Dunnigan Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from McCloud, CA to Fresno, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 30m
Distance
397.3 mi
639 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$83
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 21m
★
6 AM
7h 31m
8 AM
7h 51m
10 AM
7h 38m
12 PM
7h 36m
3 PM
7h 39m
5 PM
7h 50m
8 PM
7h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
McCloud, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Fresno, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
McCloud, CA to Fresno, CA is 397.3 miles and takes about 7h 30m via Westside Freeway and CA 99, with a fuel budget near $90 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you from the Pacific Coast region down through California's Central Valley. Expect a mostly highway experience, making it a straightforward trip for a single day. With two planned stops, you can break up the 7.5-hour drive comfortably. This route is a practical option if you need to cover ground efficiently between Northern and Central California.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
198.6 miles from McCloud, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 40m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 127.4 mi | 2h 17m |
| CA 99 | 106.7 mi | 2h 2m |
| Cascade Wonderland Highway | 90 mi | 1h 41m |
| South Sacramento Freeway | 56.4 mi | 1h 5m |
| Mount Shasta - Mount Lassen Highway | 8.6 mi | 9m |
| West Belmont Avenue | 2.9 mi | 5m |
| Capital City Freeway | 1.5 mi | 1m |
| West Colombero Drive | 0.9 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 127.4 mi, about 2h 17m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 170 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,917 veh/hr typical · worst 2,260
Quietest
2 AM
~183 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 48 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 McCloud, CA and Fresno, CA.
1
Start on Main Street
74 ft
·
6 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn left onto West Colombero Drive
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
West Colombero Drive
3
At end of road, turn right onto CA 89
8.6 mi
·
9 min
·
Mount Shasta - Mount Lassen Highway
4
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
5
Merge onto I 5
55 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
Cascade Wonderland Highway
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
36 mi
·
38 min
·
Cascade Wonderland Highway
7
Continue on I 5
93 mi
·
1 hr 39 min
·
Westside Freeway
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
16 mi
·
16 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
19 mi
·
21 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 518
Toward US 50: South Lake Tahoe, San Francisco
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 518
Toward US 50 East: Fresno
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 518
Toward US 50 East: Fresno
13
Merge onto US 50; I 80 Business
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Capital City Freeway
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
Capital City Freeway
Toward I 80 Business East, CA 99 South: Reno, Fresno
Use the slight right lane.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
Toward CA 99 South: Fresno
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto CA 99
56 mi
·
1 hr 5 min
·
South Sacramento Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
107 mi
·
2 hr 2 min
·
CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 134
Toward Belmont Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
19
At end of road, turn left onto West Belmont Avenue
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
West Belmont Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn right onto North First Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
North First Street
21
Turn left onto East Washington Avenue
69 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Washington Avenue
22
Arrive at destination
East Washington Avenue
Trip Plan
Aim to depart McCloud in the morning to maximize daylight and ensure you have ample time to reach Fresno. With a duration of 7.5 hours and two recommended stops, you can plan for roughly one break every three hours. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 127.4-mile stretch on the Westside Freeway, as services can be spaced out on long highway segments. The estimated fuel cost is around $90. Given this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but starting early is still your best bet for a relaxed drive.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 198.6 miles from McCloud, CA, or about 3h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 127.4 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 87 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 198.6 miles or 3h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 19m
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 McCloud, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from McCloud, CA
This is one driving day of about 397.3 miles and 7h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 87 miles from McCloud, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 127.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
199 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 87 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 198.6 miles from McCloud, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 127.4 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.
Lakehead Rest Area
0 mi from route
Highway Patrol Weigh Station
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Elkhorn Rest Area
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
Dunnigan Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
LT. John C. Helmick Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
LT. John C. Helmick Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Herbert S. Miles Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Herbert S. Miles Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
United Park
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot 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
Maxwell Rest Area Northbound
0.2 mi from route
Maxwell Rest Area Southbound
0.2 mi from route
Willows Rest Area Southbound
0.2 mi from route
Willows Rest Area Northbound
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Maverik
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
O'Brien Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.4 mi from route
Ahmed's Exxon
0.9 mi from route
Sacramento 49er Travel Plaza
1.2 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 195 decision points cluster between mile 193.1 and 393.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
193.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 34m in
|
I 5 / Westside Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Westside Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
208.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 51m in
|
I 5 / Westside Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Westside Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
227.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 12m in
Take the exit toward US 50: South Lake Tahoe, San Francisco
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 518
Toward US 50: South Lake Tahoe, San Francisco
8
230 mi into trip
|
~4h 16m in
|
I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway toward I 80 Business East, CA 99 South: Reno, Fresno
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 80 Business East, CA 99 South: Reno, F...
7
393.8 mi into trip
|
~7h 24m 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
$83.12 one way
$166.24 round trip
$5.31/gal
25.4 MPG avg
139 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.52 | $86.33 | $172.65 |
| premium | $5.67 | $88.61 | $177.22 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $75.02 | $150.04 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$83
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$108–$133
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 139 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 119.2 | 1 | $41.72 | $19.07 |
| Efficient EV | 99.3 | 1 | $34.76 | $15.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 158.9 | 1 | $55.62 | $25.43 |
Gas CO2
139 kg
EV CO2
46 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
McCloud, CA
Night in McCloud on Saturday
Local time
11:58 PM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Clear
W 0 to 3 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 16 at 12:00PM PDT until July 16 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 16 at 11:39AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Destination
Fresno, CA
Night in Fresno on Saturday
Local time
11:58 PM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Mostly Clear
NW 5 to 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 16 at 12:00PM PDT until July 16 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 16 at 11:39AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
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
19 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
7h 30m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Whiskeytown Lake’s crystal-clear waters are iconic, but this 42,000-acre National Recreation Area offers much more. Explore waterfalls, hike rugged trails, uncover Gold Rush history, and witness the r...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
$15
near mile 68.5
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 primarily highway, with 73% of the route on major freeways. You'll encounter a long stretch of 127.4 miles on the Westside Freeway, so expect consistent cruising. The transition to surface roads will occur after this point, likely bringing more varied traffic and exit patterns. The sheer number of exits on the Westside Freeway suggests a busy corridor.
73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 127.4 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and CA 99. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 193.1 miles in near I 5 / Westside Freeway.
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 19 significant decision points across 397.3 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 193.1 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 208.8 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 227.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,270 ft
23 ft
Total Climb
299 ft
Total Descent
3,259 ft
Highest Point
3,270 ft
Elevation Range
3,248 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.
On the drive from McCloud, CA to Fresno, CA, road signs begin pointing toward San Francisco along the way.
San Francisco
227.5 mi in
|
~4h 12m
About the Cities
Starting in McCloud, CA
Full guide →McCloud is a city in Siskiyou County in the Shasta Cascades region 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 7h 30m. Total distance: 397.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 30m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 127.4 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 37 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 37 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 193.1 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 208.8 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 227.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 15.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Fresno, CA before the return drive.
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Fresno, CA
More from McCloud, CA
More trips to Fresno, CA
Explore more options from McCloud, CA or browse trips ending in Fresno, CA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.