How far is Fresno, CA from Waterford, CA?
The driving distance from Fresno, CA to Waterford, CA is about 88.5 miles (142.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 82.3 miles (132.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 53m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
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 01h 56m.
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 Merced 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 Waterford.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fresno and Waterford.
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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
28.2 mi · 33 min · Northbound California State Route 99
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9
Take the exit slight right toward Atwater Boulevard
1940 ft · 47 sec
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10
Turn straight onto Atwater Boulevard
63 m · 7 sec · Atwater Boulevard
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11
Turn right onto Shaffer Road
2.3 mi · 4 min · Shaffer Road
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12
Turn left onto Santa Fe Drive
12.1 mi · 18 min · Santa Fe Drive
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13
Continue on Santa Fe Avenue
1701 ft · 35 sec · Santa Fe Avenue
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14
Turn sharp right onto East Avenue
1254 ft · 27 sec · East Avenue
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15
Turn left onto North Hickman Road
10.1 mi · 18 min · North Hickman Road
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16
Continue on F Street
970 ft · 20 sec · F Street
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17
Keep slight right to continue on F Street
14 m · 2 sec · F Street
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18
Turn right onto E Street
130 m · 24 sec · E Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · E Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fresno and Waterford.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Northbound California State Route 99
Keep slight right to continue on Northbound California State Route 99
28.2 mi · 00h 33m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Fresno and Mostly Sunny near Waterford.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fresno to Waterford?
The road trip is about 88.5 miles (142.5 km) and usually takes 01h 56m 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?
Le Grand is a useful midpoint, sitting about 44.3 miles from Fresno and 44.3 miles from Waterford.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 82.3 miles (132.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.2 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:36 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.06 one way or $36.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Fresno and Mostly Sunny near Waterford.
Stop Ideas Near Le Grand
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 Le Grand.
Merced station
Madera
Mariposa, CA
Mariposa, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fresno and Waterford. Straight-line distance: 82.28 mi (132.41 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 Waterford
City in Stanislaus County, California, United States
| Population | 8,944 |
| Coordinates | 37.6413200, -120.7604800 |
| Altitude | 52 |
| Country | United States |
End: Waterford (-120.76048, 37.64132)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 143 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $18.06 | $36.11 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $18.99 | $37.97 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $19.54 | $39.08 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $23.68 | $47.37 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.