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Trip from King City, CA to Fresno, CA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 51m

Distance

128.1 mi

206 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 40m ★
6 AM
2h 52m
8 AM
3h 14m
10 AM
2h 59m
12 PM
2h 57m
3 PM
3h 0m
5 PM
3h 12m
8 PM
2h 45m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in Monterey County, California, United States

King City, CA

Wikimedia Commons

county seat of Fresno County, California, United States

Fresno, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 128.1-mile drive from King City, CA to Fresno, CA takes approximately 2 hours and 51 minutes to complete. It's a straightforward, one-day trip, easily manageable within a single day, so you won't need to worry about overnight stays. You'll be navigating primarily on Broadway Street and South First Street, with a significant portion on US 101. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $28. This route offers a practical connection between the Pacific Coast region and continues within California, focusing on local road travel without extensive highway use. It's a direct and efficient way to get from point A to point B.

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

64.1 miles from King City, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Lockwood San Lucas Road 47.2 mi 1h 7m
South 19 1/2 Avenue 31.6 mi 38m
West Dorris Avenue 28.5 mi 33m
Fresno Coalinga Road 7.6 mi 11m
El Camino Real 7.3 mi 8m
Elm Avenue 2.5 mi 3m
South First Street 1.1 mi 2m
North First Street 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Lockwood San Lucas Road — 47.2 mi, about 1h 7m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between King City, CA and Fresno, CA.

1

Start on South Third Street

106 ft · 7 sec · South Third Street
2

Turn right onto CR G13; US 101 BUS

0.2 mi · 31 sec · Broadway Street
3

Turn right

181 ft · 7 sec
Toward US 101 BUS, CR G15: South First Street
4

Turn straight onto CR G15; US 101 BUS

1.1 mi · 2 min · South First Street
5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward US 101: US 101 South
6

Merge onto US 101

7.3 mi · 8 min · El Camino Real
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 35 sec
Toward CA 198: San Lucas, Coalinga
8

Turn left onto CA 198

47 mi · 1 hr 7 min · Lockwood San Lucas Road
9

Continue on CA 198

2.5 mi · 3 min · Elm Avenue
10

Continue on CA 33; CA 198

7.6 mi · 11 min · Fresno Coalinga Road
11

Turn right onto CA 198

28 mi · 33 min · West Dorris Avenue
12

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Toward CA 41: Lemoore, Fresno
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward CA 41 North: Lemoore, Fresno
14

Merge onto CA 41

32 mi · 38 min · South 19 1/2 Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Continue on CA 41

0.2 mi · 13 sec · Dwight David Eisenhower Memorial Freeway
16

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Exit 127 Toward Tulare Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Turn right onto East Tulare Avenue

0.2 mi · 25 sec · East Tulare Avenue
18

Turn left onto North 1st Street

390 ft · 15 sec · North 1st Street
Use the left lane.
19

Continue on North First Street

0.3 mi · 32 sec · North First Street
20

Turn right onto East Washington Avenue

28 ft · 1 sec · East Washington Avenue
21

Arrive at destination

East Washington Avenue

Trip Plan

Given the 2-hour and 51-minute duration for this 128.1-mile trip, it’s perfectly suited for a single day's travel. Consider departing King City in the morning to allow for a relaxed pace and potential for unexpected discoveries along the way. With no designated stops and a fuel cost estimated at $28, you can plan your budget accordingly. Keep an eye on your GPS, as the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests frequent navigation adjustments. A practical tip: since you'll be on local roads for the majority of the drive, be mindful of traffic signals and potential local congestion, especially as you approach Fresno.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 64.1 miles from King City, CA, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.2 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 28 miles or 40m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 64.1 miles or 1h 32m 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 22m

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 King City, 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 King City, CA

This is one driving day of about 128.1 miles and 2h 51m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from King City, 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 Lockwood San Lucas Road for about 47.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Coalinga, CA, CA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Coalinga, CA

64 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.

Popular next leg

Coalinga, CA to Fresno, CA

70.4 mi · 1h 28m

Pacing Suggestions

Coalinga, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Coalinga, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 64.1 miles from King City, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 127.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | CR G13; US 101 BUS / Broadway Street

Turn right onto CR G13; US 101 BUS / Broadway Street

Navigation decision point

5
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in

Turn right toward US 101 BUS, CR G15: South First Street

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 101 BUS, CR G15: South First Street
5
8.9 mi into trip | ~12m in

Take the exit toward CA 198: San Lucas, Coalinga

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward CA 198: San Lucas, Coalinga
6
95 mi into trip | ~2h 10m in

Keep slight left at fork toward CA 41 North: Lemoore, Fresno

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward CA 41 North: Lemoore, Fresno
8
127.3 mi into trip | ~2h 49m in

Take the exit toward Tulare Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 127 Toward Tulare Street

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$29.44 one way

$58.89 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 45 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $30.34 $60.68
premium $6.18 $31.15 $62.31
diesel $5.61 $28.28 $56.57

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$29

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$54–$79

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 44.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 38.4 0 $13.45 $6.15
Efficient EV 32 0 $11.21 $5.12
EV Truck/SUV 51.2 0 $17.93 $8.20

Gas CO2

45 kg

EV CO2

15 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

King City, CA

Morning in King City on Sunday

Local time

11:47 AM

PDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fresno, CA

Morning in Fresno on Sunday

Local time

11:47 AM

PDT

Current temp

51°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

4 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

2h 51m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this 128.1-mile route. With 0% highway share, this journey keeps you on surface streets and local roads for its entirety. The drive offers a continuous experience, with no particularly long uninterrupted stretches to note, meaning you'll be actively engaged with navigation. You'll be using main roads like Broadway Street, US 101, and South First Street, so while not a highway, they are well-traveled thoroughfares. The character is less about open-road cruising and more about navigating through populated areas and connecting local routes.

Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 47.2 mi on Lockwood San Lucas Road.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CR G13; US 101 BUS / Broadway Street.

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 128.1 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: near the start (CR G13; US 101 BUS / Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.

On the drive from King City, CA to Fresno, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Coalinga along the way.

Coalinga

8.9 mi in | ~12m

About the Cities

Starting in King City, CA

Full guide →

King City is a city in the central region of California between San Jose and San Luis Obispo. Considered the mid-way point between Central and Southern California, King City is both a popular pit-stop for drivers, and a nice little town to visit.

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 2h 51m. Total distance: 128.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 47.2 miles on Lockwood San Lucas Road. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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: near the start (CR G13; US 101 BUS / Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Fresno, CA before heading back.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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