How far is Fresno, CA from Thornton, CA?
The driving distance from Fresno, CA to Thornton, CA is about 147.6 miles (237.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 136.5 miles (219.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 45m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PST.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 52m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fresno and Thornton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fresno and Thornton.
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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 right to continue on CA 4
3.1 mi · 4 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 5: Sacramento
2364 ft · 51 sec
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 North
3062 ft · 1 min
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14
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
20.7 mi · 23 min · Westside Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Walnut Grove Road
1290 ft · 30 sec
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16
Turn right onto West Walnut Grove Road
127 m · 8 sec · West Walnut Grove Road
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17
Continue on Thornton Road
1035 ft · 21 sec · Thornton Road
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Thornton Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fresno and Thornton.
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 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.
Sunny leaving Fresno and Patchy Fog then Sunny near Thornton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fresno to Thornton?
The road trip is about 147.6 miles (237.5 km) and usually takes 02h 52m 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?
Livingston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 73.8 miles from Fresno and 73.8 miles from Thornton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 136.5 miles (219.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.1 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 PST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:44 PM PST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.43 one way or $60.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Fresno and Patchy Fog then Sunny near Thornton.
Stop Ideas Near Livingston
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 Livingston.
Denair station
Merced station
Modesto station
Manteca, CA
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fresno and Thornton. Straight-line distance: 136.52 mi (219.71 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 Thornton
Situated at an elevation of 13 feet in San Joaquin County, this census-designated place lies within the low-lying Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta region.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 38.2260300, -121.4246700 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| Country | United States |
End: Thornton (-121.42467, 38.22603)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 237 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 50m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.84 | $30.43 | $60.85 |
| Mid-grade | $6.09 | $31.71 | $63.42 |
| Premium | $6.28 | $32.70 | $65.40 |
| Diesel | $8.28 | $43.14 | $86.29 |
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 · Nov 06, 2026