Origin
Blythe, CA
Afternoon in Blythe on Sunday
Local time
12:32 PM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Blythe, CA to Fontana, CA
Drive Time
3h 14m
Distance
176.8 mi
284 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
Blythe, CA
Dominik Gryzbon
Trip Overview
Spanning 176.8 miles across the Pacific Coast region, this trip from Blythe to Fontana is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 14 minutes. It functions perfectly as a one-day drive, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $41 for fuel to cover the distance. You will primarily navigate via the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, the Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway, and the San Bernardino Freeway. Since the route remains entirely within California, the transition between these two points is consistent and manageable for most drivers.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
88.4 miles from Blythe, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a trip defined by a distinct mix of fast highway cruising and turn-heavy local segments. While you spend 23% of the journey on major highways, you will encounter a significant 132.5-mile stretch along the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway that demands steady focus. As you transition from the open desert stretches into the more built-up areas toward Fontana, the character of the road shifts from high-speed transit to a more technical, turn-heavy local drive. Keep your eyes on the road, as the driving conditions require constant attention throughout the duration of the trip.
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.
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 132.5 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 around 0.1 miles in near I 10 Business / East Hobsonway.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 14m 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: at 0.1 miles (I 10 Business / East Hobsonway): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 174.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
3
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
I 10 Business / East Hobsonway
Continue onto I 10 Business / East Hobsonway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
4
0.8 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
7
174.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 10m 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 64
Toward Sierra Avenue
4
175 mi into trip
|
~3h 11m in
|
Sierra Avenue
Turn right onto Sierra Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / none lanes.
6
176.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 14m in
|
Merrill Avenue
Turn right onto Merrill Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway | 132.5 mi | 2h 23m |
| Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway | 33.7 mi | 36m |
| San Bernardino Freeway | 7.5 mi | 8m |
| Sierra Avenue | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| East Hobsonway | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| South Lovekin Boulevard | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Merrill Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
— 132.5 mi, about 2h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Blythe, CA and Fontana, CA.
1
Start on I 10 Business
273 ft
·
13 sec
·
East Hobsonway
2
Continue on I 10 Business
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Hobsonway
Use the none lane.
3
Turn left onto South Lovekin Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
South Lovekin Boulevard
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
5
Merge onto I 10
93 mi
·
1 hr 39 min
·
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
6
Continue on I 10
34 mi
·
36 min
·
Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 10
40 mi
·
43 min
·
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 10
7.5 mi
·
8 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 64
Toward Sierra Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn right onto Sierra Avenue
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Sierra Avenue
Use the left / none lanes.
11
Turn right onto Merrill Avenue
205 ft
·
4 sec
·
Merrill Avenue
Use the none lane.
12
Arrive at destination
Merrill Avenue
Trip Plan
Because this drive is easily completed in a single day, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. With only one recommended stop planned, try to time your break to break up the longest 132.5-mile stretch of the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway. Before heading out from Blythe, ensure your fuel tank is ready for the $41 estimated cost to reach Fontana. Pay close attention to the shift in road complexity as you move from the freeway portions onto the more local, turn-heavy sections near your destination. Planning for a single, well-timed stop will help you stay fresh and alert behind the wheel.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 88.4 miles from Blythe, CA, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 132.5 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.4 miles or 1h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fontana, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Blythe, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Blythe, CA
This is one driving day of about 176.8 miles and 3h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Blythe, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway for about 132.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 88.4 mi from Blythe, CA · 1h 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
88 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 88.4 miles from Blythe, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 132.5 miles.
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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Fontana, CA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.94 one way
$81.88 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
62 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $42.22 | $84.45 |
| premium | $6.24 | $43.46 | $86.91 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $39.28 | $78.56 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53 | 0 | $18.56 | $8.49 |
| Efficient EV | 44.2 | 0 | $15.47 | $7.07 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 70.7 | 0 | $24.75 | $11.32 |
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (66% 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
Afternoon in Fontana on Sunday
Local time
12:32 PM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 14m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Blythe, CA to Fontana, CA covers 176.8 miles and takes about 3h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway, San Bernardino Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 88.4 miles from Blythe, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $40.94 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 14m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (I 10 Business / East Hobsonway): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 174.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Blythe, CA to Fontana, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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