Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
7h 29m
Distance
392.7 mi
632 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$90
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fontana, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Scotts Valley, CA
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Fontana, CA to Scotts Valley, CA covers 392.7 miles and takes about 7h 29m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Westside Freeway, Foothill Freeway, I 5 Truck for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 182.5 miles on Westside Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $90.26 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
196.4 miles from Fontana, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 42m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 29m. Total distance: 392.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 29m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
This is a 7h 29m highway drive covering 392.7 miles, with most of the trip on Westside Freeway and Foothill Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 182.5 miles on Westside Freeway.
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.
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 29 significant decision points across 392.7 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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto Sierra Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210 / Foothill Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210 / Foothill Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210 / Foothill Freeway toward I 210 West: Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 / Westside Freeway toward I 5 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fontana, CA and Scotts Valley, CA, road signs point toward Hollister, San Jose and Santa Cruz.
Hollister
San Jose
Santa Cruz
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 182.5 mi | 3h 15m |
| Foothill Freeway | 67.2 mi | 1h 17m |
| I 5 Truck | 37.1 mi | 42m |
| CA 152 | 36.1 mi | 43m |
| Golden State Freeway | 22.3 mi | 25m |
| Cabrillo Highway | 13.8 mi | 15m |
| Riverside Road | 9.5 mi | 13m |
| Bloomfield Avenue | 4.1 mi | 6m |
Step-by-step road directions between Fontana, CA and Scotts Valley, CA.
Start on Merrill Avenue
Turn right onto Sierra Avenue
Take the ramp
Merge onto CA 210
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 5 Truck
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Take the exit
Continue on CA 152; CA33
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 152
Turn left onto CR G7
At end of road, turn right onto CA 25
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 101
Continue on US 101
Take the exit
Turn right onto CA 129
Continue on CA 129
Enter roundabout onto CA 129
Continue on CA 129
Turn right onto Blackburn Street
At end of road, turn left onto CA 152
Turn right onto CA 152
Turn left onto CA 152
Take the ramp
Merge onto CA 1
Take the exit
Merge onto CA 17
Take the exit
Continue on CA 17 Business
Turn right onto CA 17 Business
Arrive at destination
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 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 86 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 196.4 miles or 3h 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 6h 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Scotts Valley, 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.
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fontana, CA
This is one driving day of about 392.7 miles and 7h 29m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 196.4 mi from Fontana, CA · 3h 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
196 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 86 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 196.4 miles from Fontana, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 182.5 miles.
The final approach into Scotts Valley, 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 Scotts Valley, CA.
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.
Regular Gas
$90.26 one way
$180.52 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $93.01 | $186.02 |
| premium | $6.18 | $95.50 | $191.00 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $86.70 | $173.41 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$90
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$115–$140
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 137.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 117.8 | 1 | $41.23 | $18.85 |
| Efficient EV | 98.2 | 1 | $34.36 | $15.71 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 157.1 | 1 | $54.98 | $25.13 |
Gas CO2
137 kg
EV CO2
46 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Fontana on Thursday
Local time
11:24 AM
PDT
Current temp
74°F
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Destination
Morning in Scotts Valley on Thursday
Local time
11:24 AM
PDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
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
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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