Origin
Fontana, CA
Afternoon in Fontana on Sunday
Local time
2:49 PM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fontana, CA to Glendale, CA
Drive Time
1h 4m
Distance
52 mi
84 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
0h 59m
★
6 AM
1h 4m
8 AM
1h 15m
10 AM
1h 8m
12 PM
1h 7m
3 PM
1h 9m
5 PM
1h 14m
8 PM
1h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Glendale, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Traveling from Fontana to Glendale covers 52 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 4 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination with minimal time behind the wheel. You will primarily navigate via Sierra Avenue, CA 210 West, and the Foothill Freeway as you traverse the Pacific Coast region. With a fuel budget of approximately $7, this transit is quite economical for your travel planning. Because the entire journey stays within the same region, you can expect a familiar coastal climate throughout the drive. It is a straightforward commute that avoids the need for overnight stops, making it an efficient choice for your schedule.
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 miles from Fontana, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 32m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you navigate through the area. Unlike a monotonous interstate grind, this route keeps you engaged with its technical nature, especially during the initial segments. You will spend your time on local roads and the Foothill Freeway, as the highway share for this trip is 0%. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is 0 miles on Sierra Avenue, indicating that you should be prepared for frequent turns and directional changes. Transitioning between these local roads and the freeway creates a varied experience that requires you to stay alert at every intersection.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Sierra Avenue is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Fontana, CA to Glendale, CA is easy. At 1h 4m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Fontana, CA to Glendale, CA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Sierra Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| CA 210 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Foothill Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Ventura Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Harvey Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Broadway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Glendale Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Colorado Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Sierra Avenue
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fontana, CA and Glendale, CA.
1
Start on Merrill Avenue
207 ft
·
6 sec
·
Merrill Avenue
2
Turn right onto Sierra Avenue
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Sierra Avenue
3
Take the ramp slight right toward CA 210 West
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
CA 210 West
4
Merge slight left onto Foothill Freeway
15 mi
·
17 min
·
Foothill Freeway
5
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Foothill Freeway
6
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Foothill Freeway
7
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Foothill Freeway
8
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Foothill Freeway
9
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
20 mi
·
23 min
·
Foothill Freeway
10
Keep slight left to continue on Ventura Freeway
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Ventura Freeway
11
Take the exit slight right toward Harvey Drive
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Harvey Drive
12
Turn left onto Harvey Drive
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Harvey Drive
13
Turn straight onto East Broadway
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Broadway
14
Turn left onto South Glendale Avenue
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
South Glendale Avenue
15
Turn right onto East Colorado Street
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
East Colorado Street
16
Turn left onto South Brand Boulevard
79 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Brand Boulevard
17
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short 52-mile trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever your schedule allows. While there are no scheduled stops required for this 1 hour and 4-minute journey, keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the route may make it feel longer than the clock suggests. Make sure to account for the $7 fuel cost before you head out to ensure a smooth arrival in Glendale. Given the local road focus, try to plan your departure during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on the Foothill Freeway. Use the lack of mandatory stops to your advantage by keeping your gear organized in the vehicle for easy access upon arrival.
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 miles from Fontana, CA, or about 32m into the drive.
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 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 26 miles or 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Glendale, 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 miles and 1h 4m.
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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 26 mi from Fontana, CA · 32m 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 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 26 miles from Fontana, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Glendale, CA
The final approach into Glendale, 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 Glendale, 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
$12.04 one way
$24.08 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $12.42 | $24.84 |
| premium | $6.24 | $12.78 | $25.56 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $11.55 | $23.11 |
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: 18.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.6 | 0 | $5.46 | $2.50 |
| Efficient EV | 13 | 0 | $4.55 | $2.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.8 | 0 | $7.28 | $3.33 |
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
Glendale, CA
Afternoon in Glendale on Sunday
Local time
2:49 PM
PDT
Current temp
76°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
22 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 4m 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 Glendale, CA covers 52 miles and takes about 1h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Sierra Avenue, CA 210 West, Foothill Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 26 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 $12.04 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.
The drive from Fontana, CA to Glendale, CA is easy. At 1h 4m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Fontana, CA to Glendale, CA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Fontana, CA to Glendale, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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