Traveling from Fresno to Union City covers 169 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 22 minutes behind the wheel. Because this route is a straightforward highway-focused drive, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip. You should budget approximately $39 for fuel to complete the journey, which keeps the costs manageable for a solo traveler or a small group. You will remain within the Pacific Coast region for the duration of the trip, transitioning from the Central Valley toward the Bay Area. Since the drive is relatively short, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you have additional plans at your destination. It is a practical, efficient way to connect these two points without unnecessary detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
84.5 miles from Fresno, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 39m 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
28.4 mi
32m
Robert T. Monagan Freeway
13.9 mi
15m
CA 120
6.8 mi
7m
East Belmont Avenue
2.9 mi
5m
Nimitz Freeway
2.7 mi
3m
Jackson Street
1.7 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Northbound California State Route 99
— 74.7 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fresno, CA and Union City, 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 144Toward Avenue 7Use 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 99Use 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
10 mi·11 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 36Toward Redwood RoadUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn left onto Redwood Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Redwood Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on A Street
0.9 mi·1 min·A Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn left onto Mission Boulevard
0.3 mi·44 sec·Mission Boulevard
Use the left lane.
19
Turn slight right onto CA 92
1.7 mi·3 min·Jackson Street
Use the right lane.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·27 sec
Exit 26AToward I 880 South: San JoseUse the slight right lane.
21
Merge onto I 880
1.2 mi·1 min·Nimitz Freeway
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 880
1.5 mi·1 min·Nimitz Freeway
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Exit 24Toward Whipple Road, Dyer StreetUse the slight right lane.
24
Continue on Whipple Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Whipple Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
25
Turn left onto Union City Boulevard
0.7 mi·1 min·Union City Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
26
Turn right onto Cambridge Way
193 ft·8 sec·Cambridge Way
27
Arrive at destination
Cambridge Way
Trip Plan
To ensure a smooth transition into the Bay Area, plan for one strategic stop to break up the 3 hour and 22 minute travel time. Leaving early in the day is your best bet to manage traffic patterns as you approach Union City. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 74.7-mile stretch on CA 99, as consistent highway speeds can increase consumption. Because the trip is only 169 miles, you have plenty of flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal schedule. Prioritize efficiency by checking traffic reports for the Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway before you head out, as this will help you avoid potential congestion during your final leg.
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 84.5 miles from Fresno, CA, or about 1h 39m 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 37 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.5 miles or 1h 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Union City, 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 169 miles and 3h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 12.7 and 167.2 — 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
7
34.5 mi into trip|~41m in|CA 99 / Northbound California State Route 99
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 99 / Northbound California State Route 99 toward CA 99
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 99
7
160.3 mi into trip|~3h 7m in
Take the exit toward Redwood Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 36
Toward Redwood Road
7
164.1 mi into trip|~3h 15m in
Take the exit toward I 880 South: San Jose
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 26A
Toward I 880 South: San Jose
8
167.2 mi into trip|~3h 19m in
Take the exit toward Whipple Road, Dyer Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 24
Toward Whipple Road, Dyer Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.84 one way
$77.69 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$40.03
$80.06
premium
$6.18
$41.10
$82.20
diesel
$5.61
$37.31
$74.63
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.7
0
$17.74
$8.11
Efficient EV
42.3
0
$14.79
$6.76
EV Truck/SUV
67.6
0
$23.66
$10.82
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Fresno, CA
Late night
in Fresno on Tuesday
Local time
5:50 AM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Sunny
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 17 at 11:09AM PDT until April 18 at 8:00AM PDT by NWS Eureka CA
Destination
Union City, CA
Late night
in Union City on Tuesday
Local time
5:50 AM
PDT
Current temp
52°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
25 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
3h 22m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 163.1
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...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
Free
near mile 163.1
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...
25 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 157.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is dominated by high-speed transit, with 94% of your journey spent on major highways. You will spend the bulk of your time on Northbound California State Route 99, which serves as the backbone of the trip. Expect a consistent, fast-paced experience, highlighted by a longest uninterrupted stretch of 74.7 miles on CA 99. As you navigate the Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway, the road maintains its highway-focused personality, prioritizing speed and efficiency over complex terrain. It is a predictable, functional drive that allows you to focus on making steady progress rather than navigating technical or winding backroads.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 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 Effort10/10
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 22 significant decision points across 169 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 34.5 miles (CA 99 / Northbound California State Route 99): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 160.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
430 ft11 ft
Total Climb
403 ft
Total Descent
703 ft
Highest Point
430 ft
~144.8 mi in
Elevation Range
419 ft
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 Union City, CA, road signs point toward Avenue 7 and San Francisco.
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
Union City is a city of 70,000 people (in 2020) in the southern part of the East Bay portion of the San Francisco Bay Area region of California. It is bordered to the north by the city of Hayward and to the south by the city of Fremont. It is part of the Tri-Cities area, which consists of Union City, Fremont, and Newark.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 22m. Total distance: 169 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). 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 Union City, 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 34.5 miles (CA 99 / Northbound California State Route 99): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 160.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Union City, CA, but most travelers stay overnight.
