Origin
Fresno, CA
Afternoon in Fresno on Friday
Local time
3:37 PM
PDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fresno, CA to Cotati, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 11, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 26m
Distance
225 mi
362 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$51
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 13m
★
6 AM
4h 27m
8 AM
4h 53m
10 AM
4h 36m
12 PM
4h 33m
3 PM
4h 37m
5 PM
4h 52m
8 PM
4h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fresno, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Cotati, CA
Dominik Gryzbon
Trip Overview
Fresno to Cotati is 225 miles and takes about 4h 26m via Northbound California State Route 99, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily follows CA 99, taking you through the heart of California's Central Valley before heading northwest towards the North Coast region. With 84% of this route being highway, it's a straightforward trip designed for efficient travel. Given its manageable length and single recommended day, this route is a good option for a quick transition between two major California regions.
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
112.5 miles from Fresno, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 13m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Northbound California State Route 99 | 74.7 mi | 1h 27m |
| CA 99 | 30.8 mi | 34m |
| Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway | 29.7 mi | 34m |
| Redwood Highway | 29.1 mi | 34m |
| MacArthur Freeway | 16.7 mi | 19m |
| Robert T. Monagan Freeway | 13.9 mi | 15m |
| John T. Knox Freeway | 12.9 mi | 17m |
| CA 120 | 6.8 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
Northbound California State Route 99
— 74.7 mi, about 1h 27m
Traffic on I-205
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 11 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~3,937 veh/hr typical
Quietest
1 AM
~721 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 16 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 Fresno, CA and Cotati, CA.
1
Start on East Washington Avenue
28 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Washington Avenue
2
Turn right onto North First Street
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
North First Street
3
Turn left onto East Belmont Avenue
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
East Belmont Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward CA 99 North
5
Merge onto CA 99
9.4 mi
·
10 min
·
CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 144
Toward Avenue 7
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto CA 99
21 mi
·
24 min
·
CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 99
75 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
Northbound California State Route 99
Toward CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward CA 120 West: Manteca, San Francisco
10
Merge onto CA 120
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
CA 120
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 5
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Westside Freeway
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 205
14 mi
·
15 min
·
Robert T. Monagan Freeway
13
Continue on I 580
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
8.3 mi
·
9 min
·
MacArthur Freeway
Toward I 580: Oakland, San Francisco
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
8.3 mi
·
9 min
·
MacArthur Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 80; I 580
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Eastshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
13 mi
·
17 min
·
John T. Knox Freeway
Exit 13B
Toward I 580 West: Point Richmond, San Rafael
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
54 sec
Exit 1A
Toward US 101 North: San Rafeal
20
Merge onto US 101
29 mi
·
34 min
·
Redwood Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 481A
Toward West Sierra Avenue, Cotati
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork
108 ft
·
2 sec
Toward Cotati
Use the right lane.
23
Turn right onto West Sierra Avenue
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
West Sierra Avenue
24
Turn left onto La Plaza
295 ft
·
13 sec
·
La Plaza
25
Continue on La Plaza
94 ft
·
4 sec
·
La Plaza
26
Arrive at destination
La Plaza
Trip Plan
For this 4h 26m drive, leaving Fresno in the morning, perhaps around 9 AM, should allow you to reach Cotati with ample daylight. The route is mostly highway, so plan for efficient travel. You'll have one recommended stop, and the longest stretch without an exit is about 75 miles, so ensure you're fueled up before that segment. The fuel cost is estimated at $49. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility with timing, but be aware of potential traffic as you approach the North Bay area.
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 112.5 miles from Fresno, CA, or about 2h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 74.7 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 50 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.5 miles or 2h 13m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cotati, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fresno, 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 Fresno, CA
This is one driving day of about 225 miles and 4h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Fresno, 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 Northbound California State Route 99 for about 74.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
113 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 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 112.5 miles from Fresno, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Northbound California State Route 99 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 74.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 215 decision points cluster between mile 12.7 and 224.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
12.7 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Take the exit toward Avenue 7
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 144
Toward Avenue 7
8
161.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 9m in
|
I 580 / MacArthur Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580 / MacArthur Freeway toward I 580: Oakland, San Francisco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 580: Oakland, San Francisco
9
181.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 32m in
|
I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway toward I 580 West: Point Richmond, San Rafael
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 13B
Toward I 580 West: Point Richmond, San Rafael
8
224.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 24m in
Take the exit toward West Sierra Avenue, Cotati
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 481A
Toward West Sierra Avenue, Cotati
8
224.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 25m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Cotati
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward Cotati
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.26 one way
$102.53 round trip
$5.79/gal
25.4 MPG avg
79 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.96 | $52.79 | $105.57 |
| premium | $6.14 | $54.39 | $108.78 |
| diesel | $5.97 | $52.86 | $105.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-09-07.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 67.5 | 0 | $23.63 | $10.80 |
| Efficient EV | 56.3 | 0 | $19.69 | $9.00 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 90 | 1 | $31.50 | $14.40 |
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Destination
Cotati, CA
Afternoon in Cotati on Friday
Local time
3:37 PM
PDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 26m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of American civilians on the WWII home front. Discover how diverse communities lived, worked, and interacted. Many faces, many stories, many truths...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 186.2
View on nps.gov
Muir Woods National Monument
National Monument
Walk among old growth coast redwoods, cooling their roots in the fresh water of Redwood Creek and lifting their crowns to reach the sun and fog. Federally protected as a National Monument since 1908,...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
$15
near mile 194
View on nps.gov
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park celebrates America’s maritime heritage on the Pacific Coast. Our 50-acre park has grown around Aquatic Park Cove, a protected area...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 178.5
View on nps.gov
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Experience a park so rich it supports 19 distinct ecosystems with over 2,000 plant and animal species. Go for a hike, enjoy a vista, have a picnic or learn about the centuries of overlapping history f...
9 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 194
View on nps.gov
Point Reyes National Seashore
National Seashore
From its thunderous ocean breakers crashing against rocky headlands and expansive sand beaches to its open grasslands, brushy hillsides, and forested ridges, Point Reyes offers visitors over 1500 spec...
18 mi from route
~46 min detour
Free
near mile 209.5
View on nps.gov
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
National Memorial
On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two s...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 186.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 84% of the 225 miles spent on freeways. The longest continuous stretch on the freeway is 74.7 miles along Northbound California State Route 99. You'll experience plenty of freeway cruising, and then transition to surface roads for the final portion of the trip. Expect a good number of exits and entrances as you navigate the urban and suburban areas.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 74.7 mi on Northbound California State Route 99.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Northbound California State Route 99 and CA 99. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 225 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 12.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 161.6 miles (I 580 / MacArthur Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 181.6 miles (I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
437 ft
17 ft
Total Climb
503 ft
Total Descent
705 ft
Highest Point
437 ft
~144.7 mi in
Elevation Range
420 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fresno, CA and Cotati, CA, road signs point toward Avenue 7, San Francisco and San Rafael.
Avenue 7
12.7 mi in
|
~16m
San Francisco
109.2 mi in
|
~2h 8m
San Rafael
181.6 mi in
|
~3h 32m
|
via I 580
About the Cities
Starting 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
Arriving in Cotati, CA
Full guide →Founded 1963
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 26m. Total distance: 225 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 74.7 miles on Northbound California State Route 99. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Cotati, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 12.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 161.6 miles (I 580 / MacArthur Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 181.6 miles (I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park, Muir Woods National Monument and San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Cotati, 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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