Drive or Fly: Ukiah, CA to Fontana, CA?
Side-by-side comparison of driving versus flying for this route. Costs, time, and trade-offs at a glance.
Could go either way
This distance is a toss-up. Drive if you want flexibility and lower cost, fly if you value time.
Drive
Door to Door
10h 3m
Distance
533.5 mi
Total Cost
$252
CO2
216 kg
Cost Breakdown
Fuel$72
Hotel (1 night)$110
Meals (2 days)$70
+
No luggage restrictions or TSA lines
+
Stop anywhere along the route
+
Have your own car at the destination
−
Requires 2 days of driving
−
Driver fatigue on longer stretches
−
Wear and tear on vehicle
−
Fuel price fluctuations
Fly
Door to Door
4h 37m
57m in the air
Air Distance
474 mi
Total Cost
$194
CO2
121 kg
Cost Breakdown
Estimated ticket$139
Rental car (1 day)$55
Nearest Airports
Ukiah, CAUkiah Municipal Airport (2 mi)
Fontana, CARiverside Municipal Airport (10 mi)
+
Saves about 5h 26m compared to driving
+
Less physical fatigue
+
Predictable arrival time
−
Airport security and check-in overhead
−
May need a rental car at destination
−
Luggage fees and restrictions
−
Less flexibility for stops along the way
At a Glance
| Drive | Fly | |
|---|---|---|
| Door-to-door time | 10h 3m | 4h 37m |
| Total cost (1 person) | $252 | $194 |
| Carbon footprint | 216 kg CO2 | 121 kg CO2 |
| Flexibility | High | Low |
| Luggage | Unlimited | Restricted |
Costs are rough estimates based on US averages. Flight prices vary by airline, date, and booking time.
Decided to drive? See the full trip plan from Ukiah, CA to Fontana, CA with stops, fuel costs, and turn-by-turn directions.