Origin
Big Bear City, CA
Evening in Big Bear City on Thursday
Local time
6:28 PM
PDT
Current temp
30°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Big Bear City, CA to Fontana, CA
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
1h 28m
Distance
53.9 mi
87 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 22m
★
6 AM
1h 29m
8 AM
1h 43m
10 AM
1h 34m
12 PM
1h 32m
3 PM
1h 34m
5 PM
1h 42m
8 PM
1h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Big Bear City, CA
I.E Mike
Fontana, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 53.9 miles, the drive from Big Bear City to Fontana is a straightforward trip that typically takes about 1 hour and 28 minutes. Since this route is well within a single day’s travel, you can easily complete it in one day without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via Big Bear Boulevard, the Big Bear Bridge, and the Rim of the World Highway. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $12, it is a cost-effective journey connecting two Pacific Coast locations. The route functions perfectly as a quick transition from mountain surroundings to the valley floor, offering a practical way to reach your destination without complex logistics.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 28m. Total distance: 53.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (25%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route consists of 0% highway driving, meaning you will be navigating local roads for the entire 53.9-mile distance. You will experience a winding, technical path that contrasts sharply with fast-paced freeway travel. Because the road profile is consistently technical, the driving experience remains engaging throughout the duration of the trip. The transition from the higher elevation of Big Bear City toward Fontana requires you to stay alert as you maneuver through the continuous curves of the local highways.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Steve Faris Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 14.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CA 38 / East Big Bear Boulevard.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 28m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CA 38 / East Big Bear Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 36.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.1 miles (CA 210 / Foothill Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CA 38 / East Big Bear Boulevard
Depart onto CA 38 / East Big Bear Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
36.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CA 210 West: Pasadena
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward CA 210 West: Pasadena
5
37.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m in
|
CA 210 / Foothill Freeway
Merge onto CA 210 / Foothill Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
50.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m in
Take the exit toward Sierra Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 67
Toward Sierra Avenue
6
53.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m in
|
Merrill Avenue
Turn left onto Merrill Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Steve Faris Memorial Highway | 14.8 mi | 25m |
| Foothill Freeway | 13.3 mi | 15m |
| Rim of the World Highway | 10.2 mi | 18m |
| East Big Bear Boulevard | 5.3 mi | 10m |
| Big Bear Boulevard | 3.9 mi | 7m |
| Sierra Avenue | 3.2 mi | 5m |
| Hilltop Boulevard | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| Big Bear Bridge | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Steve Faris Memorial Highway
— 14.8 mi, about 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Big Bear City, CA and Fontana, CA.
1
Start on CA 38
5.3 mi
·
10 min
·
East Big Bear Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Continue on CA 18
3.9 mi
·
7 min
·
Big Bear Boulevard
Use the right lane.
3
Continue on CA 18
501 ft
·
9 sec
·
Big Bear Bridge
4
Continue on CA 18
10 mi
·
18 min
·
Rim of the World Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on CA 18
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Hilltop Boulevard
6
Continue on CA 330
15 mi
·
25 min
·
Steve Faris Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
39 sec
Toward CA 210 West: Pasadena
Use the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto CA 210
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 67
Toward Sierra Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn left onto Sierra Avenue
3.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Sierra Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
11
Turn left onto Merrill Avenue
205 ft
·
4 sec
·
Merrill Avenue
Use the left lane.
12
Arrive at destination
Merrill Avenue
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 27 mi from Big Bear City, CA · 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
27 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 27 miles from Big Bear City, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Fontana, CA
The final approach into Fontana, CA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.39 one way
$24.78 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
19 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $12.77 | $25.53 |
| premium | $6.18 | $13.11 | $26.22 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.90 | $23.80 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$12
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.2 | 0 | $5.66 | $2.59 |
| Efficient EV | 13.5 | 0 | $4.72 | $2.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.6 | 0 | $7.55 | $3.45 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Fontana, CA
Evening in Fontana on Thursday
Local time
6:28 PM
PDT
Current temp
74°F
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
SW 0 to 15 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 7:07AM PDT until April 16 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 7:07AM PDT until April 17 at 3:00AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
44 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 28m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Big Bear City, CA to Fontana, CA covers 53.9 miles and takes about 1h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Steve Faris Memorial Highway, Foothill Freeway, Rim of the World Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 27 miles from Big Bear City, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.39 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a straightforward 1h 28m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CA 38 / East Big Bear Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 36.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.1 miles (CA 210 / Foothill Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Big Bear City, CA to Fontana, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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