine: thai
Visit websitePopeyes
Fast_food
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Livingston, CA
Cuisine: chicken
Hours: 09:00-22:30
Visit websiteJack in the Box
Fast_food
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Fresno, CA
Cuisine: burger
Visit websiteBurger King
Fast_food
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Livingston, CA
Cuisine: burger
Hours: 07:00-22:00
Visit websiteSmud Park
Park
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Riverfront Park
Park
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
East Lawn Childrens Park
Park
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Sunset Park
Park
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Alkali Flat North Historic District
Park
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Alkali Flat Central Historic District
Park
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Rae House Museum
Museum
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
CA
Visit websiteMcHenry Museum
Museum
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Modesto, CA
Visit websiteThe Heart of Livingston
Artwork
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
The California Museum
Museum
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Sacramento, CA
Hours: Tu-Sa 10:00-17:00; Su 12:00-17:00
Visit websiteLeland Stanford Mansion
Museum
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
CA
Visit websiteCalifornia Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Memorial
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Valli Inn Motel
Motel
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Stockton City Motel
Motel
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
The Hotel Fresno
Motel
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
Econo Lodge North Parkway Drive
Motel
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
About the Cities
Starting in Colfax, CA
Full guide →Founded 1910
Colfax is a town in Placer County, California.
Top landmarks
- • Colfax station — railway station in Colfax, California, United States
Arriving in Fresno, CA
Full guide →Founded 1872
Fresno is in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Many visitors find themselves stopping in Fresno on the way to Yosemite National Park, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, or other destinations in the Sierras.
Top landmarks
- • Holy Trinity Church, Fresno — church building in Fresno, United States of America
- • Fresno station — train station in Fresno, California
- • Kearney Park — park in Fresno County, California, United States of America
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 11m. Total distance: 216 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 106.7 miles on CA 99. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Fresno, CA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 40 miles (I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 44.9 miles (I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Fresno, CA, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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