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Trip from Selma, CA to Stockton, CA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 42m

Distance

140.7 mi

226 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
2h 32m ★
6 AM
2h 43m
8 AM
3h 4m
10 AM
2h 50m
12 PM
2h 48m
3 PM
2h 51m
5 PM
3h 3m
8 PM
2h 36m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Selma, CA, CA

Selma, CA

Dominik Gryzbon

county seat of San Joaquin County, California, United States

Stockton, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Embark on a straightforward 140.7-mile journey from Selma, California to Stockton, California, a drive that typically takes around 2 hours and 42 minutes. This route is primarily on the northbound lanes of California State Route 99 (CA 99), making it a highly efficient trip. With a highway share of 97%, expect a consistent, fast-paced drive that's easily manageable as a day trip, with an estimated fuel cost of $32. Both Selma and Stockton are located within the Pacific Coast region, so you won't be crossing major geographical divides, but you'll still experience the Central Valley's agricultural landscapes. Plan for one primary stop to break up the journey.

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

70.4 miles from Selma, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 20m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Northbound California State Route 99 84.6 mi 1h 38m
CA 99 48.1 mi 53m
CA 4 3 mi 3m
Golden State Highway 1.8 mi 2m
Old U.S. Route 99E 1.3 mi 1m
2nd Street 0.4 mi <1m
North El Dorado Street 0.3 mi <1m
South El Dorado Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Northbound California State Route 99 — 84.6 mi, about 1h 38m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Selma, CA and Stockton, CA.

1

Start on Arrants Street

394 ft · 19 sec · Arrants Street
2

Turn right onto McCall Avenue

0.2 mi · 21 sec · McCall Avenue
3

Continue on 2nd Street

0.4 mi · 42 sec · 2nd Street
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Toward CA 99 North
5

Merge onto CA 99

27 mi · 29 min · CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 30 sec
Exit 144 Toward Avenue 7 Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Merge onto CA 99

21 mi · 24 min · CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 99

85 mi · 1 hr 38 min · Northbound California State Route 99
Toward CA 99 Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on CA 99

1.8 mi · 2 min · Golden State Highway
10

Continue on CA 99

1.3 mi · 1 min · Old U.S. Route 99E
11

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 4

3.0 mi · 3 min · CA 4
Toward CA 4
12

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Exit 66A Toward Downtown
13

Turn right onto South El Dorado Street

0.2 mi · 26 sec · South El Dorado Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
14

Continue on North El Dorado Street

0.3 mi · 38 sec · North El Dorado Street
15

Turn right onto East Fremont Street

117 ft · 5 sec · East Fremont Street
16

Arrive at destination

East Fremont Street

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 42 minutes, this drive is perfectly suited for a single-day trip. Consider departing in the morning to take advantage of lighter traffic, especially as you head north. With a fuel cost estimated at $32, it's a budget-friendly option. While the longest stretch is over 84 miles, you'll likely want to plan for one stop to stretch your legs or refuel. Keep an eye out for the transition onto CA 4 as you near Stockton, ensuring you're on the correct segment for your final destination.

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 70.4 miles from Selma, CA, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.6 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 31 miles or 35m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 70.4 miles or 1h 20m 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 12m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Stockton, CA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Selma, 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 Selma, CA

This is one driving day of about 140.7 miles and 2h 42m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Selma, 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 Northbound California State Route 99 for about 84.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Merced County, California, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Atwater, CA

70 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

Barstow, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Merced, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 70.4 miles from Selma, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Northbound California State Route 99 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 84.6 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.

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Merced, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Early stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Chowchilla, California

+18887800062

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Atwater, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Madera, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Atwater, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Fresno, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Merced, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

2.7 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Atwater, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Gallo Center for the Arts

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Modesto, California

+12093382100

Visit website

Inspiration Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Fresno, California

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+15596212974

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 140.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.9 mi into trip | ~1m in | CA 99

Merge onto CA 99

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
27.6 mi into trip | ~31m in

Take the exit toward Avenue 7

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 144 Toward Avenue 7
5
28.1 mi into trip | ~31m in | CA 99

Merge onto CA 99

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
49.5 mi into trip | ~55m in | CA 99 / Northbound California State Route 99

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 99 / Northbound California State Route 99 toward CA 99

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward CA 99
6
140.2 mi into trip | ~2h 41m in | South El Dorado Street

Turn right onto South El Dorado Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$32.34 one way

$64.68 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 49 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $33.32 $66.65
premium $6.18 $34.22 $68.43
diesel $5.61 $31.06 $62.13

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$32

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 49.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 42.2 0 $14.77 $6.75
Efficient EV 35.2 0 $12.31 $5.63
EV Truck/SUV 56.3 0 $19.70 $9.00

Gas CO2

49 kg

EV CO2

16 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 17, 2026

Origin

Selma, CA

Morning in Selma on Tuesday

Local time

9:57 AM

PDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Stockton, CA

Morning in Stockton on Tuesday

Local time

9:57 AM

PDT

Current temp

45°F

Clear

NW 9 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 17 at 5:29AM PDT until April 17 at 2:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 17 at 5:29AM PDT until April 17 at 2:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard 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.

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

8 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

2h 42m 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?

This is a highway-focused drive, with 97% of the 140.7 miles spent on major roadways, predominantly Northbound California State Route 99. You'll encounter an 84.6-mile stretch without needing to divert, offering a smooth, uninterrupted experience. The character of the drive is largely consistent, characterized by open highway driving through California's Central Valley. While not exceptionally varied, the efficiency of CA 99 and CA 4 makes it a predictable and easy-to-navigate route for covering ground quickly.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.6 mi on Northbound California State Route 99.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Northbound California State Route 99 and CA 99. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near CA 99.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 140.7 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (CA 99): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.1 miles (CA 99): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Selma, CA to Stockton, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Avenue 7 along the way.

Avenue 7

27.6 mi in | ~31m

About the Cities

Arriving in Stockton, CA

Full guide →

Founded 1849

Stockton is a city in the San Joaquin Valley in northern California. Sitting on the San Joaquin Delta, Stockton is the world's most inland natural port and used to be a major port city. One of the larger cities along I-5 through the Central Valley, it is a convenient stop and offers a variety of restaurants and accommodations for road-trippers. There are several shopping centers and movie theaters and one art museum but few major attractions.

Top landmarks

  • • Haggin Museum — art museum in Stockton, California
  • • USCGC Fir — Lighthouse tender
  • • USS Lucid — 1953 Aggressive-class minesweeper

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 42m. Total distance: 140.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 84.6 miles on Northbound California State Route 99. 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 Stockton, 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 0.9 miles (CA 99): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.1 miles (CA 99): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Stockton, 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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