Trip from Fontana, CA to Ukiah, CA

Drive Time

10h 2m

Distance

533.1 mi

858 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$123

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Photo: Stephen Leonardi

Trip Overview

The drive from Fontana, CA to Ukiah, CA covers 533.1 miles and takes about 10h 2m 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, Saint Helena Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is long-distance drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 225.6 miles on Westside Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $123.45 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

2 planned breaks

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

Midpoint

266.6 miles from Fontana, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 57m into the drive .

Drive Character

At 533.1 miles and 10h 2m 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 51 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 225.6 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 around 45 miles in near I 210 / Foothill Freeway.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 41 significant decision points across 533.1 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: at 45 miles (I 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 392.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 392.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 41 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

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

392.3 mi into trip | ~7h 14m in

Take the exit toward I 680 South, I 680 North: San Jose, Sacramento, Concord, Walnut Creek

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 44B Toward I 680 South, I 680 North: San Jose, Sacr...

392.4 mi into trip | ~7h 14m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 680 North: Walnut Creek, Concord, Sacramento

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 680 North: Walnut Creek, Concord, Sacr...

412.9 mi into trip | ~7h 38m in | I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway toward I 680 North: Martinez, Sacramento

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the none lane. Toward I 680 North: Martinez, Sacramento

427.7 mi into trip | ~7h 55m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 East: Sacramento

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 80 East: Sacramento

Towns Along This Route

Between Fontana, CA and Ukiah, CA, road signs point toward San Francisco, Sacramento, Concord, Walnut Creek, Novato and Auto Mall.

San Francisco

355.7 mi in | ~6h 33m | via I 580

Sacramento

392.3 mi in | ~7h 14m

Concord

392.3 mi in | ~7h 14m

Walnut Creek

392.3 mi in | ~7h 14m

Novato

430.5 mi in | ~7h 58m

Auto Mall

430.5 mi in | ~7h 58m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Westside Freeway	225.6 mi	4h 1m
Foothill Freeway	67.2 mi	1h 17m
Saint Helena Highway	51.2 mi	59m
I 5 Truck	37.1 mi	42m
Redwood Highway	36.1 mi	44m
Golden State Freeway	22.3 mi	25m
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway	19.6 mi	22m
William Elton Brown Freeway	17 mi	18m

Longest stretch: Westside Freeway — 225.6 mi, about 4h 1m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Merrill Avenue

205 ft · 6 sec · Merrill Avenue

Turn right onto Sierra Avenue

3.0 mi · 4 min · Sierra Avenue

Use the none lane.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 45 sec

Toward CA 210 West Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto CA 210

15 mi · 17 min · Foothill Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210

1.2 mi · 1 min · Foothill Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210

2.4 mi · 2 min · Foothill Freeway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210

1.4 mi · 1 min · Foothill Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210

1.8 mi · 2 min · Foothill Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210

20 mi · 23 min · Foothill Freeway

Use the none lane.

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.

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 9 sec

Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 5 Truck

1.0 mi · 1 min · I 5 Truck

Exit 161A

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck

36 mi · 41 min · I 5 Truck

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

22 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

226 mi · 4 hr 1 min · Westside Freeway

Toward I 5 North Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 580

16 mi · 17 min · William Elton Brown Freeway

Toward I 580 West: Tracy, San Francisco

Keep slight right at fork onto I 580 Bypass

1.1 mi · 1 min · William Elton Brown Freeway

Merge onto I 580

18 mi · 20 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 580

1.6 mi · 1 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 16 sec

Exit 44B Toward I 680 South, I 680 North: San Jose, Sacramento, Concord, Walnut Creek Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 30 sec

Toward I 680 North: Walnut Creek, Concord, Sacramento Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 680

15 mi · 17 min · Donald D Doyle Highway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 680

5.0 mi · 5 min · Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway

Toward I 680, CA 24 Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 680

6.0 mi · 6 min · Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway

Toward I 680 North: Martinez, Sacramento Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 680

243 ft · 3 sec · Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 680

1.8 mi · 2 min · Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway

Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 780

6.7 mi · 7 min · I 780

Toward I 780: Benicia Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Exit 1B Toward I 80 East: Sacramento Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

448 ft · 11 sec

Toward I 80 East: Sacramento Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 80

2.7 mi · 3 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 18 sec

Exit 33 Toward CA 37: Napa, Novato, Auto Mall, Columbus Parkway Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward CA 37: Napa Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on CA 37

1.5 mi · 1 min · CA 37

Toward CA 37 Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 51 sec

Exit 19 Toward CA 29: Napa, Sonoma Boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto CA 29

1.6 mi · 1 min · Sonoma Boulevard

Use the right lane.

Continue on CA 29

4.0 mi · 4 min · Broadway Street

Use the straight lane.

Continue on CA 29

1.3 mi · 1 min · Napa–Vallejo Highway

Use the left / none lanes.

Continue on CA 12; CA 29

22 mi · 25 min · Saint Helena Highway

Use the none lane.

Continue on CA 29; CA 128

2.4 mi · 2 min · Main Street

Use the none lane.

Continue on CA 29; CA 128

6.8 mi · 7 min · Saint Helena Highway

Use the none lane.

Continue on CA 128

1.4 mi · 1 min · Foothill Boulevard

Continue on CA 128

16 mi · 18 min · Saint Helena Highway

Continue on CA 128

6.6 mi · 7 min · Saint Helena Highway

At end of road, turn right onto CA 128

0.9 mi · 1 min · Geyserville Avenue

Turn left onto CA 128

359 ft · 6 sec · Canyon Road

Take the exit onto CA 128

0.3 mi · 39 sec · CA 128

Merge onto US 101; CA 128

36 mi · 44 min · Redwood Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec

Toward Perkins Street, Central Ukiah Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn left onto East Perkins Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · East Perkins Street

Turn right onto US 101 Business

57 ft · 1 sec · North State Street

Arrive at destination

US 101 Business

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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 266.6 miles from Fontana, CA, or about 4h 57m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 225.6 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 117 miles or 2h 16m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 266.6 miles or 4h 57m 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 266.6 miles or 4h 57m

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 8h 49m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ukiah, 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 267 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Ukiah, CA

Aim for roughly 267 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 117 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 225.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 266.6 mi from Fontana, CA · 4h 57m into the drive

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

Fresno, CA

176 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.

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

Napa, CA

352 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 Napa, CA

Overnight Options

Night 1

Mountain View, CA

267 mi · about 5h in

A practical overnight split lands near Mountain View, CA after about 267 miles or 5 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Santa Clarita, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 117 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Modesto, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 266.6 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 225.6 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 267 miles or 5 hours on the road.

Arriving in Ukiah, CA

The final approach into Ukiah, 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 Ukiah, CA.

On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Ukiah, 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$123.45 one way

$246.91 round trip

$5.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 187 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$6.07	$127.31	$254.63
premium	$6.24	$131.03	$262.06
diesel	$5.64	$118.44	$236.87

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$123

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$253–$363

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 186.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $56 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	159.9	1	$55.98	$25.59
Efficient EV	133.3	1	$46.65	$21.32
EV Truck/SUV	213.2	2	$74.63	$34.12

Gas CO2

187 kg

EV CO2

62 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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Fontana, CA

Morning in Fontana on Sunday

Local time

11:40 AM

PDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ukiah, CA

Morning in Ukiah on Sunday

Local time

11:40 AM

PDT

Current temp

49°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

5 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 2m 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 Ukiah, CA covers 533.1 miles and takes about 10h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Westside Freeway, Foothill Freeway, Saint Helena Highway. 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 267 miles on day one.

The midpoint is about 266.6 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 $123.45 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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.