Origin
Fontana, CA
Afternoon in Fontana on Sunday
Local time
1:32 PM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fontana, CA to Cudahy, CA
Drive Time
1h 5m
Distance
52.5 mi
85 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 0m
★
6 AM
1h 5m
8 AM
1h 15m
10 AM
1h 9m
12 PM
1h 8m
3 PM
1h 9m
5 PM
1h 15m
8 PM
1h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cudahy, CA
Efrem Efre
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Fontana to Cudahy, expect a straightforward 52.5-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 5 minutes. This trip is designed as a single-day excursion, as the distance is short enough to complete without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via the San Bernardino Freeway, the San Gabriel River Freeway, and the I-10 Metro ExpressLanes. Budgeting approximately $12 for fuel should cover the expenses for this Pacific Coast transit. Because both your starting point and destination are located within the same region, you can anticipate a consistent travel experience throughout the drive. This route is best viewed as a practical, efficient connection between these two California locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
26.3 miles from Fontana, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 30m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 52.5-mile trip is an intensely highway-focused drive, with 84% of your journey spent on high-speed thoroughfares. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the San Bernardino Freeway, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of the route at 23.5 miles. While it lacks the winding scenery of backroads, the route offers a steady, fast-paced experience typical of major metropolitan infrastructure. Expect a utilitarian drive where the focus is on maintaining speed and navigating freeway interchanges efficiently. It is a no-nonsense commute that prioritizes speed over leisure, keeping you firmly in the flow of heavy traffic for the duration of the hour-long trip.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
San Bernardino Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 23.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on San Bernardino Freeway and San Gabriel River 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
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 52.5 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: near the start (Sierra Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.8 miles (I 10 EXPR / I-10 Metro ExpressLanes): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 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 left onto Sierra Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
7.8 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
I 10 EXPR / I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 EXPR / I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
34.8 mi into trip
|
~40m in
Take the exit toward I 605: San Gabriel River Freeway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 31A
Toward I 605: San Gabriel River Freeway
7
35 mi into trip
|
~41m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 605 South: San Bernardino
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 605 South: San Bernardino
7
46.8 mi into trip
|
~55m in
Take the exit toward Firestone Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 10
Toward Firestone Boulevard
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| San Bernardino Freeway | 23.5 mi | 27m |
| San Gabriel River Freeway | 11.4 mi | 13m |
| I-10 Metro ExpressLanes | 9.3 mi | 9m |
| Firestone Boulevard | 5 mi | 8m |
| Sierra Avenue | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Atlantic Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Merrill Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
San Bernardino Freeway
— 23.5 mi, about 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fontana, CA and Cudahy, CA.
1
Start on Merrill Avenue
205 ft
·
9 sec
·
Merrill Avenue
2
Turn left onto Sierra Avenue
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Sierra Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 10 West: Los Angeles
Use the right lane.
4
Merge onto I 10
5.8 mi
·
6 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 EXPR
9.3 mi
·
9 min
·
I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 10
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 31A
Toward I 605: San Gabriel River Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Toward I 605 South: San Bernardino
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 605
11 mi
·
13 min
·
San Gabriel River Freeway
Use the none lane.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 10
Toward Firestone Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn right onto Firestone Boulevard
4.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Firestone Boulevard
Use the none lane.
23
Continue on Firestone Boulevard
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Firestone Boulevard
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
24
Turn right onto Atlantic Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Atlantic Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Arrive at destination
Atlantic Avenue
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short 1 hour and 5 minute drive, you have the advantage of total flexibility in your departure time. Since the trip involves no planned stops, it is wise to ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave to keep your $12 estimate accurate. Given the heavy reliance on the San Bernardino and San Gabriel River freeways, keep an eye on real-time traffic reports to avoid peak congestion. A practical tip for this specific route is to familiarize yourself with the I-10 Metro ExpressLanes requirements before you merge, as this will help you navigate the highway transitions more smoothly. Since there are zero official stops, pack any snacks or water you might need before departing Fontana.
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 26.3 miles from Fontana, CA, or about 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 23.5 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 52.5 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 26.3 miles or 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cudahy, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fontana, CA
This is one driving day of about 52.5 miles and 1h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fontana, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on San Bernardino Freeway for about 23.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 26.3 mi from Fontana, CA · 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
26 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 52.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 26.3 miles from Fontana, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Cudahy, CA
The final approach into Cudahy, 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 Cudahy, CA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.16 one way
$24.32 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $12.54 | $25.08 |
| premium | $6.24 | $12.90 | $25.81 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $11.66 | $23.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.8 | 0 | $5.51 | $2.52 |
| Efficient EV | 13.1 | 0 | $4.59 | $2.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21 | 0 | $7.35 | $3.36 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (67% 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
Cudahy, CA
Afternoon in Cudahy on Sunday
Local time
1:32 PM
PDT
Current temp
55°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
1 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 5m 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 Fontana, CA to Cudahy, CA covers 52.5 miles and takes about 1h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are San Bernardino Freeway, San Gabriel River Freeway, I-10 Metro ExpressLanes. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 26.3 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 $12.16 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 demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 52.5 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: near the start (Sierra Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.8 miles (I 10 EXPR / I-10 Metro ExpressLanes): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Fontana, CA to Cudahy, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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