This 99.5-mile drive from Camarillo, CA to Fontana, CA is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in under two hours. With a projected fuel cost of around $23, it's an economical option for a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stays. You'll primarily be on the Ventura Freeway and the Foothill Freeway, with a brief stint on Sierra Avenue towards the end. This route stays within the Pacific Coast region, making for a consistent drive without drastic environmental changes. It's a practical choice for getting between these two Southern California locations efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.8 miles from Camarillo, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 58m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 57m. Total distance: 99.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a heavily highway-oriented experience on this trip, with 96% of the drive taking place on freeways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a solid 54.3 miles on the Ventura Freeway, offering extended periods of consistent speed. While largely a freeway cruise, the transition to Sierra Avenue near the end introduces a slight change in pace. The overall character is one of efficient travel, prioritizing getting you from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Ventura Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 54.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Ventura Freeway and Foothill Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 99.5 miles you will encounter 19 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 40.3 miles (CA 134 / Ventura Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 41.2 miles (CA 134 / Ventura Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in
Turn left toward US 101 South: Los Angeles
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Toward US 101 South: Los Angeles
7
40.3 mi into trip|~47m in|CA 134 / Ventura Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 134 / Ventura Freeway toward CA 134 East: Pasadena
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward CA 134 East: Pasadena
6
41.2 mi into trip|~48m in|CA 134 / Ventura Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134 / Ventura Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
42.6 mi into trip|~50m in|CA 134 / Ventura Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134 / Ventura Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
96.2 mi into trip|~1h 51m 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
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ventura Freeway
54.3 mi
1h 2m
Foothill Freeway
41.4 mi
47m
Sierra Avenue
3 mi
4m
East Ventura Boulevard
0.3 mi
1m
Merrill Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Ventura Freeway
— 54.3 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Camarillo, CA and Fontana, CA.
1
Start on East Ventura Boulevard
463 ft·23 sec·East Ventura Boulevard
2
Continue on East Ventura Boulevard
0.2 mi·41 sec·East Ventura Boulevard
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward US 101 South: Los Angeles
4
Merge onto US 101
40 mi·45 min·Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 134
0.9 mi·1 min·Ventura Freeway
Toward CA 134 East: PasadenaUse the slight left lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
1.4 mi·1 min·Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
1.0 mi·1 min·Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
1.0 mi·1 min·Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
2.2 mi·2 min·Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
0.7 mi·51 sec·Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
7.2 mi·8 min·Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 210
18 mi·20 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the slight left lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
2.9 mi·3 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.4 mi·1 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.2 mi·1 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.8 mi·2 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
16 mi·18 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Exit 67Toward Sierra AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right onto Sierra Avenue
3.0 mi·4 min·Sierra Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
20
Turn left onto Merrill Avenue
205 ft·4 sec·Merrill Avenue
Use the left lane.
21
Arrive at destination
Merrill Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 57-minute duration and 99.5-mile distance, this trip is perfect for a spontaneous day drive. Consider departing mid-morning to avoid the worst of rush hour traffic in the Los Angeles area. With no specific stops recommended, you can decide on breaks as needed, though the longest stretch without a significant road change is over 50 miles, so plan accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $23, and it's always wise to start with a full tank for a drive of this nature.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 49.8 miles from Camarillo, CA, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.3 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 22 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.8 miles or 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 34m
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 Camarillo, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Camarillo, CA
This is one driving day of about 99.5 miles and 1h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Camarillo, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Ventura Freeway for about 54.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 49.8 mi from Camarillo, CA
· 58m into the drive
The midpoint is around 49.8 miles from Camarillo, 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
$22.87 one way
$45.74 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg35 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$23.57
$47.13
premium
$6.18
$24.20
$48.39
diesel
$5.61
$21.97
$43.94
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29.8
0
$10.45
$4.78
Efficient EV
24.9
0
$8.71
$3.98
EV Truck/SUV
39.8
0
$13.93
$6.37
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Camarillo, CA
Late night
in Camarillo on Friday
Local time
2:16 AM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Sunny
SW 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 9:35AM PDT until April 15 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Lake Wind Advisory
Lake Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 12:37AM PDT until April 15 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Reno NV
Destination
Fontana, CA
Late night
in Fontana on Friday
Local time
2:16 AM
PDT
Current temp
72°F
Sunny
SW 5 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 9:35AM PDT until April 15 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Lake Wind Advisory
Lake Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 12:37AM PDT until April 15 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Reno NV
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
4 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 57m 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 Camarillo, CA to Fontana, CA covers 99.5 miles and takes about 1h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Ventura Freeway, Foothill Freeway, Sierra Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 49.8 miles from Camarillo, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.87 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 99.5 miles you will encounter 19 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 40.3 miles (CA 134 / Ventura Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 41.2 miles (CA 134 / Ventura Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Camarillo, CA to Fontana, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
