How far is Fresno, CA from Cottonwood, CA?
The driving distance from Fresno, CA to Cottonwood, CA is about 314.5 miles (506.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 285.5 miles (459.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 53m 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 56m.
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.
A city located in Orange County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fresno and Cottonwood.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fresno and Cottonwood.
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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
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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
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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 left to continue on Westside Freeway
120.9 mi · 2 hr 10 min · Westside Freeway
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20
Continue on Cascade Wonderland Highway
15.8 mi · 17 min · Cascade Wonderland Highway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward Bowman Road, Cottonwood
1719 ft · 33 sec
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22
Continue on Main Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · Main Street
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23
Turn right onto 1st Street
19 m · 2 sec · 1st Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fresno and Cottonwood.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Westside Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on Westside Freeway
121 mi · 02h 10m
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.
Sunny leaving Fresno and Sunny near Cottonwood.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fresno to Cottonwood?
The road trip is about 314.5 miles (506.2 km) and usually takes 05h 56m 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?
Laguna is a useful midpoint, sitting about 157.3 miles from Fresno and 157.2 miles from Cottonwood.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 285.5 miles (459.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 29 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 5:06 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $69.50 one way or $138.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 98.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Fresno and Sunny near Cottonwood.
Stop Ideas Near Laguna
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Sacramento
City of Elk Grove Special Waste Collection Center
Littleton Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Laguna.
Elk Grove, California
Sacramento (State Capitol), California
Sacramento Valley Station
Davis station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fresno and Cottonwood. Straight-line distance: 285.53 mi (459.52 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 Cottonwood
Located in Shasta County at an elevation of 433 feet, this Northern California census-designated place is situated in the northern Sacramento Valley near where Cottonwood Creek meets the Sacramento River.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 40.3857100, -122.2808400 |
| Altitude | 132 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cottonwood (-122.28084, 40.38571)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 506 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 55m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $69.50 | $138.99 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $72.14 | $144.28 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $74.25 | $148.50 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $93.38 | $186.77 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026