How far is Irvine, CA from Modesto, CA?
The driving distance from Irvine, CA to Modesto, CA is about 362.9 miles (584.1 km), with a travel time of about 06h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 327 miles (526.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 31m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 15m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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
Slight Chance Light Rain then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Irvine and Modesto.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Irvine and Modesto.
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1
Start on San Diego Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · San Diego Freeway
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2
Take the exit slight right toward University Drive, Jeffrey Road
1456 ft · 21 sec
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3
Turn left onto Jeffrey Road
951 ft · 22 sec · Jeffrey Road
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 405 North: Los Angeles
1228 ft · 18 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
4.2 mi · 5 min · San Diego Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward CA 55 South, CA 55 North: Freeway
1254 ft · 16 sec
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7
Keep slight right to continue on CA 55 North
2685 ft · 35 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Costa Mesa Freeway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Costa Mesa Freeway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Costa Mesa Freeway
2136 ft · 28 sec · Costa Mesa Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 North: Santa Ana
1.1 km · 47 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
2756 ft · 36 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.7 mi · 2 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
9.4 mi · 11 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
18 mi · 21 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Golden State Freeway
25.5 mi · 30 min · Golden State Freeway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Golden State Freeway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
1.5 mi · 2 min
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18
Keep slight left
36.1 mi · 42 min
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19
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
22.3 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway
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20
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
27.4 mi · 30 min · Golden State Freeway
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21
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
6 mi · 7 min · Golden State Freeway
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22
Continue on Golden State Highway
111.4 mi · 2 hr · Golden State Highway
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23
Take the exit slight right toward Avenue 7
2522 ft · 31 sec
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24
Merge slight left
21.4 mi · 24 min
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25
Keep slight right to continue on Northbound California State Route 99
59.9 mi · 1 hr 10 min · Northbound California State Route 99
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26
Take the exit slight right toward 6th Street, G Street
1094 ft · 24 sec
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27
Continue on 6th Street
758 ft · 26 sec · 6th Street
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28
Turn right onto G Street
1893 ft · 1 min · G Street
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29
Turn left onto 11th Street
122 m · 18 sec · 11th Street
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 11th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Irvine and Modesto.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Golden State Highway
Continue on Golden State Highway
111 mi · 02h 00m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Sunny leaving Irvine and Slight Chance Light Rain then Mostly Sunny near Modesto.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Irvine to Modesto?
The road trip is about 362.9 miles (584.1 km) and usually takes 06h 15m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
McFarland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 178 miles from Irvine and 184.9 miles from Modesto.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 327 miles (526.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.9 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 7:30 AM PDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $73.90 one way or $147.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 113.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Irvine and Slight Chance Light Rain then Mostly Sunny near Modesto.
Stop Ideas Near McFarland
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 McFarland.
Wasco station
Bakersfield
Corcoran station
Visalia, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Irvine and Modesto. Straight-line distance: 327.02 mi (526.28 km).
#1 Irvine
A city located in Orange County, California.
| Population | 283,700 |
| Coordinates | 33.6694600, -117.8231100 |
| Altitude | 17 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Modesto
The third most populous city in Stanislaus County, California.
| Population | 215,666 |
| Coordinates | 37.6391000, -120.9968800 |
| Altitude | 28 |
| Country | United States |
End: 11th Street (-120.996829, 37.639137)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 584 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 12h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $73.90 | $147.80 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $77.71 | $155.41 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $79.97 | $159.95 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $96.93 | $193.87 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.