Skip to main content

Trip from Fontana, CA to Pomona, CA

Data updated 2 hours ago

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

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 7 min
4 AM
0h 25m ★
6 AM
0h 27m
8 AM
0h 32m
10 AM
0h 29m
12 PM
0h 28m
3 PM
0h 29m
5 PM
0h 32m
8 PM
0h 26m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Fontana, CA, CA

Fontana, CA

Wikimedia Commons

city in Los Angeles County, California, United States

Pomona, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

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 .

Loading map...

Drive Character

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.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I-10 Metro ExpressLanes is the longest continuous segment at about 9.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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.

Route Complexity 10/10

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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

These 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 West: Los Angeles

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward I 10 West: Los Angeles
6
7.8 mi into trip | ~10m in | I 10 EXPR / I-10 Metro ExpressLanes

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 EXPR / I-10 Metro ExpressLanes

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
20.1 mi into trip | ~23m in

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 45 Toward Orange Grove Avenue, Garey Avenue
6
21.8 mi into trip | ~26m in | West Mission Boulevard

Turn right onto West Mission Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Main Roads

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
Longest stretch: I-10 Metro ExpressLanes — 9.3 mi, about 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fontana, CA and Pomona, CA.

1

Start on Merrill Avenue

205 ft · 9 sec · Merrill Avenue
2

Turn left onto Sierra Avenue

1.6 mi · 2 min · Sierra Avenue
Use the left lane.
3

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 45 sec
Toward I 10 West: Los Angeles Use the right lane.
4

Merge onto I 10

5.8 mi · 6 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 EXPR

9.3 mi · 9 min · I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Merge onto I 10

1.2 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

0.9 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

0.9 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Exit 45 Toward Orange Grove Avenue, Garey Avenue Use the slight right lane.
10

Turn left onto North Orange Grove Avenue

0.2 mi · 36 sec · North Orange Grove Avenue
11

Turn left onto North Garey Avenue

1.2 mi · 2 min · North Garey Avenue
Use the left lane.
12

Turn right onto West Mission Boulevard

0.1 mi · 15 sec · West Mission Boulevard
Use the right lane.
13

Turn right onto South Main Street

90 ft · 4 sec · South Main Street
14

Arrive at destination

South Main Street

Trip Plan

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.

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 11 miles from Fontana, CA, or about 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 9.3 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 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.

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 21.9 miles and 27m.

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 I-10 Metro ExpressLanes for about 9.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 11 mi from Fontana, CA · 13m into the drive

county seat of Riverside County, California, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Riverside, CA

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.

Pacing Suggestions

Anaheim, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 21.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Riverside, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 11 miles from Fontana, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Pomona, CA

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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$5.03 one way

$10.07 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 8 kg CO2
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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Fontana, CA

Evening in Fontana on Tuesday

Local time

8:46 PM

PDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Pomona, CA

Evening in Pomona on Tuesday

Local time

8:46 PM

PDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

3 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

27m 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 Pomona, CA covers 21.9 miles and takes about 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I-10 Metro ExpressLanes, San Bernardino 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 11 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 $5.03 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.
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.
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.
The route from Fontana, CA to Pomona, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Fontana, CA or browse trips ending in Pomona, CA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.

Explore maps for Fontana, CA or Pomona, CA on MapSof.net.