Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 31m
Distance
226.5 mi
365 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$52
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fresno, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Loma Rica, CA
Tori Pezzulla❤️
The drive from Fresno, CA to Loma Rica, CA covers 226.5 miles and takes about 4h 31m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Northbound California State Route 99, CA 99, CA 70 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 84.6 miles on Northbound California State Route 99. At current regular gas prices, budget about $52.06 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
113.3 miles from Fresno, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 13m into the drive .
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 31m. Total distance: 226.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a 4h 31m highway drive covering 226.5 miles, with most of the trip on Northbound California State Route 99 and CA 99. The longest continuous stretch is about 84.6 miles on Northbound California State Route 99.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
396 ft
Total Descent
300 ft
Highest Point
408 ft
~226.5 mi in
Elevation Range
379 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Northbound California State Route 99 and CA 99. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.7 miles in.
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 20 significant decision points across 226.5 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 12.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 168.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 168.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit toward Avenue 7
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 5: Los Angeles, Redding
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 5 North: Redding
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 99 / Golden State Highway toward CA 99 North, CA 70: Yuba City, Marysville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 70 toward CA 70 North: Marysville, Oroville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fresno, CA and Loma Rica, CA, road signs point toward Avenue 7, Lake Tahoe, Redding, Marysville and Oroville.
Avenue 7
Lake Tahoe
Redding
Marysville
Oroville
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Northbound California State Route 99 | 84.6 mi | 1h 38m |
| CA 99 | 74.9 mi | 1h 25m |
| CA 70 | 21.7 mi | 25m |
| Golden State Highway | 9.2 mi | 10m |
| Loma Rica Road | 9 mi | 13m |
| Westside Freeway | 6.7 mi | 7m |
| Levee Road | 5.9 mi | 8m |
| Bernie Richter Memorial Highway | 5 mi | 5m |
Step-by-step road directions between Fresno, CA and Loma Rica, CA.
Start on East Washington Avenue
Turn right onto North First Street
Turn left onto East Belmont Avenue
Take the ramp
Merge onto CA 99
Take the exit
Merge onto CA 99
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 99
Continue on CA 99
Continue on CA 99
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on US 50
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 99
Continue on CA 99
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 70
Turn right onto 5th Street
Turn left onto B Street
Turn right onto CA 20
Continue on CA 20
Turn left onto Loma Rica Road
Continue on Loma Rica Road
Arrive at destination
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.
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 50 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113.3 miles or 2h 13m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Loma Rica, CA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Fresno, 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 Fresno, CA
This is one driving day of about 226.5 miles and 4h 31m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 113.3 mi from Fresno, CA · 2h 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
113 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.
A short stop after about 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 113.3 miles from Fresno, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Northbound California State Route 99 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 84.6 miles.
The final approach into Loma Rica, CA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Loma Rica, CA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$52.06 one way
$104.12 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $53.65 | $107.29 |
| premium | $6.18 | $55.08 | $110.16 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $50.01 | $100.02 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 68 | 0 | $23.78 | $10.87 |
| Efficient EV | 56.6 | 0 | $19.82 | $9.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 90.6 | 1 | $31.71 | $14.50 |
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Fresno on Saturday
Local time
5:44 AM
PDT
Current temp
67°F
Slight Chance Light Rain then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Late night in Loma Rica on Saturday
Local time
5:44 AM
PDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. 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 options from Fresno, CA or browse trips ending in Loma Rica, CA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.
