Origin
Fontana, CA
Late night in Fontana on Friday
Local time
4:05 AM
PDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fontana, CA to Dana Point, CA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 22m
Distance
65.6 mi
106 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 16m
★
6 AM
1h 23m
8 AM
1h 36m
10 AM
1h 27m
12 PM
1h 26m
3 PM
1h 28m
5 PM
1h 35m
8 PM
1h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fontana, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Dana Point, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Fontana, CA to Dana Point, CA covers 65.6 miles and takes about 1h 22m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on San Diego Freeway, CA 91, Eastern Transportation Corridor for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 14 miles on San Diego Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $15.08 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 22m. Total distance: 65.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (60%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
The drive from Fontana, CA to Dana Point, CA covers 65.6 miles and takes about 1h 22m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
San Diego Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 14 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.4 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 65.6 miles you will encounter 24 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 7.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 24 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
7.4 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Take the exit toward I 15 South, I 15 North: Barstow, San Diego
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 58
Toward I 15 South, I 15 North: Barstow, San Die...
7
7.7 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 15 South: San Diego
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 15 South: San Diego
7
14.1 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Take the exit toward Limonite Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 103
Toward Limonite Avenue
7
30.9 mi into trip
|
~40m in
Take the exit toward CA 241 South: Irvine
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 41B
Toward CA 241 South: Irvine
8
63.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m in
Take the exit toward CA 1: Pacific Coast Highway, Camino Las Ramblas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 79
Toward CA 1: Pacific Coast Highway, Camino Las...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Fontana, CA to Dana Point, CA, road signs begin pointing toward San Diego along the way.
San Diego
7.4 mi in
|
~9m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego Freeway | 14 mi | 16m |
| CA 91 | 9.1 mi | 10m |
| Eastern Transportation Corridor | 8.6 mi | 9m |
| Corona Freeway | 5.7 mi | 6m |
| San Bernardino Freeway | 5.4 mi | 6m |
| Foothill Transportation Corridor | 5.3 mi | 6m |
| Ontario Freeway | 3.2 mi | 3m |
| Hamner Avenue | 2.6 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
San Diego Freeway
— 14 mi, about 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fontana, CA and Dana Point, CA.
1
Start on Merrill Avenue
205 ft
·
9 sec
·
Merrill Avenue
2
Turn left onto Sierra Avenue
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Sierra Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 10 West: Los Angeles
Use the right lane.
4
Merge onto I 10
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 58
Toward I 15 South, I 15 North: Barstow, San Diego
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 15 South: San Diego
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 15
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Ontario Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 15
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
·
Ontario Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Continue on I 15
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Corona Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 103
Toward Limonite Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn right onto Limonite Avenue
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
Limonite Avenue
Use the right lane.
12
Turn left onto Hamner Avenue
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Hamner Avenue
Use the left lane.
13
Turn left onto 6th Street
354 ft
·
14 sec
·
6th Street
Use the left lane.
14
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I 15 South: San Diego
15
Merge onto I 15
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Corona Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
48 sec
Toward CA 91 West: Beach Cities
Use the slight right lane.
17
Continue on CA 91
9.1 mi
·
10 min
·
CA 91
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
1.2 mi
·
1 min
Exit 41B
Toward CA 241 South: Irvine
Use the slight right lane.
19
Continue on CA 241 Toll
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Eastern Transportation Corridor
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 241 Toll
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Foothill Transportation Corridor
21
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 27
Toward CA 133 Toll
22
Continue on CA 133 Toll
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Eastern Transportation Corridor
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 10A
Toward I 5 South: San Diego
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto I 5
0.8 mi
·
56 sec
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto I 5
14 mi
·
16 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 79
Toward CA 1: Pacific Coast Highway, Camino Las Ramblas
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Turn right onto CA 1
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Pacific Coast Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Turn left onto Golden Lantern Street
132 ft
·
7 sec
·
Golden Lantern Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
30
Arrive at destination
Golden Lantern Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 32.8 mi from Fontana, CA · 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
33 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 32.8 miles from Fontana, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Dana Point, CA
The final approach into Dana Point, CA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.08 one way
$30.16 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
23 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $15.54 | $31.07 |
| premium | $6.18 | $15.95 | $31.91 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.48 | $28.97 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$15
Estimated CO2 emission: 23 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.7 | 0 | $6.89 | $3.15 |
| Efficient EV | 16.4 | 0 | $5.74 | $2.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 26.2 | 0 | $9.18 | $4.20 |
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
Dana Point, CA
Late night in Dana Point on Friday
Local time
4:05 AM
PDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Road read
1h 22m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 Dana Point, CA covers 65.6 miles and takes about 1h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are San Diego Freeway, CA 91, Eastern Transportation Corridor. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 32.8 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 $15.08 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 65.6 miles you will encounter 24 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Fontana, CA to Dana Point, CA, road signs begin pointing toward San Diego along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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