How far is Fresno, CA from Dana Point, CA?
The driving distance from Fresno, CA to Dana Point, CA is about 278.5 miles (448.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 255.2 miles (410.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 37m 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 18m.
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.
City in California, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fresno and Dana Point.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fresno and Dana Point.
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1
Start on East Washington Avenue
9 m · 1 sec · East Washington Avenue
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2
Turn left onto North First Street
1702 ft · 49 sec · North First Street
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3
Turn right onto East Tulare Avenue
1227 ft · 29 sec · East Tulare Avenue
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4
Continue on Tulare Street
791 ft · 22 sec · Tulare Street
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5
Take the ramp left toward CA 41 South
1217 ft · 32 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Dwight David Eisenhower Memorial Freeway
954 ft · 13 sec · Dwight David Eisenhower Memorial Freeway
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7
Continue on Yosemite Freeway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Yosemite Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward CA 99 South: Bakersfield, Los Angeles
1.2 km · 2 min
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9
Merge slight left
39.6 mi · 43 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Highway
58.6 mi · 1 hr 3 min · Golden State Highway
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11
Continue on Golden State Freeway
5.2 mi · 6 min · Golden State Freeway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
27.4 mi · 30 min · Golden State Freeway
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
58.2 mi · 1 hr 7 min · Golden State Freeway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Golden State Freeway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on I 405 South
1354 ft · 18 sec
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16
Keep slight left
24.7 mi · 29 min
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17
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Golden State Freeway
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18
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
25.7 mi · 30 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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19
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1241 ft · 16 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
1.3 km · 57 sec
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21
Keep slight left
788 ft · 10 sec
-
22
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South
981 ft · 13 sec
-
23
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 km · 54 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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24
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.2 km · 52 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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25
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway
-
26
Take the exit slight right toward Newport Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min
-
27
Turn right onto Newport Avenue
1943 ft · 44 sec · Newport Avenue
-
28
Turn left onto Walnut Avenue
2.2 mi · 4 min · Walnut Avenue
-
29
Turn left onto Jamboree Road
2595 ft · 38 sec · Jamboree Road
-
30
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 South
1479 ft · 21 sec
-
31
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
5.5 mi · 6 min · Santa Ana Freeway
-
32
Keep slight left to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 km · 56 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
-
33
Merge slight right onto San Diego Freeway
14 mi · 16 min · San Diego Freeway
-
34
Take the exit slight right toward CA 1: Pacific Coast Highway, Camino Las Ramblas
1158 ft · 33 sec
-
35
Turn right onto Pacific Coast Highway
1.8 mi · 4 min · Pacific Coast Highway
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36
Turn left onto Golden Lantern Street
40 m · 7 sec · Golden Lantern Street
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37
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Golden Lantern Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fresno and Dana Point.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Golden State Highway
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Highway
58.6 mi · 01h 03m
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 Mostly Sunny near Dana Point.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fresno to Dana Point?
The road trip is about 278.5 miles (448.2 km) and usually takes 05h 18m 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?
Lebec is a useful midpoint, sitting about 139.4 miles from Fresno and 139.1 miles from Dana Point.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 255.2 miles (410.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.3 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 6:22 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $56.71 one way or $113.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 87.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Fresno and Mostly Sunny near Dana Point.
Stop Ideas Near Lebec
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 Lebec.
Fillmore, California
Tehachapi, California
Santa Paula, California
Santa Clarita-Newhall, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fresno and Dana Point. Straight-line distance: 255.18 mi (410.68 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 Dana Point
City in California, US
| Population | 33,436 |
| Coordinates | 33.4669700, -117.6981100 |
| Altitude | 44 |
| Country | United States |
End: Dana Point (-117.69811, 33.46697)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 448 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $56.71 | $113.42 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $59.63 | $119.26 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $61.37 | $122.74 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $74.38 | $148.77 |
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 · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.