Origin
Fullerton, CA
Afternoon in Fullerton on Sunday
Local time
3:32 PM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fullerton, CA to Fontana, CA
Drive Time
52m
Distance
40.8 mi
66 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 48m
★
6 AM
0h 52m
8 AM
1h 1m
10 AM
0h 55m
12 PM
0h 54m
3 PM
0h 56m
5 PM
1h 0m
8 PM
0h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fullerton, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion from Fullerton to Fontana, you are looking at a straightforward 40.8-mile journey that typically takes about 52 minutes. Since the entire trip is situated within the Pacific Coast region of California, you won't experience a major change in landscape, but you will move from the Orange County area toward the Inland Empire. Because the travel time is under an hour, this works perfectly as a simple day trip that requires no overnight stay. You can expect to budget roughly $9 for fuel for the one-way transit. The route relies heavily on major infrastructure, including the Orange Freeway and the San Bernardino Freeway, making it a highly efficient connection between these two cities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
20.4 miles from Fullerton, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 28m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a focused highway experience for this 40.8-mile trip, as 81% of your time will be spent on high-speed roads. You will find yourself navigating a mix of the Orange Freeway and the I-10 Metro ExpressLanes, which dictate the pace of the drive. The longest uninterrupted segment occurs on the San Bernardino Freeway, spanning 12.5 miles of consistent highway driving. It is a practical, utilitarian route rather than a leisurely scenic tour, so anticipate a steady, interstate-heavy flow. Once you merge onto the main corridors, the driving character remains predictable and fast-paced until you reach your destination in Fontana.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 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 12.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on San Bernardino Freeway and I-10 Metro ExpressLanes. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.8 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 40.8 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 4.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 13.4 miles (CA 57): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
4.8 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Take the ramp toward CA 57 North: Pomona
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward CA 57 North: Pomona
7
13.4 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
CA 57
Take the exit onto CA 57 toward CA 57 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 25
Toward CA 57 North
7
16.6 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Take the exit toward I 10 West, I 10 East: Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ontario Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 10 West, I 10 East: Los Angeles, San B...
8
16.8 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 East: San Bernardino Freeway, San Bernardino
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 10 East: San Bernardino Freeway, San B...
8
39 mi into trip
|
~49m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Sierra Avenue North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward Sierra Avenue North
Towns Along This Route
Between Fullerton, CA and Fontana, CA, road signs point toward San Bernardino and Ontario Airport.
San Bernardino
16.6 mi in
|
~23m
Ontario Airport
16.6 mi in
|
~23m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| San Bernardino Freeway | 12.5 mi | 14m |
| I-10 Metro ExpressLanes | 9 mi | 9m |
| Orange Freeway | 7.2 mi | 8m |
| CA 57 | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| Sierra Avenue | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Brea Boulevard | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Pomona Freeway | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| North State College Boulevard | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
San Bernardino Freeway
— 12.5 mi, about 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fullerton, CA and Fontana, CA.
1
Start on West Commonwealth Avenue
312 ft
·
16 sec
·
West Commonwealth Avenue
2
Turn left onto North Harbor Boulevard
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Harbor Boulevard
Use the left lane.
3
Turn slight right
363 ft
·
8 sec
4
Turn straight onto Brea Boulevard
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Brea Boulevard
Use the none lane.
5
Turn right onto Bastanchury Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Bastanchury Road
Use the none lane.
6
Turn left onto North State College Boulevard
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North State College Boulevard
Use the left lane.
7
Turn right onto CA 90
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
East Imperial Highway
Use the right lane.
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward CA 57 North: Pomona
Use the left lane.
9
Merge onto CA 57
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Orange Freeway
Use the none lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 57
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Orange Freeway
Use the none lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 57
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Orange Freeway
Use the none lane.
12
Merge onto CA 60; CA 57
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Pomona Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit onto CA 57
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
CA 57
Exit 25
Toward CA 57 North
Use the slight right lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward I 10 West, I 10 East: Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ontario Airport
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 East: San Bernardino Freeway, San Bernardino
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 10
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 EXPR
9.0 mi
·
9 min
·
I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
Use the slight left lane.
19
Merge onto I 10
6.5 mi
·
7 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 64
Toward Sierra Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork
448 ft
·
12 sec
Toward Sierra Avenue North
Use the left lane.
22
Turn slight left onto Sierra Avenue
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Sierra Avenue
Use the left lane.
23
Turn right onto Merrill Avenue
205 ft
·
4 sec
·
Merrill Avenue
Use the none lane.
24
Arrive at destination
Merrill Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 52-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around local traffic patterns. You will not need to schedule any formal stops along the way, as the route is designed for efficiency rather than sightseeing. However, be mindful that using the I-10 Metro ExpressLanes may involve specific toll requirements, so check your payment options before you merge. Because the fuel cost is a modest $9, you can easily top off your tank before you leave Fullerton without worrying about finding remote stations. Aim to hit the road outside of peak commuting hours to ensure you maintain that estimated 52-minute travel time.
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 20.4 miles from Fullerton, CA, or about 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 12.5 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 40.8 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 20.4 miles or 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fontana, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fullerton, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fullerton, CA
This is one driving day of about 40.8 miles and 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fullerton, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on San Bernardino Freeway for about 12.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 20.4 mi from Fullerton, CA · 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
20 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 40.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 20.4 miles from Fullerton, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Fontana, CA
The final approach into Fontana, 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 Fontana, CA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.45 one way
$18.90 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $9.74 | $19.49 |
| premium | $6.24 | $10.03 | $20.06 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $9.06 | $18.13 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.2 | 0 | $4.28 | $1.96 |
| Efficient EV | 10.2 | 0 | $3.57 | $1.63 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.3 | 0 | $5.71 | $2.61 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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
Fontana, CA
Afternoon in Fontana on Sunday
Local time
3:32 PM
PDT
Current temp
54°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
23 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
52m 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 Fullerton, CA to Fontana, CA covers 40.8 miles and takes about 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are San Bernardino Freeway, I-10 Metro ExpressLanes, Orange Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 20.4 miles from Fullerton, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.45 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 demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 40.8 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 4.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 13.4 miles (CA 57): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Fullerton, CA and Fontana, CA, road signs point toward San Bernardino and Ontario Airport.
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