Water
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Willowbrook, CA to Fresno, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 20m
Distance
231.2 mi
372 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 7m
★
6 AM
4h 20m
8 AM
4h 47m
10 AM
4h 30m
12 PM
4h 27m
3 PM
4h 31m
5 PM
4h 46m
8 PM
4h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Willowbrook, CA
Robert So
Fresno, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Willowbrook to Fresno is 231.2 miles and takes about 4h 20m via Golden State Highway/Freeway and I 5 Truck, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Pacific Coast region, predominantly on major highways connecting California's Central Valley. The route offers a straightforward path, ideal if you're looking for efficiency rather than a leisurely, scenic exploration. Given its manageable duration, it's well-suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination with plenty of time.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
115.6 miles from Willowbrook, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 14m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Golden State Highway | 98.2 mi | 1h 45m |
| Golden State Freeway | 55.6 mi | 1h 1m |
| I 5 Truck | 39.3 mi | 45m |
| San Diego Freeway | 27.1 mi | 31m |
| Century Freeway | 6 mi | 6m |
| Yosemite Freeway | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| North Central Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| North First Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Golden State Highway
— 98.2 mi, about 1h 45m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 90 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,770 veh/hr typical · worst 4,589
Quietest
2 AM
~577 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 44 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 Willowbrook, CA and Fresno, CA.
1
Start on this road
199 ft
·
19 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto North Central Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Central Avenue
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward I 105 West
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto I 105
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Century Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 2B
Toward I 405 South, I 405 North: Long Beach, Santa Monica
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 405 North: Santa Monica
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 405
27 mi
·
31 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the straight lane.
8
Merge onto I 5 Truck
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 5 Truck
Exit 161A
Toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
36 mi
·
41 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
22 mi
·
25 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
27 mi
·
30 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on CA 99
98 mi
·
1 hr 45 min
·
Golden State Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 131
Toward CA 41 North: Yosemite
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto CA 41
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Yosemite Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on CA 41
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
·
Dwight David Eisenhower Memorial Freeway
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 127
Toward Tulare Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right onto East Tulare Avenue
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
East Tulare Avenue
20
Turn left onto North 1st Street
390 ft
·
15 sec
·
North 1st Street
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on North First Street
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
North First Street
22
Turn right onto East Washington Avenue
28 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Washington Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
East Washington Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 4h 20m drive, departing in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in how you pace yourself; consider a brief break around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before heading into any longer stretches, as the $52 fuel cost is an estimate. Since this is a single-day trip, you can afford to be a bit more spontaneous with your timing, but aim to arrive in Fresno before dusk for easier navigation into the city.
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 115.6 miles from Willowbrook, CA, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.2 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 51 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.6 miles or 2h 14m 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 33m
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 Willowbrook, 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 Willowbrook, CA
This is one driving day of about 231.2 miles and 4h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Willowbrook, 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 Golden State Highway for about 98.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
116 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 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 115.6 miles from Willowbrook, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Golden State Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 98.2 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.
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Bear Mountain Truck Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Castaic Truck Stop
0.1 mi from route
C. H. Warlow Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Tejon Pass Rest Area - Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Valley Fuel Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Tejon Pass Rest Area - Northbound
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.4 mi from route
Rest Area
1.6 mi from route
Rest Area
1.8 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.9 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 230.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 105 West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 105 West
8
7.1 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Take the exit toward I 405 South, I 405 North: Long Beach, Santa Monica
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 2B
Toward I 405 South, I 405 North: Long Beach, Sa...
7
7.3 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 405 North: Santa Monica
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 405 North: Santa Monica
9
36.9 mi into trip
|
~44m in
|
I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 161A
Toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
8
230.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 18m 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
$48.37 one way
$96.74 round trip
$5.31/gal
25.4 MPG avg
81 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.52 | $50.24 | $100.47 |
| premium | $5.67 | $51.56 | $103.13 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $43.65 | $87.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 69.4 | 0 | $24.28 | $11.10 |
| Efficient EV | 57.8 | 0 | $20.23 | $9.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 92.5 | 1 | $32.37 | $14.80 |
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Willowbrook, CA
Late night in Willowbrook on Monday
Local time
1:09 AM
PDT
Current temp
84°F
Mostly Sunny
SSW 5 to 10 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 1:24AM PDT until July 21 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Destination
Fresno, CA
Late night in Fresno on Monday
Local time
1:09 AM
PDT
Current temp
98°F
Sunny
WNW 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 1:24AM PDT until July 21 at 11:00PM 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
14 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
4h 20m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultura...
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 23.9
View on nps.gov
César E. Chávez National Monument
National Monument
Yes, we can! Widely recognized as the most important Latino leader in the United States during the twentieth century, Cesar Chavez led farm workers and supporters in the establishment of the country's...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 103.7
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 56% highway, meaning you'll spend a significant portion on the Golden State Highway and I 5 Truck. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is 98.2 miles on the Golden State Highway. Expect a mixed-terrain experience, transitioning from highway cruising to surface roads as you approach your destination. You'll likely notice frequent exits and merges common to major freeway corridors.
56% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.2 mi on Golden State 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 0.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 18 significant decision points across 231.2 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 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 7.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,683 ft
97 ft
Total Climb
3,711 ft
Total Descent
3,496 ft
Highest Point
3,683 ft
~82.6 mi in
Elevation Range
3,586 ft
Notable High Points
3,683 ft at ~82.6 miles
+769 ft prominence
About the Cities
Starting in Willowbrook, 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 4h 20m. Total distance: 231.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98.2 miles on Golden State Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 19 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 7.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and César E. Chávez National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 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, 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.
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