How far is Chico, CA from Fresno, CA?
The driving distance from Chico, CA to Fresno, CA is about 264.1 miles (425 km), with a travel time of about 04h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 234.4 miles (377.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 48m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 04h 24m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census-designated place in San Joaquin County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chico and Fresno.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chico and Fresno.
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1
Start on East 5th Street
158 m · 30 sec · East 5th Street
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2
Turn left onto Broadway Street
994 ft · 49 sec · Broadway Street
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3
Turn slight left onto Oroville Avenue
818 ft · 18 sec · Oroville Avenue
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4
Continue on Park Avenue
1.3 mi · 3 min · Park Avenue
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5
Continue on East Park Avenue
2627 ft · 56 sec · East Park Avenue
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6
Take the ramp slight right
2452 ft · 32 sec
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7
Merge slight left
8 mi · 9 min
-
8
Keep slight left to continue on Oroville, Marysville
5.5 mi · 6 min
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9
Merge slight right
19.1 mi · 22 min
-
10
Continue straight
11.1 mi · 13 min
-
11
Continue straight
1.5 mi · 3 min
-
12
Turn right onto 5th Street
1272 ft · 31 sec · 5th Street
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13
Turn left onto E Street
4.2 mi · 5 min · E Street
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14
Keep slight right
17.5 mi · 20 min
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15
Merge slight left onto Bernie Richter Memorial Highway
4.9 mi · 6 min · Bernie Richter Memorial Highway
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16
Continue on Golden State Highway
7.7 mi · 9 min · Golden State Highway
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17
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
6.2 mi · 7 min · Westside Freeway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward US 50: South Lake Tahoe, San Francisco
2110 ft · 28 sec
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19
Keep slight left to continue on US 50 East: Fresno
1936 ft · 33 sec
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20
Keep slight left to continue on US 50 East: Fresno
3077 ft · 1 min
-
21
Merge slight left onto Capital City Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Capital City Freeway
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22
Keep slight right to continue on Capital City Freeway
1383 ft · 18 sec · Capital City Freeway
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23
Take the exit slight right toward CA 99 South: Fresno
2281 ft · 34 sec
-
24
Merge slight left onto South Sacramento Freeway
56.4 mi · 1 hr 5 min · South Sacramento Freeway
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25
Keep slight left
106.7 mi · 2 hr 2 min
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26
Take the exit slight right toward Belmont Avenue
1517 ft · 41 sec
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27
At the end of the road, turn left onto West Belmont Avenue
2.9 mi · 6 min · West Belmont Avenue
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28
Turn right onto North First Street
968 ft · 26 sec · North First Street
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29
Turn left onto East Washington Avenue
21 m · 3 sec · East Washington Avenue
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Washington Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chico and Fresno.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
South Sacramento Freeway
Keep slight left
107 mi · 02h 02m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Chico and Mostly Sunny near Fresno.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chico to Fresno?
The road trip is about 264.1 miles (425 km) and usually takes 04h 24m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Morada is a useful midpoint, sitting about 129.3 miles from Chico and 134.8 miles from Fresno.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 234.4 miles (377.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.7 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:12 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $53.77 one way or $107.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 82.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Chico and Mostly Sunny near Fresno.
Stop Ideas Near Morada
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Morada.
Robert J. Cabral Station
Stockton – San Joaquin Street
Lodi
Manteca, CA
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chico and Fresno. Straight-line distance: 234.45 mi (377.31 km).
#1 Chico
The most populous city in Butte County, California.
| Population | 102,867 |
| Coordinates | 39.7284900, -121.8374800 |
| Altitude | 60 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Fresno
The fifth most populous city in California and the center of the Fresno metropolitan area.
| Population | 530,267 |
| Coordinates | 36.7477300, -119.7723700 |
| Altitude | 94 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Washington Avenue (-119.77237, 36.747738)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 425 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $53.77 | $107.53 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $56.54 | $113.07 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $58.18 | $116.37 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $70.52 | $141.05 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in California · Apr 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.