How far is Fresno, CA from Stanford, CA?
The driving distance from Fresno, CA to Stanford, CA is about 168.5 miles (271.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 139.9 miles (225.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 57m 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 28m.
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.
The county seat of Merced County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fresno and Stanford.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fresno and Stanford.
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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 left to continue on NB SR 99 to WB 152
2067 ft · 27 sec · NB SR 99 to WB 152
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9
Continue on Westbound California State Route 152
1.4 km · 60 sec · Westbound California State Route 152
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10
Continue on Avenue 23
70.4 mi · 1 hr 25 min · Avenue 23
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11
Keep slight right
11.9 mi · 17 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward US 101 North: San Jose
2466 ft · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left onto South Valley Freeway
19.9 mi · 23 min · South Valley Freeway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on CA 85 North: Cupertino, Mountain View
18.4 mi · 21 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 280 North, I 280 South: San Jose, San Francisco
2744 ft · 1 min
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16
Keep slight left to continue on I 280 North: San Francisco
3159 ft · 1 min
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17
Merge slight left onto Junipero Serra Freeway
7 mi · 8 min · Junipero Serra Freeway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward Page Mill Road, Palo Alto
2185 ft · 51 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto Page Mill Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · Page Mill Road
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20
Turn left onto Peter Coutts Road
2982 ft · 1 min · Peter Coutts Road
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21
At the end of the road, turn right onto Stanford Avenue
744 ft · 33 sec · Stanford Avenue
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22
Turn left onto Bowdoin Street
1931 ft · 55 sec · Bowdoin Street
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23
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Campus Drive East
54 m · 5 sec · Campus Drive East
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24
Exit the roundabout onto Campus Drive East
1061 ft · 42 sec · Campus Drive East
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25
Turn right onto Arguello Mall
69 m · 17 sec · Arguello Mall
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26
Turn left onto Bowdoin Lane
99 m · 14 sec · Bowdoin Lane
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Bowdoin Lane
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fresno and Stanford.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Avenue 23
Continue on Avenue 23
70.4 mi · 01h 25m
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 Sunny near Stanford.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fresno to Stanford?
The road trip is about 168.5 miles (271.1 km) and usually takes 03h 28m 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?
Los Banos is a useful midpoint, sitting about 84.1 miles from Fresno and 84.3 miles from Stanford.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 139.9 miles (225.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.6 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 10:02 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.27 one way or $68.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Fresno and Sunny near Stanford.
Stop Ideas Near Los Banos
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 Los Banos.
Merced station
Denair station
Gilroy, California
Modesto station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fresno and Stanford. Straight-line distance: 139.96 mi (225.25 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 Stanford
Private research university located in Stanford, California, United States
| Population | 13,809 |
| Coordinates | 37.4241100, -122.1660800 |
| Altitude | 23 |
| Country | United States |
End: Stanford (-122.16608, 37.42411)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 271 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $34.27 | $68.54 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $36.03 | $72.06 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $37.08 | $74.17 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $44.95 | $89.90 |
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.