This 415-mile journey from Fontana, California, to Concord, California, is designed as a single-day adventure, estimated to take around 7 hours and 42 minutes. The route is predominantly highway-focused, with 94% of it being on major roads like the Westside Freeway and Foothill Freeway, before merging onto I-5 Truck. With an estimated fuel cost of $95 and a plan for 2 stops, this drive offers a straightforward path through California. Given its length and highway nature, it's manageable in one go, though breaking it up is also an option if preferred. You'll be traveling within the Pacific Coast region for the entire trip.
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
207.5 miles from Fontana, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 54m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 42m. Total distance: 415 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 42m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for the vast majority of this 415-mile trip, with 94% of the route utilizing major freeways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 225.6 miles, primarily on the Westside Freeway. This means you'll be in a consistent driving rhythm for significant portions of your journey. While largely a freeway experience, the shifts between the Westside Freeway, Foothill Freeway, and I-5 Truck will mark the progression of your drive, offering a familiar and efficient path.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 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.
Driving Effort9/10
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 26 significant decision points across 415 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 26 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
8
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...
9
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...
9
412.9 mi into trip|~7h 38m in|CA 242
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 242 toward CA 242 North: Concord, Pittsburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 50
Toward CA 242 North: Concord, Pittsburg
8
413.7 mi into trip|~7h 38m in
Take the exit toward Clayton Road, Concord
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 1
Toward Clayton Road, Concord
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fontana, CA and Concord, CA, road signs point toward San Francisco, Sacramento and Walnut Creek.
San Francisco
355.7 mi in|~6h 33m|via I 580
Sacramento
392.3 mi in|~7h 14m
Walnut Creek
392.3 mi in|~7h 14m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
225.6 mi
4h 1m
Foothill Freeway
67.2 mi
1h 17m
I 5 Truck
37.1 mi
42m
Golden State Freeway
22.3 mi
25m
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
19.6 mi
22m
William Elton Brown Freeway
17 mi
18m
Donald D Doyle Highway
15.2 mi
17m
Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 225.6 mi, about 4h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fontana, CA and Concord, 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 left at fork onto I 580
16 mi·17 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
Toward I 580 West: Tracy, San Francisco
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580 Bypass
1.1 mi·1 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
18
Merge onto I 580
18 mi·20 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
1.6 mi·1 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·16 sec
Exit 44BToward I 680 South, I 680 North: San Jose, Sacramento, Concord, Walnut CreekUse the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·30 sec
Toward I 680 North: Walnut Creek, Concord, SacramentoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto I 680
15 mi·17 min·Donald D Doyle Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 680
5.0 mi·5 min·Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Toward I 680, CA 24Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 242
0.7 mi·46 sec·CA 242
Exit 50Toward CA 242 North: Concord, PittsburgUse the slight right lane.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 1Toward Clayton Road, ConcordUse the slight right lane.
26
Turn left onto Market Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·Market Street
Use the left lane.
27
Turn right onto Willow Pass Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Willow Pass Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Arrive at destination
Willow Pass Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour, 42-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Fontana to bypass potential traffic. With 2 planned stops, you can easily break up the 415 miles into manageable segments. The longest stretch is over 225 miles, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly. A good tip for this route is to monitor traffic conditions, especially as you approach urban areas, as even highway-focused drives can be impacted. The estimated fuel cost is $95, so factor that into your budget.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 207.5 miles from Fontana, CA, or about 3h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 225.6 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 91 miles or 1h 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 207.5 miles or 3h 54m 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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Concord, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fontana, CA
This is one driving day of about 415 miles and 7h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 91 miles from Fontana, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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 207.5 mi from Fontana, CA
· 3h 54m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
National Memorial
On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two s...
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of American civilians on the WWII home front. Discover how diverse communities lived, worked, and interacted. Many faces, many stories, many truths...
19 mi from route
~46 min detour
Free
near mile 415
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
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 71.5
Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park celebrates America’s maritime heritage on the Pacific Coast. Our 50-acre park has grown around Aquatic Park Cove, a protected area...
24 mi from route
~59 min detour
Free
near mile 400.7
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 128.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$95.38 one way
$190.77 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg145 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$98.29
$196.59
premium
$6.18
$100.92
$201.85
diesel
$5.61
$91.63
$183.25
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$95
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$120–$145
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 145.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
124.5
1
$43.57
$19.92
Efficient EV
103.8
1
$36.31
$16.60
EV Truck/SUV
166
2
$58.10
$26.56
Gas CO2
145 kg
EV CO2
49 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Fontana, CA
Late night
in Fontana on Saturday
Local time
1:11 AM
PDT
Current temp
74°F
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
SW 0 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 8:38AM PDT until April 16 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Eureka CA
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 8:38AM PDT until April 16 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Eureka CA
Destination
Concord, CA
Late night
in Concord on Saturday
Local time
1:11 AM
PDT
Current temp
66°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.
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
8 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
7h 42m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Fontana, CA to Concord, CA covers 415 miles and takes about 7h 42m 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. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 207.5 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 $95.38 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 415 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: 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.
Between Fontana, CA and Concord, CA, road signs point toward San Francisco, Sacramento and Walnut Creek.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. There are 5 parks within detour distance of this route.
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.
