How far is Thermal, CA from Fresno, CA?
The driving distance from Thermal, CA to Fresno, CA is about 354.5 miles (570.5 km), with a travel time of about 06h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 296.9 miles (477.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 18m 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 09m.
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.
Census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Thermal and Fresno.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thermal and Fresno.
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1
Start on Grapefruit Boulevard
1609 ft · 36 sec · Grapefruit Boulevard
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2
Turn left onto Palm Street
653 ft · 36 sec · Palm Street
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3
Turn left onto Airport Boulevard
1.1 km · 1 min · Airport Boulevard
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4
Take the ramp right toward CA 86 N: CA 86 N
896 ft · 25 sec
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5
Merge slight left
6.6 mi · 8 min
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6
Merge slight right onto Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
32.6 mi · 35 min · Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
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7
Continue on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
39.9 mi · 44 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
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8
Continue on San Bernardino Freeway
13.9 mi · 16 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
9.3 mi · 10 min · I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
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10
Merge slight right onto San Bernardino Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.4 km · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.3 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.9 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.3 km · 55 sec · San Bernardino Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward CA 57: Santa Ana
1086 ft · 27 sec
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16
Keep slight right to continue on CA 57 North
2267 ft · 55 sec
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17
Continue straight
3.4 mi · 4 min
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I 210 West: Pasadena
1.1 mi · 2 min
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19
Merge slight left onto Foothill Freeway
18.3 mi · 21 min · Foothill Freeway
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
25.6 mi · 30 min · Foothill Freeway
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21
Keep slight right
686 ft · 9 sec
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22
Merge slight right
1.6 km · 1 min
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23
Keep slight left
36.1 mi · 42 min
-
24
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
22.3 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway
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25
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
27.4 mi · 30 min · Golden State Freeway
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26
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
6 mi · 7 min · Golden State Freeway
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27
Continue on Golden State Highway
98.2 mi · 1 hr 45 min · Golden State Highway
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28
Take the exit slight right toward CA 41 North: Yosemite
1.1 km · 1 min
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29
Merge slight left onto Yosemite Freeway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Yosemite Freeway
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30
Continue on Dwight David Eisenhower Memorial Freeway
1042 ft · 14 sec · Dwight David Eisenhower Memorial Freeway
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31
Take the exit slight right toward Tulare Street
1517 ft · 41 sec
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32
Turn right onto East Tulare Avenue
1069 ft · 25 sec · East Tulare Avenue
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33
Turn left onto North 1st Street
119 m · 16 sec · North 1st Street
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34
Continue on North First Street
1320 ft · 32 sec · North First Street
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35
Turn right onto East Washington Avenue
9 m · 1 sec · East Washington Avenue
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36
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Washington Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Thermal 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.
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.
Sunny leaving Thermal and Sunny near Fresno.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Thermal to Fresno?
The road trip is about 354.5 miles (570.5 km) and usually takes 06h 09m 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?
Val Verde is a useful midpoint, sitting about 176.2 miles from Thermal and 178.3 miles from Fresno.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 296.9 miles (477.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 57.6 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 $78.33 one way or $156.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 111.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Thermal and 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 Thermal and Fresno. Straight-line distance: 296.89 mi (477.8 km).
#1 Thermal
Situated within Riverside County's Coachella Valley near the Salton Sea, this desert community lies at an elevation of approximately 118 feet below sea level.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 33.6403000, -116.1394500 |
| Altitude | -36 |
| 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: 571 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 03m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $78.33 | $156.65 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $81.30 | $162.60 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $83.68 | $167.36 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $105.25 | $210.49 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026