Origin
Fontana, CA
Morning in Fontana on Sunday
Local time
11:36 AM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fontana, CA to Anderson, CA
Drive Time
10h 35m
Distance
577.9 mi
930 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$134
one way
Photo: Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Spanning 577.9 miles from Fontana to Anderson, this journey across California takes approximately 10 hours and 35 minutes of pure drive time. Because of the length, it is best approached as a two-day trip rather than a single grueling day behind the wheel. You will rely heavily on major arteries like the Westside Freeway, the Foothill Freeway, and I-5 Truck routes to navigate the state. Expect to budget around $134 for fuel, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. While both cities sit within the Pacific Coast region, the route covers a significant vertical slice of California, requiring steady focus and planning to manage the distance comfortably.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
289 miles from Fontana, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 21m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient, high-speed experience, as 96% of this trip is comprised of highway driving. The personality of this route is defined by the Westside Freeway, which accounts for a massive 425.9-mile stretch of the journey. You should prepare for a consistent, interstate-focused grind rather than technical backroads or winding mountain passes. This is a pragmatic trek designed for covering ground quickly, with the road character remaining largely uniform throughout the duration. Behind the wheel, you will find a steady pace that demands alertness during the long, uninterrupted segments of the freeway system.
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.
Westside Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 425.9 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 early in the drive near Sierra Avenue.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 577.9 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: near the start (Sierra Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 18.2 miles (CA 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.4 miles (CA 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Sierra Avenue
Turn right onto Sierra Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
18.2 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
CA 210 / Foothill Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210 / Foothill Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
19.4 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
CA 210 / Foothill Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210 / Foothill Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
45 mi into trip
|
~53m in
|
I 210 / Foothill Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210 / Foothill Freeway toward I 210 West: Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 26A
Toward I 210 West: Sacramento
7
130.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 31m in
|
I 5 / Westside Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 / Westside Freeway toward I 5 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 5 North
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 425.9 mi | 7h 39m |
| Foothill Freeway | 67.2 mi | 1h 17m |
| I 5 Truck | 37.1 mi | 42m |
| Golden State Freeway | 22.3 mi | 25m |
| Cascade Wonderland Highway | 20 mi | 21m |
| Sierra Avenue | 3 mi | 4m |
| CA 273 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Merrill Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 425.9 mi, about 7h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fontana, CA and Anderson, CA.
1
Start on Merrill Avenue
205 ft
·
6 sec
·
Merrill Avenue
2
Turn right onto Sierra Avenue
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Sierra Avenue
Use the none lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward CA 210 West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Merge onto CA 210
15 mi
·
17 min
·
Foothill Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Foothill Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Foothill Freeway
Use the none lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Foothill Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
20 mi
·
23 min
·
Foothill Freeway
Use the none lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
26 mi
·
29 min
·
Foothill Freeway
Exit 26A
Toward I 210 West: Sacramento
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 5 Truck
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
I 5 Truck
Exit 161A
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
36 mi
·
41 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
22 mi
·
25 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
226 mi
·
4 hr 1 min
·
Westside Freeway
Toward I 5 North
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
26 mi
·
27 min
·
Westside Freeway
17
Keep left at fork onto I 5
54 mi
·
59 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
121 mi
·
2 hr 10 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 5
20 mi
·
21 min
·
Cascade Wonderland Highway
20
Take the exit onto CA 273; US 99 Hist
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
CA 273; US 99 Hist
Exit 667A
Toward Anderson, Deschutes Road, Factory Outlet Drive
21
Arrive at destination
CA 273; US 99 Hist
Trip Plan
To keep your fatigue in check, plan for at least three dedicated stops to break up the 10-hour-plus travel time. Since the longest stretch covers 425.9 miles, prioritize refueling before entering this primary segment to avoid unnecessary delays on the Westside Freeway. Leaving Fontana early in the morning is your best bet to bypass potential traffic congestion and ensure you reach your overnight destination before dark. If you choose to split the drive over two days, look for lodging options near the halfway point to balance your mileage evenly. Always double-check your tire pressure and fluid levels before departing, as the consistent highway speeds will put your vehicle through a sustained workout.
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 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 289 miles from Fontana, CA, or about 5h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 425.9 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 127 miles or 2h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 289 miles or 5h 21m 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 289 miles or 5h 21m
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 9h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Anderson, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fontana, 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 Fontana, CA
Aim for roughly 289 miles and 5.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Anderson, CA
Aim for roughly 289 miles and 5.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 127 miles from Fontana, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 425.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 289 mi from Fontana, CA · 5h 21m into the drive
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
191 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
381 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Stockton, CAOvernight Options
Night 1
289 mi · about 5.3h in
A practical overnight split lands near Fresno, CA after about 289 miles or 5.3 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 127 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 289 miles from Fontana, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 425.9 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 289 miles or 5.3 hours on the road.
Arriving in Anderson, CA
The final approach into Anderson, 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 Anderson, CA.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Anderson, CA with some flexibility left in the schedule.
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
$133.83 one way
$267.65 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
202 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $138.01 | $276.03 |
| premium | $6.24 | $142.04 | $284.08 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $128.39 | $256.78 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$134
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$264–$374
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 202.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $61 in charging · 2 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 173.4 | 2 | $60.68 | $27.74 |
| Efficient EV | 144.5 | 1 | $50.57 | $23.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 231.2 | 2 | $80.91 | $36.99 |
Gas CO2
202 kg
EV CO2
68 kg (66% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Anderson, CA
Morning in Anderson on Sunday
Local time
11:36 AM
PDT
Current temp
49°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.
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
5 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
10h 35m 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 Fontana, CA to Anderson, CA covers 577.9 miles and takes about 10h 35m 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. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
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 289 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 289 miles from Fontana, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $133.83 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 3 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 18 significant decision points across 577.9 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: near the start (Sierra Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 18.2 miles (CA 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.4 miles (CA 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Fontana, CA to Anderson, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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