Origin
Hayward, CA
Late night in Hayward on Tuesday
Local time
3:20 AM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hayward, CA to Fresno, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 11m
Distance
162.1 mi
261 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 59m
★
6 AM
3h 11m
8 AM
3h 35m
10 AM
3h 19m
12 PM
3h 17m
3 PM
3h 21m
5 PM
3h 33m
8 PM
3h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hayward, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Fresno, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 162.1-mile drive from Hayward, CA, to Fresno, CA, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 11 minutes. Primarily utilizing CA 99, you'll be on a highway for 96% of the trip, making it a focused drive with an estimated fuel cost of $37. This route is ideal as a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. The general feel is efficient, connecting two points within the Pacific Coast region. If you're looking for a no-fuss way to get from the Bay Area to the Central Valley, this route is a solid choice.
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
81.1 miles from Hayward, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 35m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CA 99 | 105.8 mi | 2h 1m |
| Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway | 28.2 mi | 32m |
| Robert T. Monagan Freeway | 14.6 mi | 16m |
| CA 120 | 6.2 mi | 7m |
| West Belmont Avenue | 2.9 mi | 5m |
| Westside Freeway | 1 mi | 1m |
| A Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Redwood Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
CA 99
— 105.8 mi, about 2h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hayward, CA and Fresno, CA.
1
Start on Mission Boulevard
234 ft
·
9 sec
·
Mission Boulevard
2
Turn right
181 ft
·
14 sec
3
Turn slight right onto CA 92
240 ft
·
7 sec
·
Jackson Street
4
Continue on Foothill Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Foothill Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
5
Turn right onto A Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
A Street
Use the right lane.
6
Continue on Redwood Road
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
Redwood Road
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 580 East: Stockton
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 580
10 mi
·
11 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 205
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Robert T. Monagan Freeway
Toward I 205 East: Tracy, Stockton
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 205
11 mi
·
11 min
·
Robert T. Monagan Freeway
12
Merge onto I 5
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Westside Freeway
13
Take the exit
469 ft
·
6 sec
Toward CA 120 East: Manteca, Sonora
14
Continue on CA 120
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
CA 120
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 6
Toward CA 99 South: Modesto, Fresno
Use the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto CA 99
106 mi
·
2 hr 1 min
·
CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 134
Toward Belmont Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
18
At end of road, turn left onto West Belmont Avenue
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
West Belmont Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Turn right onto North First Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
North First Street
20
Turn left onto East Washington Avenue
69 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Washington Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
East Washington Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 11-minute duration, this trip is best tackled as a single-day excursion. Aim to depart Hayward in the morning, perhaps before 9 AM, to avoid heavier traffic and maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 105.8 miles, you can plan for a single fuel and rest break. Consider stopping around the halfway point on CA 99 for convenience. The estimated fuel cost of $37 suggests that planning your fill-up strategically, perhaps before you leave Hayward or upon arrival in Fresno, could be beneficial. Keep an eye on traffic conditions, especially as you approach the Fresno 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 81.1 miles from Hayward, CA, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.8 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 36 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.1 miles or 1h 35m 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 35m
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 Hayward, 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 Hayward, CA
This is one driving day of about 162.1 miles and 3h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Hayward, 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 105.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
81 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 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 81.1 miles from Hayward, 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 105.8 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 165 decision points cluster between mile 1.8 and 158.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.8 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the ramp toward I 580 East: Stockton
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 580 East: Stockton
6
12.5 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
I 580 / Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580 / Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
30.3 mi into trip
|
~37m in
|
I 205 / Robert T. Monagan Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 205 / Robert T. Monagan Freeway toward I 205 East: Tracy, Stockton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 205 East: Tracy, Stockton
8
52.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m in
Take the exit toward CA 99 South: Modesto, Fresno
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 6
Toward CA 99 South: Modesto, Fresno
7
158.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 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
$37.26 one way
$74.51 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
57 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $38.39 | $76.79 |
| premium | $6.18 | $39.42 | $78.84 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.79 | $71.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.6 | 0 | $17.02 | $7.78 |
| Efficient EV | 40.5 | 0 | $14.18 | $6.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.8 | 0 | $22.69 | $10.37 |
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Destination
Fresno, CA
Late night in Fresno on Tuesday
Local time
3:20 AM
PDT
Current temp
54°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
14 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 11m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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
Park Closure: Hyde Street Pier Closure
Caution: Sick Birds and Wildlife, H5N1
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
~56 min detour
Free
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...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 5.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 162.1-mile journey. You'll spend most of your time on CA 99, which forms the backbone of this route. The Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway and Robert T. Monagan Freeway are also key components, ensuring a consistent highway experience. With 96% of the drive on freeways, it's designed for steady progress. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 105.8 miles on CA 99, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving conditions. This isn't a route known for winding backroads; it’s about getting you there efficiently.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105.8 mi on CA 99.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CA 99 and Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 16 significant decision points across 162.1 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 1.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 miles (I 580 / Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 30.3 miles (I 205 / Robert T. Monagan Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Hayward, CA and Fresno, CA, road signs point toward Stockton and Sonora.
Stockton
30.3 mi in
|
~37m
|
via I 205
Sonora
45.9 mi in
|
~54m
About the Cities
Starting in Hayward, CA
Full guide →Founded 1876
Hayward is a city in the inner East Bay in the San Francisco Bay Area region of California located next to the San Francisco Bay. Hayward is located near premier tourist locations (San Francisco), first rate educational institutions (Berkeley and Stanford), and an economic powerhouse (Silicon Valley), however relatively speaking Hayward does not have as much to offer as its neighbors. Even so, its central location may make it a very economical home base for tourists and commuters, and its panoramic views of the Bay alone are worth the side trip for visitors. On paper, the landscape of this city of 163,000 people (2020) sounds nearly perfect. Hayward boasts of a central bay shoreline, a quaint city center with a small town feel in the city flatlands, hills which overlook the bay, and a hub of highways that connect everywhere in the bay area to the inland areas of California.
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 3h 11m. Total distance: 162.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 105.8 miles on CA 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 miles (I 580 / Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 30.3 miles (I 205 / Robert T. Monagan Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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