Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from North Auburn, 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

3h 57m

Distance

202.4 mi

326 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$47

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 45m ★
6 AM
3h 58m
8 AM
4h 23m
10 AM
4h 7m
12 PM
4h 4m
3 PM
4h 8m
5 PM
4h 22m
8 PM
3h 50m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown North Auburn, CA, CA

North Auburn, CA

Stephen Leonardi

county seat of Fresno County, California, United States

Fresno, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 202-mile drive from North Auburn, CA to Fresno, CA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 57 minutes. The majority of your journey, 93% to be exact, will be on major highways, offering a straightforward travel experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $47, this route is relatively budget-friendly for a longer haul. You'll primarily be navigating CA 99, the South Sacramento Freeway, and the Alan S. Hart Freeway, making for a predominantly highway-focused drive across the Pacific Coast region. This route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground without extensive sightseeing 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

101.2 miles from North Auburn, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 58m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
CA 99 106.7 mi 2h 2m
South Sacramento Freeway 56.8 mi 1h 5m
Alan S. Hart Freeway 16.8 mi 19m
Capital City Freeway 9 mi 9m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 7.1 mi 8m
West Belmont Avenue 2.9 mi 5m
Grass Valley Highway 1.9 mi 3m
Canal Street 0.3 mi 1m
Longest stretch: CA 99 — 106.7 mi, about 2h 2m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between North Auburn, CA and Fresno, CA.

1

Start on Erin Drive

0.1 mi · 34 sec · Erin Drive
2

At end of road, turn left onto Canal Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · Canal Street
3

Turn right onto Luther Road

0.1 mi · 24 sec · Luther Road
4

Turn left onto CA 49

1.9 mi · 3 min · Grass Valley Highway
5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Toward I 80 West: Sacramento
6

Merge onto I 80

17 mi · 19 min · Alan S. Hart Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Continue on I 80

7.1 mi · 8 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business

4.9 mi · 5 min · Capital City Freeway
Exit 95 Toward I 80 Business West: Sacramento Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 Business

3.7 mi · 4 min · Capital City Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto Capital City Freeway

0.3 mi · 20 sec · Capital City Freeway
Toward CA 99 South Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on South Sacramento Freeway

57 mi · 1 hr 5 min · South Sacramento Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99

107 mi · 2 hr 2 min · CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Exit 134 Toward Belmont Avenue Use the slight right lane.
14

At end of road, turn left onto West Belmont Avenue

2.9 mi · 5 min · West Belmont Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
15

Turn right onto North First Street

0.2 mi · 26 sec · North First Street
16

Turn left onto East Washington Avenue

69 ft · 3 sec · East Washington Avenue
17

Arrive at destination

East Washington Avenue

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour and 57-minute duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for a comfortable pace. You'll encounter one designated stop, but with a longest stretch of over 100 miles, consider planning an additional brief break for fuel or stretching. The fuel cost is estimated at $47, so ensure you have sufficient funds or a card. A practical tip for this route is to stay alert on CA 99, as it can experience significant traffic, especially near urban areas.

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 101.2 miles from North Auburn, CA, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.7 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 45 miles or 54m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 101.2 miles or 1h 58m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 13m

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 North Auburn, 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 North Auburn, CA

This is one driving day of about 202.4 miles and 3h 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from North Auburn, 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 106.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in and county seat of Stanislaus County, California, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Modesto, CA

101 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

Laguna, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ripon, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 101.2 miles from North Auburn, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before CA 99 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 106.7 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

All Season Restaurant & Market

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

North Highlands, California

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 28.9

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+19164184928

Visit website

All Season Restaurant & Market

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 28.9

North Highlands, California

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+19164184928

Visit website

Hawks

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $100 or ab mile 14.5

Granite Bay, California

Hours: 5–9 pm

+19167916200

Visit website

Farmhaus

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour Expensive mile 14.5

Granite Bay, California

Hours: 11:30 am–2:30 pm

+19167723276

Visit website

Plan B Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $50 to $10 mile 28.9

Sacramento, California

Hours: 5–9 pm

+19164833000

Visit website

Richmaid Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 72.3

Lodi, California

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12093684279

Visit website

Noroc Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $20 to $30 mile 28.9

Carmichael, California

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19164857747

Visit website

Inspire Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 72.3

Lodi, California

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+12093278030

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 144.6

Merced, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 144.6

Merced, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 28.9

Sacramento, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.1 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 28.9

North Highlands, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 28.9

Sacramento, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

EVCS Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 202.4

Fresno, California

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 28.9

Sacramento, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 43.4

Sacramento, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Micke Grove Zoo

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 72.3

Lodi, California

Hours: 10 am–4:30 pm

+12093312010

Visit website

Quarry Road Trail

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Auburn, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19166536995

Visit website

Aerospace Museum of California

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 28.9

McClellan Park, California

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+19166433192

Visit website

Maidu Regional Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 14.5

Roseville, California

Hours: 9 am–6 pm

+19167745200

Visit website

Carnegie Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 14.5

Roseville, California

Hours: 12–4 pm

+19167733003

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 199 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Canal Street

At end of road, turn left onto Canal Street

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

8
26.5 mi into trip | ~33m in | I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway toward I 80 Business West: Sacramento

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 95 Toward I 80 Business West: Sacramento
6
31.4 mi into trip | ~38m in | I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
35.2 mi into trip | ~42m in | Capital City Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto Capital City Freeway toward CA 99 South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward CA 99 South
7
199 mi into trip | ~3h 50m 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

$46.52 one way

$93.04 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 71 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $47.94 $95.88
premium $6.18 $49.22 $98.44
diesel $5.61 $44.69 $89.37

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$47

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$72–$97

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 70.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 60.7 0 $21.25 $9.72
Efficient EV 50.6 0 $17.71 $8.10
EV Truck/SUV 81 1 $28.34 $12.95

Gas CO2

71 kg

EV CO2

24 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

North Auburn, CA

Late night in North Auburn on Sunday

Local time

2:54 AM

PDT

Current temp

45°F

Mostly Clear

ENE 3 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Freeze Warning

Freeze Warning issued April 17 at 7:10PM PDT until April 18 at 8:00AM PDT by NWS Eureka CA

Destination

Fresno, CA

Late night in Fresno on Sunday

Local time

2:54 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

6 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

3h 57m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 202-mile journey. With a 93% highway share, you'll spend the bulk of your time on well-maintained, high-speed roads like CA 99. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 106.7 miles, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. While primarily a freeway experience, the route connects major arteries, providing a clear path south. The road character remains consistent, emphasizing efficient travel over varied scenery.

93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 106.7 mi on CA 99.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CA 99 and South Sacramento Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Canal 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 13 significant decision points across 202.4 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 0.1 miles (Canal Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 26.5 miles (I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.4 miles (I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Starting in North Auburn, CA

Full guide →

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 57m. Total distance: 202.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 106.7 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 0.1 miles (Canal Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 26.5 miles (I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.4 miles (I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Fresno, CA

Willow Creek, CA 430.2 mi · 8h 13m Susanville, CA 357.6 mi · 7h 19m Covelo, CA 355.8 mi · 7h 18m San Diego, CA 339.8 mi · 6h 30m

More from North Auburn, CA

San Diego, CA 540.6 mi · 10h 10m Irvine, CA 460.3 mi · 8h 32m Santa Ana, CA 451.8 mi · 8h 24m Long Beach, CA 443.6 mi · 8h 15m Los Angeles, CA 419.6 mi · 7h 47m

More trips to Fresno, CA

McKinleyville, CA 470.3 mi Alturas, CA 469.1 mi Big River, CA 444.8 mi Ferndale, CA 439 mi Mount Shasta, CA 389.2 mi Dunsmuir, CA 380.8 mi
Escape planner: North Auburn, CA Scenic drives in CA

Explore more options from North Auburn, CA or browse trips ending in Fresno, CA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.