How far is Fresno, CA from Grass Valley, CA?

The driving distance from Fresno, CA to Grass Valley, CA is about 223.4 miles (359.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 25m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 184.6 miles (297.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 51m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
223.41 mi
04h 25m
Flight
184.6 mi
297.09 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Fresno.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
184.6 mi
Kilometers
297.09 km
Flight Time
00h 22m

Driving Distance

Road route
223.41 mi
Kilometers
359.54 km
Drive Time
04h 25m

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 25m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Grass Valley
Mon, May 25, 3:48 AM PDT
Return by in Fresno
Mon, May 25, 8:14 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fresno
2026-05-24T23:22
Arrive Grass Valley
Mon, May 25, 3:48 AM PDT
Route Timing
04h 25m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:26 AM to 12:26 PM PDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:08 AM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Fresno
9:00 PM PDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Manteca
CA

A city in San Joaquin County, California.

From Fresno
111.7 mi
02h 12m
To Grass Valley
111.7 mi
02h 12m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
89°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 24 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NW
Destination
79°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 24 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
1 to 6 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Fresno and Grass Valley.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fresno and Grass Valley.

  1. 1

    Start on East Washington Avenue

    9 m · 3 sec · East Washington Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North First Street

    968 ft · 23 sec · North First Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto East Belmont Avenue

    2.9 mi · 6 min · East Belmont Avenue

  4. 4

    Take the ramp right toward CA 99 North

    965 ft · 23 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    9.4 mi · 11 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward Avenue 7

    2522 ft · 31 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    21.4 mi · 24 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on Northbound California State Route 99

    84.6 mi · 1 hr 38 min · Northbound California State Route 99

  9. 9

    Continue on Golden State Highway

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Golden State Highway

  10. 10

    Continue on Old U.S. Route 99E

    1.3 mi · 1 min · Old U.S. Route 99E

  11. 11

    Keep slight left

    44.7 mi · 52 min

  12. 12

    Continue on Capital City Freeway

    8.9 mi · 10 min · Capital City Freeway

  13. 13

    Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    7 mi · 8 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  14. 14

    Continue on Alan S. Hart Freeway

    16.9 mi · 19 min · Alan S. Hart Freeway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 49 North: Grass Valley, Placerville

    943 ft · 31 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Grass Valley Highway

    5.8 mi · 9 min · Grass Valley Highway

  17. 17

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Grass Valley Highway

    36 m · 3 sec · Grass Valley Highway

  18. 18

    Exit the roundabout onto Grass Valley Highway

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Grass Valley Highway

  19. 19

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Grass Valley Highway

    36 m · 3 sec · Grass Valley Highway

  20. 20

    Exit the roundabout onto Grass Valley Highway

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Grass Valley Highway

  21. 21

    Continue on State Highway 49

    14.8 mi · 20 min · State Highway 49

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 174

    993 ft · 14 sec

  23. 23

    Keep slight left to continue on CA 174

    51 m · 5 sec

  24. 24

    Turn left onto South Auburn Street

    1297 ft · 33 sec · South Auburn Street

  25. 25

    Turn right onto East Main Street

    104 m · 10 sec · East Main Street

  26. 26

    Turn right onto Stewart Street

    36 m · 5 sec · Stewart Street

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Stewart Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Fresno and Grass Valley.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
27 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
2 merges, 8 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Northbound California State Route 99
84.6 mi · 38%
Old U.S. Route 99E
46 mi · 21%
Avenue 7
21.9 mi · 10%
Alan S. Hart Freeway
16.9 mi · 8%
State Highway 49
14.8 mi · 7%
CA 99 North
9.59 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 25m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+38.8 mi
184.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Manteca
02h 12m from Fresno
Leave By
8:08 AM PDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Fresno and Mostly Sunny near Grass Valley.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Fresno to Grass Valley?

The road trip is about 223.4 miles (359.5 km) and usually takes 04h 25m 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?

Manteca is a useful midpoint, sitting about 111.7 miles from Fresno and 111.7 miles from Grass Valley.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 184.6 miles (297.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.8 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 8:08 AM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $45.46 one way or $90.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 70 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Fresno and Mostly Sunny near Grass Valley.

Stop Ideas Near Manteca

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Manteca, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Manteca.

RAIL

Manteca, CA

4 mi away
17800 Shideler Parkway
RAIL

Stockton – San Joaquin Street

18 mi away
735 S. San Joaquin St
RAIL

Robert J. Cabral Station

19 mi away
949 East Channel St.
BUS

Tracy, California

20 mi away
725 West Clover Road

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fresno and Grass Valley. Straight-line distance: 184.6 mi (297.09 km).

Fresno

#1 Fresno

The fifth most populous city in California and the center of the Fresno metropolitan area.

Population530,267
Coordinates36.7477300, -119.7723700
Altitude94
CountryUnited States
Grass Valley

#2 Grass Valley

City in Nevada County, California, United States

Population12,763
Coordinates39.2190600, -121.0610600
Altitude735
CountryUnited States
Start: Fresno (-119.77237, 36.74773)
End: Grass Valley (-121.06106, 39.21906)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 360 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 26m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 35m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 28m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 43m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 11m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 47m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.88 gal
29.84 L · about $45.46
Round trip
$90.92
15.76 gal · 59.68 L
Estimated CO2
70 kg one way
Round trip: 140.1 kg / 309 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $45.46 $90.92
Mid-grade $6.07 $47.80 $95.60
Premium $6.24 $49.19 $98.39
Diesel $7.57 $59.63 $119.26

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 25, 2026

There is no time difference between Fresno and Grass Valley. The current time is 23:22:32.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.