How far is Fresno, CA from Clearlake, CA?
The driving distance from Fresno, CA to Clearlake, CA is about 270 miles (434.5 km), with a travel time of about 05h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 218.1 miles (351 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 42m 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 21m.
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.
The most populous city in San Joaquin County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fresno and Clearlake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fresno and Clearlake.
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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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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 left to continue on Westside Freeway
52.3 mi · 57 min · Westside Freeway
-
20
Take the exit slight right toward CA 20: Colusa, Clear Lake
1693 ft · 41 sec
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21
Turn left
37 mi · 51 min
-
22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
68 m · 3 sec
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23
Exit the roundabout
3.9 mi · 5 min
-
24
Turn right onto Polk Avenue
101 m · 18 sec · Polk Avenue
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25
Turn left onto Lincoln Avenue
651 ft · 29 sec · Lincoln Avenue
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26
Continue on Duncan Avenue
850 ft · 37 sec · Duncan Avenue
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Duncan Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fresno and Clearlake.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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 Sunny near Clearlake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fresno to Clearlake?
The road trip is about 270 miles (434.5 km) and usually takes 05h 21m 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?
Lodi is a useful midpoint, sitting about 135 miles from Fresno and 135 miles from Clearlake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 218.1 miles (351 km), while the road route adds roughly 51.9 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 6:18 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $54.98 one way or $109.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 84.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Fresno and Sunny near Clearlake.
Stop Ideas Near Lodi
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 Lodi.
Lodi
Robert J. Cabral Station
Stockton – San Joaquin Street
Rio Vista, CA
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fresno and Clearlake. Straight-line distance: 218.08 mi (350.97 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 Clearlake
City in California
| Population | 15,179 |
| Coordinates | 38.9582300, -122.6263700 |
| Altitude | 432 |
| Country | United States |
End: Clearlake (-122.62637, 38.95823)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 435 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $54.98 | $109.96 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $57.81 | $115.62 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $59.50 | $118.99 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $72.11 | $144.23 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.