Origin
Fontana, CA
Evening in Fontana on Tuesday
Local time
6:24 PM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fontana, CA to Palmdale, CA
Data updated 1 hour ago
Drive Time
1h 26m
Distance
63.1 mi
101 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 20m
★
6 AM
1h 27m
8 AM
1h 40m
10 AM
1h 31m
12 PM
1h 30m
3 PM
1h 32m
5 PM
1h 39m
8 PM
1h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fontana, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Palmdale, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 63.1-mile drive from Fontana, CA to Palmdale, CA is a manageable day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 26 minutes. Primarily following CA 138 and the Barstow and Mojave Freeway, with a portion on Sierra Avenue, this route offers a highway-focused experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $15, it's an economical option for a quick journey. You'll be traveling within the Pacific Coast region for both your origin and destination, making it a straightforward local excursion. This drive is well-suited for a single day, allowing for flexibility in 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
31.5 miles from Fontana, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 42m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect an 80% highway experience on this route, with a significant uninterrupted stretch of 39.9 miles along CA 138. The drive is largely highway-focused, meaning you'll encounter higher speeds for extended periods. You'll transition onto the Barstow and Mojave Freeway, a common artery for longer distances, before reaching your destination. This road character suggests a steady pace with minimal need for frequent slowdowns or complex navigation.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
CA 138 is the longest continuous segment at about 39.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CA 138 and Barstow and Mojave Freeway. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Sierra Avenue.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Fontana, CA to Palmdale, CA is easy. At 1h 26m with 80% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Sierra Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 6.4 miles (I 15 / Ontario Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 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 left / straight lanes.
4
6.2 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Take the ramp toward I 15 North
Navigation decision point
Toward I 15 North
5
6.4 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
I 15 / Ontario Freeway
Merge onto I 15 / Ontario Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
17 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Take the exit toward CA 138: Palmdale, Silverwood Lake
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 131
Toward CA 138: Palmdale, Silverwood Lake
4
58.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m in
|
CA 138 / East Palmdale Boulevard
Enter roundabout onto CA 138 / East Palmdale Boulevard
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Fontana, CA to Palmdale, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Silverwood Lake along the way.
Silverwood Lake
17 mi in
|
~21m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CA 138 | 39.9 mi | 55m |
| Barstow and Mojave Freeway | 6.8 mi | 7m |
| Sierra Avenue | 6.1 mi | 9m |
| East Palmdale Boulevard | 4.1 mi | 5m |
| Ontario Freeway | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| 47th Street East | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Merrill Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
CA 138
— 39.9 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fontana, CA and Palmdale, CA.
1
Start on Merrill Avenue
205 ft
·
6 sec
·
Merrill Avenue
2
Turn right onto Sierra Avenue
6.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Sierra Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 15 North
4
Merge onto I 15
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Ontario Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 15
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Barstow and Mojave Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 131
Toward CA 138: Palmdale, Silverwood Lake
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Turn left onto CA 138
40 mi
·
55 min
·
CA 138
8
Continue on CA 138
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
47th Street East
9
Enter roundabout onto CA 138
287 ft
·
10 sec
·
East Palmdale Boulevard
10
Continue on CA 138
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
East Palmdale Boulevard
11
Continue on CA 138
75 ft
·
7 sec
·
East Palmdale Boulevard
Use the left lane.
12
Arrive at destination
CA 138
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 26 minutes, you have the flexibility to leave whenever it suits you. Aiming for an early start can help you avoid any potential local traffic, especially on Sierra Avenue. Since this is a shorter drive with no designated stops in the data, you can decide on breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the longest stretch without a clear break is nearly 40 miles on CA 138, and plan your refueling accordingly before embarking.
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 31.5 miles from Fontana, CA, or about 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 39.9 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 63.1 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 31.5 miles or 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Palmdale, 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 63.1 miles and 1h 26m.
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 CA 138 for about 39.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 31.5 mi from Fontana, CA · 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
32 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 63.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 31.5 miles from Fontana, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Palmdale, CA
The final approach into Palmdale, 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 Palmdale, 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
$14.50 one way
$29.01 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
22 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $14.95 | $29.89 |
| premium | $6.18 | $15.35 | $30.69 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.93 | $27.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.9 | 0 | $6.63 | $3.03 |
| Efficient EV | 15.8 | 0 | $5.52 | $2.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 25.2 | 0 | $8.83 | $4.04 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (68% 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
Palmdale, CA
Evening in Palmdale on Tuesday
Local time
6:24 PM
PDT
Current temp
46°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
8 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
1h 26m 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 Palmdale, CA covers 63.1 miles and takes about 1h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are CA 138, Barstow and Mojave Freeway, Sierra Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 31.5 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 $14.50 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 Palmdale, CA is easy. At 1h 26m with 80% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Sierra Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 6.4 miles (I 15 / Ontario Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Fontana, CA to Palmdale, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Silverwood Lake along the way.
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