How far is Fresno, CA from Santa Clarita, CA?
The driving distance from Fresno, CA to Santa Clarita, CA is about 189.1 miles (304.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 176.8 miles (284.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 04m 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 03h 32m.
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 Kern County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fresno and Santa Clarita.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fresno and Santa Clarita.
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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
52.9 mi · 1 hr 1 min · Golden State Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward McBean Parkway
1363 ft · 37 sec
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15
Turn left
33 m · 3 sec
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16
Turn straight onto Stevenson Ranch Parkway
66 m · 4 sec · Stevenson Ranch Parkway
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17
Continue on McBean Parkway
1.1 mi · 2 min · McBean Parkway
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18
Turn right onto Orchard Village Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Orchard Village Road
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19
Turn left onto 16th Street
1674 ft · 46 sec · 16th Street
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20
Turn left onto Newhall Avenue
137 m · 20 sec · Newhall Avenue
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Newhall Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fresno and Santa Clarita.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Fresno and Mostly Sunny near Santa Clarita.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fresno to Santa Clarita?
The road trip is about 189.1 miles (304.3 km) and usually takes 03h 32m 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?
Shafter is a useful midpoint, sitting about 94.6 miles from Fresno and 94.4 miles from Santa Clarita.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 176.8 miles (284.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.3 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 9:56 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.48 one way or $76.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Fresno and Mostly Sunny near Santa Clarita.
Stop Ideas Near Shafter
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 Shafter.
Wasco station
Bakersfield
Corcoran station
Kettleman City, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fresno and Santa Clarita. Straight-line distance: 176.85 mi (284.61 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 Santa Clarita
The second most populous city in Los Angeles County, California.
| Population | 209,990 |
| Coordinates | 34.3916600, -118.5425900 |
| Altitude | 368 |
| Country | United States |
End: Santa Clarita (-118.54259, 34.39166)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 304 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $38.48 | $76.96 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $40.46 | $80.92 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $41.64 | $83.28 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $50.47 | $100.94 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.