Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 5m
Distance
52.4 mi
84 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fontana, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Cypress, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Spanning 52.4 miles across the Pacific Coast region, this drive from Fontana to Cypress is a straightforward trip that typically takes about 1 hour and 5 minutes. You will primarily navigate via Sierra Avenue, I-10 West, and the San Bernardino Freeway to reach your destination. Because the journey is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. Budgeting around $12 for fuel should cover the costs for this distance. Whether you are commuting or visiting, this route offers a functional connection between these two Southern California points without the complexities of long-haul travel.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 5m. Total distance: 52.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive as you transition from Fontana toward Cypress. Unlike a long-distance interstate haul, this route focuses on local navigation, featuring a zero percent highway share for the total trip. You will spend your time behind the wheel maneuvering through local traffic patterns rather than cruising long, uninterrupted stretches of highway. The experience is defined by constant adjustments and attention to local road conditions rather than high-speed travel. Prepare for a drive that requires your full focus as you navigate the turns that define this 52.4-mile path.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Orange Freeway and San Bernardino 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.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 52.4 miles you will encounter 22 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: 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 23.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto Sierra Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 EXPR / I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward CA 57 South: Santa Ana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 57 / Orange Freeway toward CA 57 South, CA 60 Alt West: Santa Ana, Brea Canyon Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Valley View Street, Orangethorpe Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Orange Freeway | 14.3 mi | 16m |
| San Bernardino Freeway | 11.8 mi | 13m |
| I-10 Metro ExpressLanes | 9.3 mi | 9m |
| Riverside Freeway | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| Artesia Freeway | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| Valley View Street | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| Sierra Avenue | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Pomona Freeway | 1.3 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Fontana, CA and Cypress, CA.
Start on Merrill Avenue
Turn left onto Sierra Avenue
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 EXPR
Merge onto I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto CA 57
Merge onto CA 60; CA 57
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 57
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 57
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 57
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 57
Take the exit
Merge onto CA 91
Continue on CA 91
Take the exit
Turn left onto Valley View Street
Turn right onto Ball Road
Continue on Ball Road
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 26.2 mi from Fontana, CA · 31m 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.
A short stop after about 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 26.2 miles from Fontana, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Cypress, 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.
Regular Gas
$12.04 one way
$24.09 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $12.41 | $24.82 |
| premium | $6.18 | $12.74 | $25.49 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.57 | $23.14 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$12
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.7 | 0 | $5.50 | $2.52 |
| Efficient EV | 13.1 | 0 | $4.59 | $2.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21 | 0 | $7.34 | $3.35 |
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Fontana on Thursday
Local time
3:22 PM
PDT
Current temp
74°F
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Destination
Afternoon in Cypress on Thursday
Local time
3:22 PM
PDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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