How far is Fresno, CA from Chico, CA?
The driving distance from Fresno, CA to Chico, CA is about 258.4 miles (415.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 234.4 miles (377.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 13m 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 05h 06m.
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
Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fresno and Chico.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fresno and Chico.
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1
Start on East Washington Avenue
9 m · 3 sec · East Washington Avenue
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2
Turn right onto North First Street
968 ft · 23 sec · North First Street
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3
Turn left onto East Belmont Avenue
2.9 mi · 6 min · East Belmont Avenue
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4
Take the ramp right toward CA 99 North
965 ft · 23 sec
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5
Merge slight left
9.4 mi · 11 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward Avenue 7
2522 ft · 31 sec
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7
Merge slight left
21.4 mi · 24 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Northbound California State Route 99
84.6 mi · 1 hr 38 min · Northbound California State Route 99
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9
Continue on Golden State Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Golden State Highway
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10
Continue on Old U.S. Route 99E
1.3 mi · 1 min · Old U.S. Route 99E
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11
Keep slight left
44.1 mi · 51 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward US 50 West, US 50 East: San Francisco, South Lake Tahoe
2549 ft · 34 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on US 50 West: San Francisco
1.3 km · 1 min
-
14
Continue on Capital City Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Capital City Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 5: Los Angeles, Redding
803 ft · 15 sec
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16
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 North: Redding
1407 ft · 30 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on I 5: Redding
1615 ft · 39 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
6.7 mi · 8 min · Westside Freeway
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19
Keep slight right to continue on Golden State Highway
7.5 mi · 9 min · Golden State Highway
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20
Continue on Bernie Richter Memorial Highway
5 mi · 6 min · Bernie Richter Memorial Highway
-
21
Keep slight right to continue on CA 70 North: Marysville, Oroville
21.7 mi · 26 min
-
22
Turn right onto 5th Street
1272 ft · 39 sec · 5th Street
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23
Turn left onto B Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · B Street
-
24
Continue straight
30.3 mi · 35 min
-
25
Keep slight left
5.7 mi · 7 min
-
26
Merge slight left
7.6 mi · 9 min
-
27
Take the exit slight right toward Skyway
1395 ft · 26 sec
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28
Turn left onto Skyway Road
1849 ft · 41 sec · Skyway Road
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29
Continue on East Park Avenue
2365 ft · 49 sec · East Park Avenue
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30
Turn slight right
46 m · 7 sec
-
31
Turn straight onto Park Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · Park Avenue
-
32
Continue on Main Street
1687 ft · 1 min · Main Street
-
33
Turn right onto East 5th Street
50 m · 7 sec · East 5th Street
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East 5th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fresno and Chico.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Northbound California State Route 99
Keep slight right to continue on Northbound California State Route 99
84.6 mi · 01h 38m
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 Fresno and Chance Light Rain near Chico.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fresno to Chico?
The road trip is about 258.4 miles (415.9 km) and usually takes 05h 06m 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 129.2 miles from Fresno and 129.1 miles from Chico.
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 24 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 6:46 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $52.61 one way or $105.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 81 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Fresno and Chance Light Rain near Chico.
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 Fresno and Chico. Straight-line distance: 234.45 mi (377.31 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Chico
The most populous city in Butte County, California.
| Population | 102,867 |
| Coordinates | 39.7284900, -121.8374800 |
| Altitude | 60 |
| Country | United States |
End: Chico (-121.83748, 39.72849)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 416 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $52.61 | $105.23 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $55.32 | $110.64 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $56.94 | $113.87 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $69.01 | $138.02 |
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.