Origin
Irvine, CA
Afternoon in Irvine on Sunday
Local time
1:46 PM
PDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Irvine, CA to Fontana, CA
Drive Time
1h 2m
Distance
52.3 mi
84 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 57m
★
6 AM
1h 2m
8 AM
1h 12m
10 AM
1h 6m
12 PM
1h 5m
3 PM
1h 6m
5 PM
1h 12m
8 PM
0h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Irvine, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
The drive from Irvine, CA to Fontana, CA covers 52.3 miles and takes about 1h 2m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on University Drive, Jeffrey Road, Irvine Center Drive for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.11 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
26.1 miles from Irvine, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 31m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 2m drive with frequent turns across 52.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
University Drive is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Irvine, CA to Fontana, CA is easy. At 1h 2m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Irvine, CA to Fontana, CA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| University Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Jeffrey Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Irvine Center Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Edinger Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Jamboree Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| CA 261 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Eastern Transportation Corridor | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| CA 91 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
University Drive
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Irvine, CA and Fontana, CA.
1
Start on San Diego Freeway
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
San Diego Freeway
2
Take the exit slight right toward University Drive, Jeffrey Road
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
·
University Drive, Jeffrey Road
3
Turn left onto Jeffrey Road
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Jeffrey Road
4
Turn left onto Irvine Center Drive
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Irvine Center Drive
5
Continue on Edinger Avenue
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Edinger Avenue
6
Turn slight right onto Jamboree Road, Walnut Avenue
436 ft
·
8 sec
·
Jamboree Road, Walnut Avenue
7
Continue on Jamboree Road
0.7 mi
·
51 sec
·
Jamboree Road
8
Take the exit slight right toward CA 261 North
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
CA 261 North
9
Merge slight left onto Eastern Transportation Corridor
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Eastern Transportation Corridor
10
Take the exit slight right toward CA 91 East: Riverside
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
CA 91 East: Riverside
11
Merge slight left onto Riverside Freeway
8.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Riverside Freeway
12
Take the exit slight right toward Main Street
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
Main Street
13
Turn left onto South Main Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
14
Continue on Hamner Avenue
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Hamner Avenue
15
Turn right onto East Yuma Drive
203 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Yuma Drive
16
Continue on Hidden Valley Parkway
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Hidden Valley Parkway
17
Take the ramp left toward I 15 North: Barstow
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
I 15 North: Barstow
18
Merge slight left onto Corona Freeway
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Corona Freeway
19
Take the exit slight right toward Sixth Street
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Sixth Street
20
Turn left onto 6th Street
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
6th Street
21
Turn right onto Hamner Avenue
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Hamner Avenue
22
Turn right onto Limonite Avenue
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
Limonite Avenue
23
Turn slight right
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
24
Take the ramp right toward I 15 North
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
I 15 North
25
Merge slight left onto Corona Freeway
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Corona Freeway
26
Continue on Ontario Freeway
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Ontario Freeway
27
Take the exit slight right toward I 10: Los Angeles, San Bernardino
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
I 10: Los Angeles, San Bernardino
28
Keep slight right to continue on I 10 East: San Bernadino
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 10 East: San Bernadino
29
Merge slight left onto San Bernardino Freeway
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
30
Take the exit slight right toward Sierra Avenue
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Sierra Avenue
31
Keep slight left to continue on Sierra Avenue North
449 ft
·
13 sec
·
Sierra Avenue North
32
Turn slight left onto Sierra Avenue
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Sierra Avenue
33
Turn right onto Merrill Avenue
207 ft
·
4 sec
·
Merrill Avenue
34
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
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 26.1 miles from Irvine, CA, or about 31m into the drive.
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 52.3 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 26.1 miles or 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 52m
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 Irvine, 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 Irvine, CA
This is one driving day of about 52.3 miles and 1h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Irvine, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 26.1 mi from Irvine, CA · 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
26 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 52.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 26.1 miles from Irvine, 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
$12.11 one way
$24.22 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $12.49 | $24.98 |
| premium | $6.24 | $12.85 | $25.71 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $11.62 | $23.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.7 | 0 | $5.49 | $2.51 |
| Efficient EV | 13.1 | 0 | $4.58 | $2.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.9 | 0 | $7.32 | $3.35 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (67% 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
1:46 PM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
52°F
Riverside, CA
26 mi in
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
20 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 2m 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 Irvine, CA to Fontana, CA covers 52.3 miles and takes about 1h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are University Drive, Jeffrey Road, Irvine Center Drive. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 26.1 miles from Irvine, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.11 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.
The drive from Irvine, CA to Fontana, CA is easy. At 1h 2m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Irvine, CA to Fontana, CA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Irvine, CA to Fontana, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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