Origin
Fontana, CA
Evening in Fontana on Tuesday
Local time
8:46 PM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
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Drive Time
27m
Distance
21.9 mi
35 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fontana, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Pomona, CA
Wikimedia Commons
This short 21.9-mile drive from Fontana to Pomona, California, is easily manageable in about 27 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a quick trip or an addition to a larger itinerary. With 83% of the route on highways, expect a focused drive primarily utilizing the I-10 Metro ExpressLanes and the San Bernardino Freeway. The estimated fuel cost is around $5, reflecting the short distance. Since it's a single-day trip, you won't need to worry about overnight stays. This route stays within the Pacific Coast region, offering a straightforward journey between two Southern California cities.
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
11 miles from Fontana, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 13m into the drive .
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Primarily a highway-focused drive, this route will have you on the I-10 Metro ExpressLanes and the San Bernardino Freeway for 83% of its length. You'll experience a longest uninterrupted stretch of 9.3 miles on the I-10 Metro ExpressLanes, so be prepared for sustained highway speeds. While the roads are predominantly freeway, you'll also encounter segments on Sierra Avenue, offering a slight change of pace before rejoining the main thoroughfares. Expect a generally efficient and direct driving experience with minimal complex turns.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I-10 Metro ExpressLanes 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.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 21.9 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 1.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 7.8 miles (I 10 EXPR / I-10 Metro ExpressLanes): 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
Take the ramp toward I 10 West: Los Angeles
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
Take the exit toward Orange Grove Avenue, Garey Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto West Mission Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I-10 Metro ExpressLanes | 9.3 mi | 9m |
| San Bernardino Freeway | 8.8 mi | 10m |
| Sierra Avenue | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| North Garey Avenue | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| North Orange Grove Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West Mission Boulevard | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Merrill Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| South Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Fontana, CA and Pomona, 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
Take the exit
Turn left onto North Orange Grove Avenue
Turn left onto North Garey Avenue
Turn right onto West Mission Boulevard
Turn right onto South Main Street
Arrive at destination
Given the short 27-minute duration and 21.9-mile distance, this trip offers a lot of flexibility. Aim to depart Fontana during off-peak hours to avoid any potential local traffic congestion, especially as you approach Pomona. With a fuel cost estimated at just $5, you likely won't need to plan for extensive fuel stops. The longest stretch is 9.3 miles on the I-10 Metro ExpressLanes, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge before you start to ensure you have enough for the entire trip. No specific stops are recommended, so you can adjust your timing as needed.
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.
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 21.9 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 11 miles or 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pomona, CA than in the middle of the route.
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 21.9 miles and 27m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 11 mi from Fontana, CA · 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
11 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 21.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 11 miles from Fontana, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Pomona, 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 Pomona, CA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$5.03 one way
$10.07 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $5.19 | $10.37 |
| premium | $6.18 | $5.33 | $10.65 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.84 | $9.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.6 | 0 | $2.30 | $1.05 |
| Efficient EV | 5.5 | 0 | $1.92 | $0.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8.8 | 0 | $3.07 | $1.40 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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
Evening in Fontana on Tuesday
Local time
8:46 PM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Pomona on Tuesday
Local time
8:46 PM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
53°F
Riverside, CA
11 mi in
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
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
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.
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