How far is San Diego, CA from Fresno, CA?

The driving distance from San Diego, CA to Fresno, CA is about 345.7 miles (556.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 25m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 315.5 miles (507.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 50m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
345.72 mi
05h 25m
Flight
315.45 mi
507.67 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from San Diego.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
315.45 mi
Kilometers
507.67 km
Flight Time
00h 38m

Driving Distance

Road route
345.72 mi
Kilometers
556.39 km
Drive Time
05h 25m

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 25m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fresno
Wed, Apr 22, 6:55 PM PDT
Return by in San Diego
Thu, Apr 23, 12:20 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave San Diego
2026-04-22T13:30
Arrive Fresno
Wed, Apr 22, 6:55 PM PDT
Route Timing
05h 25m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:25 AM to 1:25 PM PDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
6:10 AM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in San Diego
9:00 PM PDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Val Verde
CA

Census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California

From San Diego
169.7 mi
02h 42m
To Fresno
176 mi
02h 42m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
69°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph NW
Destination
68°F
Wednesday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph NNE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between San Diego and Fresno.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between San Diego and Fresno.

  1. 1

    Start on Front Street

    8 m · 6 sec · Front Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West Broadway

    88 m · 12 sec · West Broadway

  3. 3

    Turn left onto 1st Avenue

    3072 ft · 1 min · 1st Avenue

  4. 4

    Take the ramp left toward I 5 North: Los Angeles

    1017 ft · 25 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway

    13.5 mi · 16 min · San Diego Freeway

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway

    36.3 mi · 43 min · San Diego Freeway

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway

    18.1 mi · 21 min · San Diego Freeway

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway

    7.4 mi · 9 min · San Diego Freeway

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on Bake Parkway

    1.6 mi · 2 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight right

    6 mi · 7 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Jamboree Road

    1266 ft · 17 sec

  12. 12

    Continue straight

    527 ft · 11 sec

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Jamboree Road

    760 ft · 18 sec · Jamboree Road

  14. 14

    Turn left onto El Camino Real

    2.2 mi · 5 min · El Camino Real

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Newport Avenue

    109 m · 14 sec · Newport Avenue

  16. 16

    Take the ramp right toward I 5 North: Los Angeles

    1127 ft · 17 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway

    1.3 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway

  18. 18

    Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway

    1.7 mi · 2 min · Santa Ana Freeway

  19. 19

    Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway

    9.4 mi · 11 min · Santa Ana Freeway

  20. 20

    Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway

    18 mi · 21 min · Santa Ana Freeway

  21. 21

    Keep slight right to continue on Golden State Freeway

    25.5 mi · 30 min · Golden State Freeway

  22. 22

    Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Golden State Freeway

  23. 23

    Keep slight right to continue on I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck

    1.5 mi · 2 min

  24. 24

    Keep slight left

    36.1 mi · 42 min

  25. 25

    Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway

    22.3 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway

  26. 26

    Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway

    27.4 mi · 30 min · Golden State Freeway

  27. 27

    Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway

    6 mi · 7 min · Golden State Freeway

  28. 28

    Continue on Golden State Highway

    98.2 mi · 1 hr 45 min · Golden State Highway

  29. 29

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 41 North: Yosemite

    1.1 km · 1 min

  30. 30

    Merge slight left onto Yosemite Freeway

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Yosemite Freeway

  31. 31

    Continue on Dwight David Eisenhower Memorial Freeway

    1042 ft · 14 sec · Dwight David Eisenhower Memorial Freeway

  32. 32

    Take the exit slight right toward Tulare Street

    1517 ft · 41 sec

  33. 33

    Turn right onto East Tulare Avenue

    1069 ft · 25 sec · East Tulare Avenue

  34. 34

    Turn left onto North 1st Street

    119 m · 16 sec · North 1st Street

  35. 35

    Continue on North First Street

    1320 ft · 32 sec · North First Street

  36. 36

    Turn right onto East Washington Avenue

    9 m · 1 sec · East Washington Avenue

  37. 37

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Washington Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between San Diego and Fresno.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
37 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
3 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Golden State Highway
98.2 mi · 28%
Golden State Freeway
83.3 mi · 24%
San Diego Freeway
75.2 mi · 22%
I 5 Truck North
37.7 mi · 11%
Santa Ana Freeway
30.4 mi · 9%
Bake Parkway
7.61 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
05h 25m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+30.2 mi
315.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Val Verde
02h 42m from San Diego
Leave By
6:10 AM PDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving San Diego and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Fresno.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from San Diego to Fresno?

The road trip is about 345.7 miles (556.4 km) and usually takes 05h 25m 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 169.7 miles from San Diego and 176 miles from Fresno.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 315.5 miles (507.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:10 AM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $70.38 one way or $140.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 108.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around San Diego and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Fresno.

Stop Ideas Near Val Verde

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Val Verde, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Val Verde.

RAIL

Santa Clarita-Newhall, California

14 mi away
24300 Railroad Avenue
RAIL

Simi Valley

20 mi away
5050 Los Angeles Avenue
RAIL

Chatsworth station

22 mi away
10040 Old Depot Plaza Road
BUS

Fillmore, California

24 mi away
718 West Ventura St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between San Diego and Fresno. Straight-line distance: 315.45 mi (507.67 km).

San Diego

#1 San Diego

The eighth most populous city in the United States and the center of the San Diego metropolitan area.

Population1,422,420
Coordinates32.7157100, -117.1647200
Altitude20
CountryUnited States
Fresno

#2 Fresno

The fifth most populous city in California and the center of the Fresno metropolitan area.

Population530,267
Coordinates36.7477300, -119.7723700
Altitude94
CountryUnited States
Start: Front Street (-117.164717, 32.71571)
End: East Washington Avenue (-119.77237, 36.747738)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 556 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)11h 31m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)08h 38m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 54m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 45m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 56m
80 mph (129 km/h)04h 18m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
12.2 gal
46.18 L · about $70.38
Round trip
$140.76
24.4 gal · 92.36 L
Estimated CO2
108.4 kg one way
Round trip: 216.8 kg / 478 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $70.38 $140.76
Mid-grade $6.07 $74.01 $148.01
Premium $6.24 $76.16 $152.33
Diesel $7.57 $92.32 $184.63

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

There is no time difference between San Diego and Fresno. The current time is 13:30:35.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.