Origin
Lafayette, CA
Late night in Lafayette on Saturday
Local time
2:41 AM
PDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lafayette, CA to Fontana, CA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 39m
Distance
411.4 mi
662 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$95
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 30m
★
6 AM
7h 40m
8 AM
7h 59m
10 AM
7h 46m
12 PM
7h 45m
3 PM
7h 47m
5 PM
7h 58m
8 PM
7h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lafayette, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Fontana, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Lafayette, CA to Fontana, CA covers 411.4 miles and takes about 7h 39m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Moraga Road, Mount Diablo Boulevard, 1st Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $94.56 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
205.7 miles from Lafayette, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 49m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 39m. Total distance: 411.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 39m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 7h 39m drive with frequent turns across 411.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Moraga Road 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. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 39m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Lafayette, CA to Fontana, CA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Moraga Road | — | — |
| Mount Diablo Boulevard | — | — |
| 1st Street | — | — |
| CA 24 East | — | — |
| I 680 South | — | — |
| Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway | — | — |
| Donald D Doyle Highway | — | — |
| I 580 East | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Moraga Road
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lafayette, CA and Fontana, CA.
1
Start on Saint Mary's Road
43 ft
·
2 sec
·
Saint Mary's Road
2
Turn right onto Moraga Road
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
Moraga Road
3
Turn right onto Mount Diablo Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Mount Diablo Boulevard
4
Turn left onto 1st Street
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
1st Street
5
Take the ramp right toward CA 24 East: Walnut Creek
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
CA 24 East: Walnut Creek
6
Merge slight left
1.6 mi
·
1 min
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 680 South: Mount Diablo Boulevard, San Jose
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
I 680 South: Mount Diablo Boulevard, San Jose
8
Keep slight right to continue on I 680 South: San Jose, Dublin, South Main Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
I 680 South: San Jose, Dublin, South Main Street
9
Merge slight left onto Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
10
Continue on Donald D Doyle Highway
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Donald D Doyle Highway
11
Keep slight right to continue on Donald D Doyle Highway
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Donald D Doyle Highway
12
Take the exit slight right toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
13
Keep slight left to continue on I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
14
Keep slight left to continue on I 580: Stockton
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
I 580: Stockton
15
Merge slight left onto Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
16
Keep slight right to continue on Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
17
Keep slight right to continue on William Elton Brown Freeway
11 mi
·
12 min
·
William Elton Brown Freeway
18
Keep slight left to continue on William Elton Brown Freeway
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
William Elton Brown Freeway
19
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
224 mi
·
4 hr
·
Westside Freeway
20
Keep slight right
58 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
21
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Golden State Freeway
22
Take the exit slight right toward I 210 East: Pasadena
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
I 210 East: Pasadena
23
Continue on Foothill Freeway
24 mi
·
28 min
·
Foothill Freeway
24
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
19 mi
·
22 min
·
Foothill Freeway
25
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Foothill Freeway
26
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Foothill Freeway
27
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Foothill Freeway
28
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Foothill Freeway
29
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
16 mi
·
18 min
·
Foothill Freeway
30
Take the exit slight right toward Sierra Avenue
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
Sierra Avenue
31
Turn right onto Sierra Avenue
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Sierra Avenue
32
Turn left onto Merrill Avenue
207 ft
·
4 sec
·
Merrill Avenue
33
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 205.7 miles from Lafayette, CA, or about 3h 49m 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 91 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 205.7 miles or 3h 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 32m
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 Lafayette, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lafayette, CA
This is one driving day of about 411.4 miles and 7h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 91 miles from Lafayette, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 205.7 mi from Lafayette, CA · 3h 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
206 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 91 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 205.7 miles from Lafayette, 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
$94.56 one way
$189.11 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
144 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $97.44 | $194.88 |
| premium | $6.18 | $100.05 | $200.10 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $90.83 | $181.66 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$95
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$120–$145
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 143.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 123.4 | 1 | $43.20 | $19.75 |
| Efficient EV | 102.9 | 1 | $36.00 | $16.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 164.6 | 2 | $57.60 | $26.33 |
Gas CO2
144 kg
EV CO2
48 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Late night in Fontana on Saturday
Local time
2:41 AM
PDT
Current temp
76°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
12 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 39m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Lafayette, CA to Fontana, CA covers 411.4 miles and takes about 7h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Moraga Road, Mount Diablo Boulevard, 1st Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 205.7 miles from Lafayette, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $94.56 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 39m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Lafayette, CA to Fontana, CA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Lafayette, CA to Fontana, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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