Myrtletown, CA to Fresno, CA is 450.6 miles and takes about 9h 3m via Redwood Highway and CA 99, with a fuel budget near $102 and enough daylight to finish in a day, though an overnight is recommended. This trip takes you from the Pacific Coast region inland, offering a mix of scenery as you transition from coastal highways to the Central Valley. With a recommended two-day pace, you'll have ample opportunity to break up the drive and avoid fatigue. It's a practical option for getting from Northern California's coast to the heart of the state.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
225.3 miles from Myrtletown, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 38m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Redwood Highway
244.6 mi
4h 55m
CA 99
105.8 mi
2h 1m
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
29.3 mi
33m
MacArthur Freeway
16.4 mi
18m
Robert T. Monagan Freeway
14.6 mi
16m
John T. Knox Freeway
13.6 mi
17m
CA 120
6.2 mi
7m
Willits Bypass
5.4 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Redwood Highway
— 244.6 mi, about 4h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Myrtletown, CA and Fresno, CA.
1
Start on Robbie Lane
337 ft·16 sec·Robbie Lane
2
Turn right onto Trinity Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·Trinity Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto Myrtle Avenue
0.3 mi·29 sec·Myrtle Avenue
4
Turn right onto Hubbard Lane
0.3 mi·43 sec·Hubbard Lane
5
At end of road, turn right onto Harris Street
1.5 mi·3 min·Harris Street
6
Turn left onto J Street
0.1 mi·18 sec·J Street
7
At end of road, turn right onto Hodgson Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·Hodgson Street
8
Turn left onto H Street
0.5 mi·1 min·H Street
9
Turn right onto Oak Street
0.1 mi·22 sec·Oak Street
10
Turn left onto F Street
0.4 mi·44 sec·F Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
11
Continue on Fairway Drive
0.9 mi·1 min·Fairway Drive
12
Continue on Herrick Avenue
0.9 mi·1 min·Herrick Avenue
13
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
14
Merge onto US 101
128 mi·2 hr 37 min·Redwood Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on US 101
5.4 mi·6 min·Willits Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on US 101; CA 20
116 mi·2 hr 18 min·Redwood Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
14 mi·17 min·John T. Knox Freeway
Exit 451BToward I 580: Richmond Bridge, OaklandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 80; I 580
3.8 mi·4 min·Eastshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
0.3 mi·21 sec·Interstate Highway 80
Toward I 580 East, I 880 South: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton, Alameda, San JoseUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
16 mi·18 min·MacArthur Freeway
Toward I 580: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, StocktonUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto I 580
12 mi·13 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
18 mi·20 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 205
3.9 mi·4 min·Robert T. Monagan Freeway
Toward I 205 East: Tracy, Stockton
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 205
11 mi·11 min·Robert T. Monagan Freeway
25
Merge onto I 5
1.0 mi·1 min·Westside Freeway
26
Take the exit
469 ft·6 sec
Toward CA 120 East: Manteca, Sonora
27
Continue on CA 120
6.2 mi·7 min·CA 120
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 6Toward CA 99 South: Modesto, FresnoUse the slight right lane.
29
Merge onto CA 99
106 mi·2 hr 1 min·CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 134Toward Belmont AvenueUse the slight right lane.
31
At end of road, turn left onto West Belmont Avenue
2.9 mi·5 min·West Belmont Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Turn right onto North First Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·North First Street
33
Turn left onto East Washington Avenue
69 ft·3 sec·East Washington Avenue
34
Arrive at destination
East Washington Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 9h 3m estimated drive time, splitting this trip over two days is a smart move to avoid a very long day behind the wheel. Aim to depart early to maximize your daylight hours, especially if you choose to complete it in one go. You'll need to plan for at least two stops to refuel and rest. Consider making your overnight stop around the halfway point to break up the 450.6 miles evenly. Watch for the shift in road conditions as you move from the Redwood Highway onto CA 99, as this is where you'll encounter more urban areas and potentially denser traffic.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 225.3 miles from Myrtletown, CA, or about 4h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 244.6 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 99 miles or 2h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 225.3 miles or 4h 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 225.3 miles or 4h 38m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 51m
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 Myrtletown, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Myrtletown, CA
Aim for roughly 225 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Fresno, CA
Aim for roughly 225 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 99 miles from Myrtletown, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Redwood Highway for about 244.6 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 255.5 and 447.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
255.5 mi into trip|~5h 14m in|I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway toward I 580: Richmond Bridge, Oakland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 451B
Toward I 580: Richmond Bridge, Oakland
8
272.9 mi into trip|~5h 36m in|I 580 / Interstate Highway 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580 / Interstate Highway 80 toward I 580 East, I 880 South: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton, Alameda, San Jose
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 580 East, I 880 South: Downtown Oaklan...
8
273.1 mi into trip|~5h 36m in|I 580 / MacArthur Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580 / MacArthur Freeway toward I 580: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton
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: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockt...
8
340.7 mi into trip|~6h 54m 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
447.2 mi into trip|~8h 56m 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
$94.27 one way
$188.54 round trip
$5.31/gal25.4 MPG avg158 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$97.91
$195.82
premium
$5.67
$100.50
$201.00
diesel
$4.80
$85.08
$170.16
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$94
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$224–$334
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 157.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $47 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
135.2
1
$47.31
$21.63
Efficient EV
112.7
1
$39.43
$18.02
EV Truck/SUV
180.2
2
$63.08
$28.84
Gas CO2
158 kg
EV CO2
53 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Myrtletown, CA
Late night
in Myrtletown on Sunday
Local time
1:55 AM
PDT
Current temp
63°F
Mostly Sunny
NNW 14 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 16 at 1:29PM PDT until July 16 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 16 at 1:29PM PDT until July 16 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Destination
Fresno, CA
Late night
in Fresno on Sunday
Local time
1:55 AM
PDT
Current temp
101°F
Sunny
NW 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 16 at 1:29PM PDT until July 16 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 16 at 1:29PM PDT until July 16 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
38 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
9h 3m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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 264.2
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...
9 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 264.2
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,...
11 mi from route
~29 min detour
$15
near mile 248.6
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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 264.2
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...
19 mi from route
~47 min detour
Free
near mile 233.1
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...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 264.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 42% of this drive is on highways, meaning you'll encounter stretches of faster cruising mixed with surface roads. The longest continuous segment on a highway is 244.6 miles on the Redwood Highway. Expect to transition from highway speeds to more varied traffic and speeds as you move inland. The change in road type suggests you'll notice a difference in traffic density and exit frequency as you progress.
42% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 244.6 mi on Redwood Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 255.5 miles in near I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway.
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 27 significant decision points across 450.6 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 255.5 miles (I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 272.9 miles (I 580 / Interstate Highway 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 273.1 miles (I 580 / MacArthur Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,436 ft15 ft
Total Climb
1,720 ft
Total Descent
1,529 ft
Highest Point
1,436 ft
~96.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,421 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Myrtletown, CA and Fresno, CA, road signs point toward Oakland, Hayward, Stockton, Alameda, San Jose and Sonora.
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
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 244.6 miles on Redwood Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 225 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 23 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 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 255.5 miles (I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 272.9 miles (I 580 / Interstate Highway 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 273.1 miles (I 580 / MacArthur 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, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park and Muir Woods National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.1 hours each way, a round trip means 18.1 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.
