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Trip from Fontana, CA to Redding, CA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

10h 49m

Distance

590.2 mi

950 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$136

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
10h 40m ★
6 AM
10h 50m
8 AM
11h 9m
10 AM
10h 56m
12 PM
10h 55m
3 PM
10h 57m
5 PM
11h 8m
8 PM
10h 44m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Fontana, CA, CA

Fontana, CA

Wikimedia Commons

city in Shasta County, California, United States

Redding, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Fontana, CA to Redding, CA covers 590.2 miles and takes about 10h 49m behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.

The route leans on Westside Freeway, Foothill Freeway, I 5 Truck for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is long-distance drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 425.9 miles on Westside Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $135.65 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

3 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

295.1 miles from Fontana, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 28m into the drive .

Drive Character

At 590.2 miles and 10h 49m of driving, this is a route where fuel stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single turn. The main roads are Westside Freeway and Foothill Freeway.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Westside Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 425.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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 Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 590.2 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 45 miles (I 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 23 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 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.
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
7
587.8 mi into trip | ~10h 45m in

Keep slight left at fork toward CA 44 West: Eureka, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 678 Toward CA 44 West: Eureka, Whiskeytown National...

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Westside Freeway 425.9 mi 7h 39m
Foothill Freeway 67.2 mi 1h 17m
I 5 Truck 37.1 mi 42m
Cascade Wonderland Highway 31.6 mi 34m
Golden State Freeway 22.3 mi 25m
Sierra Avenue 3 mi 4m
CA 44 1.2 mi 1m
Pine Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Westside Freeway — 425.9 mi, about 7h 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fontana, CA and Redding, 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 West Use 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 26A Toward I 210 West: Sacramento Use 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 North Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

26 mi · 27 min · Westside Freeway
17

Keep left at fork onto I 5

54 mi · 59 min · Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

121 mi · 2 hr 10 min · Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Continue on I 5

32 mi · 34 min · Cascade Wonderland Highway
20

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 15 sec
Exit 678 Toward CA 44: Eureka, Susanville
21

Keep slight left at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min
Exit 678 Toward CA 44 West: Eureka, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
22

Merge onto CA 44

1.2 mi · 1 min · CA 44
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Turn right onto CA 44; CA 273; US 99 Hist

489 ft · 17 sec · Pine Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
24

Turn left onto CA 44; CA 273; US 99 Hist

391 ft · 18 sec · Eureka Way
Use the left lane.
25

Turn left onto CA 44; CA 273; US 99 Hist

444 ft · 12 sec · South Market Street
Use the left lane.
26

Arrive at destination

CA 44; CA 273; US 99 Hist

Trip Plan

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 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 295.1 miles from Fontana, CA, or about 5h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 425.9 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 130 miles or 2h 31m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 295.1 miles or 5h 28m 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 295.1 miles or 5h 28m

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 9h 43m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Redding, 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 295 miles and 5.4 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Redding, CA

Aim for roughly 295 miles and 5.4 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 130 miles from Fontana, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 425.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 295.1 mi from Fontana, CA · 5h 28m into the drive

city in Los Angeles County, California, USA

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

Santa Clarita, CA

195 mi into the route

Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch

This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.

city in Sacramento County, California, United States of America

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

Galt, CA

390 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Galt, CA

Overnight Options

Night 1

Modesto, CA

295 mi · about 5.4h in

A practical overnight split lands near Modesto, CA after about 295 miles or 5.4 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Bakersfield, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 130 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Turlock, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 295.1 miles from Fontana, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 425.9 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 295 miles or 5.4 hours on the road.

Arriving in Redding, CA

The final approach into Redding, 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 Redding, CA.

On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Redding, CA with some flexibility left in the schedule.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

Whiskeytown Lake’s crystal-clear waters are iconic, but this 42,000-acre National Recreation Area offers much more. Explore waterfalls, hike rugged trails, uncover Gold Rush history, and witness the r...

11 mi from route ~28 min detour $15 near mile 590.2
Caution: Winter Hazards on Trails - Downed Trees and High Water
View on nps.gov
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

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...

26 mi from route ~64 min detour Free near mile 81.4
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$135.65 one way

$271.31 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 207 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $139.79 $279.58
premium $6.18 $143.53 $287.06
diesel $5.61 $130.31 $260.62

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$136

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$266–$376

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 206.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $62 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 177.1 2 $61.97 $28.33
Efficient EV 147.6 1 $51.64 $23.61
EV Truck/SUV 236.1 2 $82.63 $37.77

Gas CO2

207 kg

EV CO2

69 kg (67% less)

Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 16, 2026

Origin

Fontana, CA

Afternoon in Fontana on Thursday

Local time

2:14 PM

PDT

Current temp

74°F

Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny

SW 0 to 15 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Redding, CA

Afternoon in Redding on Thursday

Local time

2:14 PM

PDT

Current temp

68°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

6 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

10h 49m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Fontana, CA to Redding, CA covers 590.2 miles and takes about 10h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, Foothill Freeway, I 5 Truck. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 295 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 295.1 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 $135.65 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 590.2 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.
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 45 miles (I 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Fontana, CA to Redding, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Whiskeytown National Recreation Area and Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

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