Fontana, CA to Rancho Cordova, CA is 431.2 miles and takes about 8h 5m via Westside Freeway, Foothill Freeway, and I 5 Truck, with a fuel budget near $99 and an overnight recommendation. This highway-focused drive travels entirely within California, moving from the Pacific Coast region north to another part of the same region. With a 95% highway share, expect a consistent pace for most of the journey. This trip is best split over two days to make the most of the drive and arrive feeling refreshed.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
215.6 miles from Fontana, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
251.1 mi
4h 29m
Foothill Freeway
67.2 mi
1h 17m
I 5 Truck
37.1 mi
42m
CA 99
29.4 mi
33m
Golden State Freeway
22.3 mi
25m
Bradshaw Road
11.9 mi
16m
Sierra Avenue
3 mi
4m
Crosstown Freeway
2.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 251.1 mi, about 4h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fontana, CA and Rancho Cordova, CA.
1
Start on Merrill Avenue
205 ft·6 sec·Merrill Avenue
2
Turn right onto Sierra Avenue
3.0 mi·4 min·Sierra Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward CA 210 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Merge onto CA 210
15 mi·17 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.2 mi·1 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
2.4 mi·2 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.4 mi·1 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.8 mi·2 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
20 mi·23 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
26 mi·29 min·Foothill Freeway
Exit 26AToward I 210 West: SacramentoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·9 sec
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 5 Truck
1.0 mi·1 min·I 5 Truck
Exit 161A
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
36 mi·41 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
22 mi·25 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
226 mi·4 hr 1 min·Westside Freeway
Toward I 5 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
26 mi·27 min·Westside Freeway
17
Take the exit onto CA 4
0.2 mi·26 sec·CA 4
Toward CA 4 East: Downtown Stockton
18
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 4
0.4 mi·57 sec·CA 4
19
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 4
0.2 mi·30 sec·CA 4
20
Merge onto CA 4
2.5 mi·2 min·Crosstown Freeway
21
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward CA 99 North
22
Merge onto CA 99
29 mi·33 min·CA 99
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward Grant Line Road
24
Turn right onto E2
2.2 mi·3 min·Grant Line Road
25
Turn left onto Bradshaw Road
2.6 mi·3 min·Bradshaw Road
26
Enter roundabout onto Bradshaw Road
91 ft·1 sec·Bradshaw Road
27
Continue on Bradshaw Road
9.3 mi·13 min·Bradshaw Road
Use the left / uturn lanes.
28
Turn right onto Folsom Boulevard
2.2 mi·3 min·Folsom Boulevard
Use the right lane.
29
Arrive at destination
Folsom Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the 8-hour duration, this trip is comfortably split over two days. Aim to depart Fontana in the morning to allow for a full day of driving on your first leg. Plan for at least two stops, strategically placed to break up the longest stretch of 251.1 miles on the Westside Freeway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as highway driving can consume fuel quickly; the estimated cost is $99. Consider an overnight stay around the halfway point to ensure you have ample time to rest before continuing your drive to Rancho Cordova.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 215.6 miles from Fontana, CA, or about 4h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 251.1 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 95 miles or 1h 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 215.6 miles or 4h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 215.6 miles or 4h 3m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rancho Cordova, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fontana, CA
Aim for roughly 216 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Rancho Cordova, CA
Aim for roughly 216 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 95 miles from Fontana, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 251.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 130.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Sierra Avenue
Turn right onto Sierra Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
18.2 mi into trip|~22m in|CA 210 / Foothill Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210 / Foothill Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
19.4 mi into trip|~24m in|CA 210 / Foothill Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210 / Foothill Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
45 mi into trip|~53m in|I 210 / Foothill Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210 / Foothill Freeway toward I 210 West: Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 26A
Toward I 210 West: Sacramento
7
130.1 mi into trip|~2h 31m in|I 5 / Westside Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 / Westside Freeway toward I 5 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 5 North
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$99.11 one way
$198.22 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg151 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$102.13
$204.26
premium
$6.18
$104.86
$209.73
diesel
$5.61
$95.20
$190.41
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$99
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$229–$339
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 150.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $45 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
129.4
1
$45.28
$20.70
Efficient EV
107.8
1
$37.73
$17.25
EV Truck/SUV
172.5
2
$60.37
$27.60
Gas CO2
151 kg
EV CO2
50 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Fontana, CA
Afternoon
in Fontana on Saturday
Local time
12:25 PM
PDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Rancho Cordova, CA
Afternoon
in Rancho Cordova on Saturday
Local time
12:25 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
30 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
8h 5m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultura...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 74.4
Yes, we can! Widely recognized as the most important Latino leader in the United States during the twentieth century, Cesar Chavez led farm workers and supporters in the establishment of the country's...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 133.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 95% of the mileage on major roadways. You'll encounter the Westside Freeway, Foothill Freeway, and I 5 Truck as your primary paths. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 251.1 miles on the Westside Freeway, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. The character of the drive remains largely highway-based throughout, offering a straightforward and efficient journey.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 251.1 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and Foothill 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.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 431.2 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 18.2 miles (CA 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.4 miles (CA 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The longest stretch is about 251.1 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 216 miles on day one.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Rancho Cordova, CA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Sierra Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 18.2 miles (CA 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.4 miles (CA 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and César E. Chávez National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.1 hours each way, a round trip means 16.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Rancho Cordova, CA before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
