Origin
Fontana, CA
Late night in Fontana on Wednesday
Local time
5:13 AM
PDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fontana, CA to Imperial, CA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
3h 7m
Distance
162.1 mi
261 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 56m
★
6 AM
3h 7m
8 AM
3h 30m
10 AM
3h 15m
12 PM
3h 13m
3 PM
3h 17m
5 PM
3h 29m
8 PM
3h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fontana, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Imperial, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Fontana, CA to Imperial, CA covers 162.1 miles and takes about 3h 7m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on CA 86, Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 78.4 miles on CA 86. At current regular gas prices, budget about $37.26 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
81.1 miles from Fontana, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 3h 7m highway drive covering 162.1 miles, with most of the trip on CA 86 and Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 78.4 miles on CA 86.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
CA 86 is the longest continuous segment at about 78.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CA 86 and Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Sierra Avenue.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 162.1 miles you will encounter 12 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 1.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.1 miles (I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 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.
5
1.7 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 10 East: San Bernardino
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 10 East: San Bernardino
5
2.1 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway
Merge onto I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
49.6 mi into trip
|
~56m in
|
I 10 / Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
82.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
|
CA 86
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 86 toward CA 86 South: CA 86 South, Brawley, El Centro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward CA 86 South: CA 86 South, Brawley, El Ce...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fontana, CA and Imperial, CA, road signs point toward Redlands, Palm Springs, Brawley and El Centro.
Redlands
9.3 mi in
|
~12m
|
via I 10
Palm Springs
9.3 mi in
|
~12m
|
via I 10
Brawley
82.1 mi in
|
~1h 31m
|
via CA 86
El Centro
82.1 mi in
|
~1h 31m
|
via CA 86
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CA 86 | 78.4 mi | 1h 32m |
| Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway | 40.3 mi | 44m |
| Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway | 32.5 mi | 34m |
| San Bernardino Freeway | 7.2 mi | 8m |
| Sierra Avenue | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| South Brawley Avenue | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| South 1st Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Merrill Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
CA 86
— 78.4 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fontana, CA and Imperial, CA.
1
Start on Merrill Avenue
205 ft
·
9 sec
·
Merrill Avenue
2
Turn left onto Sierra Avenue
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Sierra Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward I 10 East: San Bernardino
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto I 10
7.2 mi
·
8 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 10
40 mi
·
44 min
·
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Toward Redlands, Palm Springs
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
32 mi
·
34 min
·
Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 86
70 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
CA 86
Toward CA 86 South: CA 86 South, Brawley, El Centro
Use the straight lane.
8
Turn right onto CA 86
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
·
South 1st Street
9
Continue on CA 86
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
South Brawley Avenue
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn left
326 ft
·
18 sec
11
Turn right
0.1 mi
·
46 sec
12
At end of road, turn right
471 ft
·
23 sec
13
Turn left onto CA 86
8.4 mi
·
10 min
·
CA 86
14
Turn right onto S28
103 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Barioni Boulevard
15
Arrive at destination
S28
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 81.1 miles from Fontana, CA, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.4 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 80 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.1 miles or 1h 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 2h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Imperial, 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 162.1 miles and 3h 7m.
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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on CA 86 for about 78.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 81.1 mi from Fontana, CA · 1h 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
81 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 81.1 miles from Fontana, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before CA 86 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.4 miles.
Arriving in Imperial, CA
The final approach into Imperial, 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 Imperial, 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
$37.26 one way
$74.51 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
57 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $38.39 | $76.79 |
| premium | $6.18 | $39.42 | $78.84 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.79 | $71.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.6 | 0 | $17.02 | $7.78 |
| Efficient EV | 40.5 | 0 | $14.18 | $6.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.8 | 0 | $22.69 | $10.37 |
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Imperial, CA
Late night in Imperial on Wednesday
Local time
5:13 AM
PDT
Current temp
87°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
11 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
3h 7m 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 Imperial, CA covers 162.1 miles and takes about 3h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are CA 86, Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 81.1 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 $37.26 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 162.1 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Sierra Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.1 miles (I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Fontana, CA and Imperial, CA, road signs point toward Redlands, Palm Springs, Brawley and El Centro.
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