Connecting Fontana to Lancaster, this 71.3-mile journey typically takes about 1 hour and 39 minutes to complete. Because of the relatively short distance, this trip is perfectly manageable as a single-day excursion, requiring no overnight stays. You should budget approximately $17 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Pacific Coast locations. The route relies on a combination of the Barstow and Mojave Freeway, CA 138, and the Sierra Highway. It is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that serves as an efficient link between these inland Southern California communities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.7 miles from Fontana, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
CA 138
39.9 mi
55m
Sierra Highway
8.3 mi
12m
Barstow and Mojave Freeway
6.8 mi
7m
Sierra Avenue
6.1 mi
9m
East Palmdale Boulevard
4.1 mi
5m
Ontario Freeway
3.7 mi
4m
47th Street East
1.8 mi
2m
Merrill Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
CA 138
— 39.9 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fontana, CA and Lancaster, CA.
1
Start on Merrill Avenue
205 ft·6 sec·Merrill Avenue
2
Turn right onto Sierra Avenue
6.1 mi·9 min·Sierra Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·34 sec
Toward I 15 North
4
Merge onto I 15
3.7 mi·4 min·Ontario Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 15
6.8 mi·7 min·Barstow and Mojave Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 131Toward CA 138: Palmdale, Silverwood LakeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Turn left onto CA 138
40 mi·55 min·CA 138
8
Continue on CA 138
1.8 mi·2 min·47th Street East
9
Enter roundabout onto CA 138
287 ft·10 sec·East Palmdale Boulevard
10
Continue on CA 138
4.1 mi·5 min·East Palmdale Boulevard
11
Turn right onto US 6 Hist
8.3 mi·12 min·Sierra Highway
Use the left lane.
12
Arrive at destination
US 6 Hist
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively quick drive, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience without needing a rigid itinerary. While the 1-hour and 39-minute duration is short, keep in mind that the majority of your time is spent on highways, so check traffic reports for the Barstow and Mojave Freeway before you head out. You won't need to plan for formal stops, but having your $17 fuel budget ready ensures you can fill up whenever it is most convenient. Use the 39.9-mile stretch on CA 138 to maintain a steady pace, as this section will likely be the most consistent part of your commute.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 35.7 miles from Fontana, CA, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 39.9 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 16 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.7 miles or 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lancaster, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fontana, CA
This is one driving day of about 71.3 miles and 1h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Fontana, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on CA 138 for about 39.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 7
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 63 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Sierra Avenue
Turn right onto Sierra Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
6.2 mi into trip|~9m in
Take the ramp toward I 15 North
Navigation decision point
Toward I 15 North
5
6.4 mi into trip|~10m in|I 15 / Ontario Freeway
Merge onto I 15 / Ontario Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
17 mi into trip|~21m in
Take the exit toward CA 138: Palmdale, Silverwood Lake
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 131
Toward CA 138: Palmdale, Silverwood Lake
5
63 mi into trip|~1h 26m in|US 6 Hist / Sierra Highway
Turn right onto US 6 Hist / Sierra Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.39 one way
$32.78 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$16.89
$33.77
premium
$6.18
$17.34
$34.68
diesel
$5.61
$15.74
$31.48
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.4
0
$7.49
$3.42
Efficient EV
17.8
0
$6.24
$2.85
EV Truck/SUV
28.5
0
$9.98
$4.56
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 12, 2026
Origin
Fontana, CA
Afternoon
in Fontana on Saturday
Local time
1:29 PM
PDT
Current temp
52°F
Rain Showers
SW 10 to 15 mph81% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Lancaster, CA
Afternoon
in Lancaster on Saturday
Local time
1:29 PM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Light Rain
SW 15 to 20 mph99% chanceLive 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
3 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
1h 39m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip defined by its highway-focused nature, with 71% of your travel occurring on major thoroughfares. You will navigate a variety of road types, transitioning between high-speed freeway segments and the more localized flow of CA 138 and the Sierra Highway. Your longest uninterrupted stretch covers 39.9 miles along CA 138, which dictates the primary pace of your journey. The transition from the dense traffic patterns near Fontana to the more open stretches approaching Lancaster gives the drive a distinct shift in rhythm as you progress northward.
71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 39.9 mi on CA 138.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CA 138 and Sierra Highway. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Sierra Avenue.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Fontana, CA to Lancaster, CA is easy. At 1h 39m with 71% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Sierra Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 6.4 miles (I 15 / Ontario Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Lancaster, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Silverwood Lake along the way.
The longest stretch is about 39.9 miles on CA 138. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Sierra Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 6.4 miles (I 15 / Ontario Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Lancaster, CA before heading back.
