The drive from Folsom, CA to Fontana, CA covers 441.5 miles and takes about 8h 19m behind the wheel.
It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on Westside Freeway, Foothill Freeway, I 5 Truck for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 250.2 miles on Westside Freeway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $101.48 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
220.7 miles from Folsom, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 10m into the drive
.
Folsom is a city of 82,000 people (2019) in Sacramento County in California. Folsom is home to Folsom Lake College, Folsom Dam, Folsom Prison and a historic district. Folsom is also home to the largest private employer in the Sacramento area, Intel.
Top landmarks
•Folsom Depot — train station in Folsom, California
•Murer House and Gardens — house in Folsom, California, United States
This is a 8h 19m highway drive covering 441.5 miles, with most of the trip on Westside Freeway and Foothill Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 250.2 miles on Westside Freeway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 36 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Westside Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 250.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and Foothill Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.3 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 32 significant decision points across 441.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 12.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 miles (Bradshaw Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 370.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 32 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
12.3 mi into trip|~16m in
Take the exit toward Bradshaw Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 13
Toward Bradshaw Road
6
12.5 mi into trip|~17m in|Bradshaw Road
Turn left onto Bradshaw Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
370.9 mi into trip|~6h 56m in
Take the exit toward I 210 East: Pasadena
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 161A
Toward I 210 East: Pasadena
8
395.6 mi into trip|~7h 24m in|I 210 / Foothill Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210 / Foothill Freeway toward CA 134 West, I 210 East: San Bernardino, Ventura
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward CA 134 West, I 210 East: San Bernardino,...
7
438.1 mi into trip|~8h 13m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Folsom, CA to Fontana, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Ventura along the way.
Ventura
395.6 mi in|~7h 24m|via I 210
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
250.2 mi
4h 28m
Foothill Freeway
67 mi
1h 17m
I 5 Truck
58.4 mi
1h 6m
South Sacramento Freeway
29.7 mi
34m
Bradshaw Road
11.6 mi
16m
El Dorado Freeway
8.6 mi
9m
Sierra Avenue
3 mi
4m
Folsom Boulevard
2.6 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 250.2 mi, about 4h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Folsom, CA and Fontana, CA.
1
Start on Sutter Street
0.1 mi·25 sec·Sutter Street
2
Turn right onto Wool Street
366 ft·18 sec·Wool Street
3
Turn left onto Leidesdorff Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·Leidesdorff Street
4
Turn left
0.2 mi·31 sec
5
Turn straight onto Folsom Boulevard
2.6 mi·4 min·Folsom Boulevard
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 50 West: SacramentoUse the right lane.
7
Merge onto US 50
8.6 mi·9 min·El Dorado Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 13Toward Bradshaw RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn left onto Bradshaw Road
9.0 mi·12 min·Bradshaw Road
Use the left lane.
10
Enter roundabout onto Bradshaw Road
81 ft·1 sec·Bradshaw Road
11
Continue on Bradshaw Road
2.6 mi·3 min·Bradshaw Road
Use the left / uturn lanes.
12
Turn right onto E2
2.2 mi·3 min·Grant Line Road
Use the right lane.
13
Continue on E2
0.1 mi·10 sec·Kammerer Road
14
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
15
Merge onto CA 99
30 mi·34 min·South Sacramento Freeway
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward CA 4
17
Merge onto CA 4
2.4 mi·2 min·Crosstown Freeway
18
Take the exit onto CA 4
0.4 mi·50 sec·CA 4
Toward I 5: Sacramento
19
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 4
0.7 mi·1 min·CA 4
Toward I 5 South
20
Merge onto I 5; CA 4
13 mi·14 min·Westside Freeway
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi·48 sec·Westside Freeway
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
237 mi·4 hr 13 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
2.0 mi·2 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·17 sec
Exit 161AToward I 210 East: PasadenaUse the slight right lane.
26
Continue on I 210
24 mi·28 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
19 mi·22 min·Foothill Freeway
Toward CA 134 West, I 210 East: San Bernardino, VenturaUse the slight right lane.
28
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
2.9 mi·3 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.4 mi·1 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.2 mi·1 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.8 mi·2 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
16 mi·18 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Exit 67Toward Sierra AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Turn right onto Sierra Avenue
3.0 mi·4 min·Sierra Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
35
Turn left onto Merrill Avenue
205 ft·4 sec·Merrill Avenue
Use the left lane.
36
Arrive at destination
Merrill Avenue
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 220.7 miles from Folsom, CA, or about 4h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 250.2 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 97 miles or 1h 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 220.7 miles or 4h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 220.7 miles or 4h 10m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 8m
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 Folsom, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Folsom, CA
Aim for roughly 221 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Fontana, CA
Aim for roughly 221 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 97 miles from Folsom, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 250.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 220.7 mi from Folsom, CA
· 4h 10m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultura...
23 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 365.4
Yes, we can! Widely recognized as the most important Latino leader in the United States during the twentieth century, Cesar Chavez led farm workers and supporters in the establishment of the country's...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
Free
near mile 304.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$101.48 one way
$202.95 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg155 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$104.57
$209.14
premium
$6.18
$107.37
$214.74
diesel
$5.61
$97.48
$194.96
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$101
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$231–$341
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 154.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $46 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
132.5
1
$46.36
$21.19
Efficient EV
110.4
1
$38.63
$17.66
EV Truck/SUV
176.6
2
$61.81
$28.26
Gas CO2
154 kg
EV CO2
52 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 17, 2026
Origin
Folsom, CA
Morning
in Folsom on Saturday
Local time
7:57 AM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fontana, CA
Morning
in Fontana on Saturday
Local time
7:57 AM
PDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Clear
W 0 to 30 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 8:09PM PDT until April 17 at 3:00AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 8:09PM PDT until April 17 at 3:00AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
6 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
8h 19m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Folsom, CA to Fontana, CA covers 441.5 miles and takes about 8h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, Foothill Freeway, I 5 Truck. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 221 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 220.7 miles from Folsom, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $101.48 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 32 significant decision points across 441.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 12.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 miles (Bradshaw Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 370.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Folsom, CA to Fontana, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Ventura along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and César E. Chávez National Monument.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
