This 45.9-mile drive from Fontana, CA to Santa Fe Springs, CA is a straightforward trip perfect for a single day. Expect the journey to take approximately 55 minutes, making it an easy addition to your Southern California travels. The primary arteries for this route are the San Bernardino Freeway and the San Gabriel River Freeway, with some use of the I-10 Metro ExpressLanes. Given its short distance and duration, no overnight stay is necessary. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $11. Both your starting and ending points are within the Pacific Coast region, keeping the scenery consistent. This route offers a practical and efficient way to connect these two Southern California locations.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 55m. Total distance: 45.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This drive is overwhelmingly a highway-focused experience, with 92% of the route utilizing major freeways. You'll spend the majority of your time on the San Bernardino Freeway, experiencing a longest uninterrupted stretch of 23.5 miles. The San Gabriel River Freeway continues this high-speed, highway feel. While it’s a predominantly interstate experience, the transition between these major freeways is generally seamless. You can anticipate a consistent driving pace for most of this journey, characteristic of urban Southern California commutes.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
San Bernardino Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 23.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on San Bernardino Freeway and San Gabriel River 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.
Driving Effort10/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 25 decision points packed into just 45.9 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 55m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Sierra Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.8 miles (I 10 EXPR / I-10 Metro ExpressLanes): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 25 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Sierra Avenue
Turn left onto Sierra Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
7.8 mi into trip|~10m in|I 10 EXPR / I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 EXPR / I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
34.8 mi into trip|~40m in
Take the exit toward I 605: San Gabriel River Freeway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 31A
Toward I 605: San Gabriel River Freeway
7
35 mi into trip|~41m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 605 South: San Bernardino
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 605 South: San Bernardino
7
44.8 mi into trip|~52m in
Take the exit toward Telegraph Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 12
Toward Telegraph Road
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
San Bernardino Freeway
23.5 mi
27m
San Gabriel River Freeway
9.4 mi
10m
I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
9.3 mi
9m
Sierra Avenue
1.6 mi
2m
Telegraph Road
0.7 mi
1m
Alburtis Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Merrill Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
San Bernardino Freeway
— 23.5 mi, about 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fontana, CA and Santa Fe Springs, 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 AngelesUse the right lane.
4
Merge onto I 10
5.8 mi·6 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 EXPR
9.3 mi·9 min·I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 10
1.2 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
0.9 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.3 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.9 mi·2 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.9 mi·2 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.6 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.4 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.5 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.1 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
2.0 mi·2 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.6 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.3 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 31AToward I 605: San Gabriel River FreewayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward I 605 South: San BernardinoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 605
9.4 mi·10 min·San Gabriel River Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 12Toward Telegraph RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn left onto Telegraph Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Telegraph Road
Use the right lane.
23
Turn left onto Alburtis Avenue
244 ft·10 sec·Alburtis Avenue
Use the left lane.
24
Turn right
209 ft·17 sec
25
Turn right
201 ft·17 sec
26
Turn right onto Telegraph Road
0.1 mi·17 sec·Telegraph Road
27
Arrive at destination
Telegraph Road
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 23 miles from Fontana, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Santa Fe Springs, CA
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Santa Fe Springs, CA if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.55 one way
$21.10 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg16 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$10.87
$21.74
premium
$6.18
$11.16
$22.32
diesel
$5.61
$10.13
$20.27
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging
· 0 stops
· 69% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
13.8
0
$4.82
$2.20
Efficient EV
11.5
0
$4.02
$1.84
EV Truck/SUV
18.4
0
$6.43
$2.94
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Fontana, CA
Late night
in Fontana on Saturday
Local time
5:41 AM
PDT
Current temp
73°F
Partly Sunny
SW 10 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Lake Wind Advisory
Lake Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 2:48PM PDT until April 16 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 2:48PM PDT until April 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Destination
Santa Fe Springs, CA
Late night
in Santa Fe Springs on Saturday
Local time
5:41 AM
PDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1 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
55m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Fontana, CA to Santa Fe Springs, CA covers 45.9 miles and takes about 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are San Bernardino Freeway, San Gabriel River Freeway, I-10 Metro ExpressLanes. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 23 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 $10.55 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 is a short but busy drive. With 25 decision points packed into just 45.9 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 55m.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Sierra Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.8 miles (I 10 EXPR / I-10 Metro ExpressLanes): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Fontana, CA to Santa Fe Springs, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
