How far is National City, CA from Fresno, CA?
The driving distance from National City, CA to Fresno, CA is about 349.8 miles (562.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 319.5 miles (514.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 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 05h 28m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California
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 National City and Fresno.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between National City and Fresno.
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1
Start on the route
12 m · 8 sec
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2
Turn left onto East 8th Street
42 m · 12 sec · East 8th Street
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3
Turn left onto Highland Avenue
2645 ft · 51 sec · Highland Avenue
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4
Turn right onto Division Street
2387 ft · 55 sec · Division Street
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5
Turn left onto North Palm Avenue
871 ft · 17 sec · North Palm Avenue
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6
Continue on South 47th Street
733 ft · 20 sec · South 47th Street
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7
Turn left onto I 805 North
1059 ft · 28 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Jacob Dekema Freeway
16.6 mi · 19 min · Jacob Dekema Freeway
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9
Keep slight left
1.3 km · 56 sec
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10
Merge slight right onto San Diego Freeway
35.4 mi · 42 min · San Diego Freeway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway
18.1 mi · 21 min · San Diego Freeway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway
7.4 mi · 9 min · San Diego Freeway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Bake Parkway
1.6 mi · 2 min
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14
Keep slight right
6 mi · 7 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Jamboree Road
1266 ft · 17 sec
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16
Continue straight
527 ft · 11 sec
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17
Turn right onto Jamboree Road
760 ft · 18 sec · Jamboree Road
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18
Turn left onto El Camino Real
2.2 mi · 5 min · El Camino Real
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19
Turn left onto Newport Avenue
109 m · 14 sec · Newport Avenue
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20
Take the ramp right toward I 5 North: Los Angeles
1127 ft · 17 sec
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21
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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22
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.7 mi · 2 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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23
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
9.4 mi · 11 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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24
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
18 mi · 21 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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25
Keep slight right to continue on Golden State Freeway
25.5 mi · 30 min · Golden State Freeway
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26
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Golden State Freeway
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27
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
1.5 mi · 2 min
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28
Keep slight left
36.1 mi · 42 min
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29
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
22.3 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway
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30
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
27.4 mi · 30 min · Golden State Freeway
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31
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
6 mi · 7 min · Golden State Freeway
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32
Continue on Golden State Highway
98.2 mi · 1 hr 45 min · Golden State Highway
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33
Take the exit slight right toward CA 41 North: Yosemite
1.1 km · 1 min
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34
Merge slight left onto Yosemite Freeway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Yosemite Freeway
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35
Continue on Dwight David Eisenhower Memorial Freeway
1042 ft · 14 sec · Dwight David Eisenhower Memorial Freeway
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36
Take the exit slight right toward Tulare Street
1517 ft · 41 sec
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37
Turn right onto East Tulare Avenue
1069 ft · 25 sec · East Tulare Avenue
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38
Turn left onto North 1st Street
119 m · 16 sec · North 1st Street
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39
Continue on North First Street
1320 ft · 32 sec · North First Street
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40
Turn right onto East Washington Avenue
9 m · 1 sec · East Washington Avenue
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41
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Washington Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between National City and Fresno.
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
98.2 mi · 01h 45m
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 National City and Mostly Sunny near Fresno.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from National City to Fresno?
The road trip is about 349.8 miles (562.9 km) and usually takes 05h 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?
Val Verde is a useful midpoint, sitting about 171.6 miles from National City and 178.3 miles from Fresno.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 319.5 miles (514.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.3 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 6:02 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $71.19 one way or $142.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 109.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around National City and Mostly Sunny near Fresno.
Stop Ideas Near Val Verde
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 Val Verde.
Santa Clarita-Newhall, California
Simi Valley
Chatsworth station
Fillmore, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between National City and Fresno. Straight-line distance: 319.52 mi (514.21 km).
#1 National City
The most populous city in San Diego County, California.
| Population | 61,394 |
| Coordinates | 32.6781100, -117.0992000 |
| Altitude | 21 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: East Washington Avenue (-119.77237, 36.747738)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 563 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 59m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $71.19 | $142.38 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $74.85 | $149.71 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $77.04 | $154.08 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $93.38 | $186.75 |
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.