How far is Fresno, CA from Modesto, CA?

The driving distance from Fresno, CA to Modesto, CA is about 96.1 miles (154.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 41m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 91.3 miles (146.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 22m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
96.06 mi
01h 41m
Flight
91.3 mi
146.93 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Fresno.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
91.3 mi
Kilometers
146.93 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
96.06 mi
Kilometers
154.6 km
Drive Time
01h 41m

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 01h 41m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Modesto
Wed, Apr 22, 4:34 PM PDT
Return by in Fresno
Wed, Apr 22, 6:15 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fresno
2026-04-22T14:53
Arrive Modesto
Wed, Apr 22, 4:34 PM PDT
Route Timing
01h 41m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:41 AM to 11:41 AM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:08 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Fresno
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

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
Planada
CA

Census-designated place in California

From Fresno
47.6 mi
00h 50m
To Modesto
48.5 mi
00h 50m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
68°F
Wednesday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph NNE
Destination
67°F
Wednesday

Slight Chance Light Rain then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 8 mph NE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fresno and Modesto.

  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

    59.9 mi · 1 hr 10 min · Northbound California State Route 99

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward 6th Street, G Street

    1094 ft · 24 sec

  10. 10

    Continue on 6th Street

    758 ft · 26 sec · 6th Street

  11. 11

    Turn right onto G Street

    1893 ft · 1 min · G Street

  12. 12

    Turn left onto 11th Street

    122 m · 18 sec · 11th Street

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 11th Street

Car Route Details

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

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
13 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Northbound California State Route 99
59.9 mi · 62%
Avenue 7
21.9 mi · 23%
CA 99 North
9.59 mi · 10%
East Belmont Avenue
2.9 mi · 3%
G Street
0.36 mi
6th Street
0.35 mi
Longest Stretch

Northbound California State Route 99

Keep slight right to continue on Northbound California State Route 99

59.9 mi · 01h 10m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 41m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.8 mi
91.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Planada
00h 50m from Fresno
Leave By
3:08 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Fresno and Slight Chance Light Rain then Mostly Sunny near Modesto.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Fresno to Modesto?

The road trip is about 96.1 miles (154.6 km) and usually takes 01h 41m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Planada is a useful midpoint, sitting about 47.6 miles from Fresno and 48.5 miles from Modesto.

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

The direct path is about 91.3 miles (146.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:08 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.56 one way or $39.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Fresno and Slight Chance Light Rain then Mostly Sunny near Modesto.

Stop Ideas Near Planada

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Planada, 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 Planada.

RAIL

Merced station

14 mi away
324 West 24th St
BUS

Mariposa, CA

38 mi away
Highway 140 and 7th Street
BUS

Mariposa, California

38 mi away
5158 State Highway 140
RAIL

Madera

44 mi away
Avenue 15 1/2 at 29th Road

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fresno and Modesto. Straight-line distance: 91.3 mi (146.93 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
Modesto

#2 Modesto

The third most populous city in Stanislaus County, California.

Population215,666
Coordinates37.6391000, -120.9968800
Altitude28
CountryUnited States
Start: East Washington Avenue (-119.77237, 36.747738)
End: 11th Street (-120.996829, 37.639137)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 155 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 12m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 24m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 55m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 36m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 22m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 11m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.39 gal
12.83 L · about $19.56
Round trip
$39.11
6.78 gal · 25.66 L
Estimated CO2
30.1 kg one way
Round trip: 60.3 kg / 133 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $19.56 $39.11
Mid-grade $6.07 $20.56 $41.13
Premium $6.24 $21.16 $42.33
Diesel $7.57 $25.65 $51.30

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 22, 2026

There is no time difference between Fresno and Modesto. The current time is 14:53:15.

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.