How far is Fresno, CA from Petaluma, CA?
The driving distance from Fresno, CA to Petaluma, CA is about 217 miles (349.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 187.5 miles (301.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 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 04h 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.
A city in San Joaquin County, California.
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 Petaluma.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fresno and Petaluma.
-
1
Start on East Washington Avenue
9 m · 3 sec · East Washington Avenue
-
2
Turn right onto North First Street
968 ft · 23 sec · North First Street
-
3
Turn left onto East Belmont Avenue
2.9 mi · 6 min · East Belmont Avenue
-
4
Take the ramp right toward CA 99 North
965 ft · 23 sec
-
5
Merge slight left
9.4 mi · 11 min
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward Avenue 7
2522 ft · 31 sec
-
7
Merge slight left
21.4 mi · 24 min
-
8
Keep slight right to continue on Northbound California State Route 99
74.7 mi · 1 hr 27 min · Northbound California State Route 99
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward CA 120 West: Manteca, San Francisco
1.5 km · 2 min
-
10
Merge slight right
6.8 mi · 8 min
-
11
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Westside Freeway
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on Robert T. Monagan Freeway
13.9 mi · 16 min · Robert T. Monagan Freeway
-
13
Continue on Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
18 mi · 21 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
-
14
Keep slight right to continue on Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
11.6 mi · 13 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
-
15
Keep slight right to continue on MacArthur Freeway
8.3 mi · 10 min · MacArthur Freeway
-
16
Keep slight left to continue on MacArthur Freeway
8.3 mi · 10 min · MacArthur Freeway
-
17
Continue on Eastshore Freeway
3.3 mi · 4 min · Eastshore Freeway
-
18
Keep slight right to continue on John T. Knox Freeway
12.9 mi · 17 min · John T. Knox Freeway
-
19
Keep slight left to continue on US 101 North: San Rafeal
1.1 km · 54 sec
-
20
Merge slight left onto Redwood Highway
19.6 mi · 23 min · Redwood Highway
-
21
Take the exit slight right toward Petaluma Boulevard South, Kastania Road
1506 ft · 41 sec
-
22
Turn right onto Kastania Road
93 m · 14 sec · Kastania Road
-
23
Continue on Petaluma Boulevard South
1.3 km · 1 min · Petaluma Boulevard South
-
24
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Petaluma Boulevard South
30 m · 2 sec · Petaluma Boulevard South
-
25
Exit the roundabout onto Petaluma Boulevard South
1.1 mi · 3 min · Petaluma Boulevard South
-
26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Petaluma Boulevard South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fresno and Petaluma.
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
74.7 mi · 01h 27m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Fresno and Mostly Sunny near Petaluma.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fresno to Petaluma?
The road trip is about 217 miles (349.3 km) and usually takes 04h 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?
Manteca is a useful midpoint, sitting about 108.4 miles from Fresno and 108.6 miles from Petaluma.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 187.5 miles (301.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.5 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 8:22 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $44.19 one way or $88.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 68.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Fresno and Mostly Sunny near Petaluma.
Stop Ideas Near Manteca
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 Manteca.
Manteca, CA
Stockton – San Joaquin Street
Robert J. Cabral Station
Tracy, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fresno and Petaluma. Straight-line distance: 187.55 mi (301.83 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 Petaluma
The most populous city in Sonoma County, California.
| Population | 60,632 |
| Coordinates | 38.2324200, -122.6366500 |
| Altitude | 9 |
| Country | United States |
End: Petaluma (-122.63665, 38.23242)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 349 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $44.19 | $88.38 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $46.47 | $92.93 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $47.82 | $95.64 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $57.96 | $115.93 |
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 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.