How far is Fresno, CA from Penn Valley, CA?
The driving distance from Fresno, CA to Penn Valley, CA is about 230.2 miles (370.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 186 miles (299.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 12m 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 04h 36m.
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 Choctaw County, Mississippi, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Light Rain then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fresno and Penn Valley.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fresno and Penn Valley.
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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
44.7 mi · 52 min
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12
Continue on Capital City Freeway
8.9 mi · 10 min · Capital City Freeway
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13
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
7 mi · 8 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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14
Continue on Alan S. Hart Freeway
16.9 mi · 19 min · Alan S. Hart Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward CA 49 North: Grass Valley, Placerville
943 ft · 31 sec
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16
Turn left onto Grass Valley Highway
5.8 mi · 9 min · Grass Valley Highway
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17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Grass Valley Highway
36 m · 3 sec · Grass Valley Highway
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18
Exit the roundabout onto Grass Valley Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Grass Valley Highway
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Grass Valley Highway
36 m · 3 sec · Grass Valley Highway
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20
Exit the roundabout onto Grass Valley Highway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Grass Valley Highway
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21
Continue on State Highway 49
14.2 mi · 19 min · State Highway 49
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22
Take the exit slight right
993 ft · 22 sec
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23
Turn left onto Eric Rood Memorial Expressway
5.7 mi · 7 min · Eric Rood Memorial Expressway
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24
Turn left onto Penn Valley Drive
3183 ft · 1 min · Penn Valley Drive
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25
Continue on Penn Valley Drive
1.3 km · 1 min · Penn Valley Drive
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26
Turn left onto Horton Street
1647 ft · 1 min · Horton Street
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27
Turn left onto Lasso Loop
817 ft · 39 sec · Lasso Loop
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28
Turn right onto Willow Lane
121 m · 17 sec · Willow Lane
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Willow Lane
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fresno and Penn Valley.
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.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Fresno and Chance Light Rain then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Penn Valley.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fresno to Penn Valley?
The road trip is about 230.2 miles (370.4 km) and usually takes 04h 36m 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?
French Camp is a useful midpoint, sitting about 115.1 miles from Fresno and 115 miles from Penn Valley.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 186 miles (299.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.2 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 7:48 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $46.84 one way or $93.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 72.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Fresno and Chance Light Rain then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Penn Valley.
Stop Ideas Near French Camp
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 French Camp.
Stockton – San Joaquin Street
Robert J. Cabral Station
Manteca, CA
Tracy, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fresno and Penn Valley. Straight-line distance: 185.96 mi (299.28 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 Penn Valley
Census-designated place in Nevada County, California
| Population | 1,621 |
| Coordinates | 39.1960000, -121.1910700 |
| Altitude | 427 |
| Country | United States |
End: Penn Valley (-121.19107, 39.196)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 370 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 50m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 52m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $46.84 | $93.69 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $49.26 | $98.51 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $50.69 | $101.39 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $61.44 | $122.89 |
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.