Trip from Lincoln, CA to Fontana, CA

Data updated 4 hours ago

Drive Time

8h 30m

Distance

459.2 mi

739 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$106

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min

4 AM

8h 23m ★

6 AM

8h 31m

8 AM

8h 46m

10 AM

8h 36m

12 PM

8h 35m

3 PM

8h 37m

5 PM

8h 45m

8 PM

8h 26m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Lincoln, CA

Stephen Leonardi

Fontana, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 459.2-mile drive from Lincoln, CA to Fontana, CA will take approximately 8 hours and 30 minutes. Given the duration and distance, it's best suited for a two-day trip, allowing for a more relaxed pace and time to rest. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $106. The route is primarily highway-focused, making up 97% of the drive. You'll be sticking to major freeways for the majority of this trip connecting two points within California's Pacific Coast region.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

229.6 miles from Lincoln, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 12m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused drive with 97% of the route on major freeways, including the Westside Freeway and Foothill Freeway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 296.3 miles on the Westside Freeway, indicating a significant portion of the journey involves consistent highway speeds. This profile suggests a drive characterized by efficient travel over long distances, rather than winding scenic byways. It’s a route designed for covering ground.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Westside Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 296.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and Foothill Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 20.4 miles in near I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 459.2 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 20.4 miles (I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 29.1 miles (I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 25 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

20.4 mi into trip | ~25m in | I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway toward I 80 Business West: Sacramento

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 95 Toward I 80 Business West: Sacramento

29.1 mi into trip | ~34m in | I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway toward US 50 East, I 80 West: South Lake Tahoe, San Francisco

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 50 East, I 80 West: South Lake Tahoe,...

31 mi into trip | ~37m in

Take the exit toward I 5: Los Angeles, Redding

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 4A Toward I 5: Los Angeles, Redding

31.2 mi into trip | ~37m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 South: Los Angeles

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Exit 4A Toward I 5 South: Los Angeles

413.3 mi into trip | ~7h 36m in | I 210 / Foothill Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 210 / Foothill Freeway toward CA 134 West, I 210 East: San Bernardino, Ventura

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward CA 134 West, I 210 East: San Bernardino,...

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Lincoln, CA and Fontana, CA, road signs point toward San Francisco, Redding and Ventura.

San Francisco

29.1 mi in | ~34m | via I 80 Business

Redding

31 mi in | ~37m

Ventura

413.3 mi in | ~7h 36m | via I 210

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Westside Freeway	296.3 mi	5h 19m
Foothill Freeway	67 mi	1h 17m
I 5 Truck	58.4 mi	1h 6m
Capital City Freeway	10.6 mi	11m
CA 65	7.4 mi	8m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway	7.1 mi	8m
Alan S. Hart Freeway	3.3 mi	3m
Sierra Avenue	3 mi	4m

Longest stretch: Westside Freeway — 296.3 mi, about 5h 19m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lincoln, CA and Fontana, CA.

Start on Lincoln Boulevard

2.1 mi · 3 min · Lincoln Boulevard

Use the straight lane.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 21 sec

Toward CA 65 South: Roseville

Merge onto CA 65

7.4 mi · 8 min · CA 65

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 47 sec

Toward I 80 West: Sacramento Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 80

3.3 mi · 3 min · Alan S. Hart Freeway

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on I 80

7.1 mi · 8 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business

4.9 mi · 5 min · Capital City Freeway

Exit 95 Toward I 80 Business West: Sacramento Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 Business

3.7 mi · 4 min · Capital City Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business

1.9 mi · 2 min · Capital City Freeway

Toward US 50 East, I 80 West: South Lake Tahoe, San Francisco Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 15 sec

Exit 4A Toward I 5: Los Angeles, Redding Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min

Exit 4A Toward I 5 South: Los Angeles Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 5

59 mi · 1 hr 5 min · Westside Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

0.8 mi · 48 sec · Westside Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

237 mi · 4 hr 13 min · Westside Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck

58 mi · 1 hr 6 min · I 5 Truck

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

2.0 mi · 2 min · Golden State Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 17 sec

Exit 161A Toward I 210 East: Pasadena Use the slight right lane.

Continue on I 210

24 mi · 28 min · Foothill Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 210

19 mi · 22 min · Foothill Freeway

Toward CA 134 West, I 210 East: San Bernardino, Ventura Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 210

2.9 mi · 3 min · Foothill Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210

1.4 mi · 1 min · Foothill Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210

1.2 mi · 1 min · Foothill Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210

1.8 mi · 2 min · Foothill Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210

16 mi · 18 min · Foothill Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 46 sec

Exit 67 Toward Sierra Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto Sierra Avenue

3.0 mi · 4 min · Sierra Avenue

Use the left / right lanes.

Turn left onto Merrill Avenue

205 ft · 4 sec · Merrill Avenue

Use the left lane.

Arrive at destination

Merrill Avenue

Trip Plan

For this 8-hour and 30-minute drive, consider splitting it over two days to avoid fatigue. Aim to start early to make the most of daylight, especially if you decide to tackle it in one go. With two planned stops, you can break up the 459.2 miles effectively. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch is over 296 miles. Given the 97% highway share, plan your fueling and rest breaks around major exits to maximize efficiency.

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.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 229.6 miles from Lincoln, CA, or about 4h 12m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 296.3 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 101 miles or 1h 54m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 229.6 miles or 4h 12m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 229.6 miles or 4h 12m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 7h 19m

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 Lincoln, 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.

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Lincoln, CA

Aim for roughly 230 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Fontana, CA

Aim for roughly 230 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 101 miles from Lincoln, CA.

This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 296.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 229.6 mi from Lincoln, CA · 4h 12m into the drive

city and county seat of Kern County, California, United States

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Bakersfield, CA

230 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Bakersfield, CA

Overnight Options

Night 1

Bakersfield, CA

230 mi · about 4.3h in

A practical overnight split lands near Bakersfield, CA after about 230 miles or 4.3 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Lathrop, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 101 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Fresno, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 229.6 miles from Lincoln, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 296.3 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 230 miles or 4.3 hours on the road.

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.

On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Fontana, CA with some flexibility left in the schedule.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$105.54 one way

$211.09 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 161 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$6.02	$108.76	$217.52
premium	$6.18	$111.67	$223.34
diesel	$5.61	$101.39	$202.77

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$106

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$236–$346

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 160.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $48 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	137.8	1	$48.22	$22.04
Efficient EV	114.8	1	$40.18	$18.37
EV Truck/SUV	183.7	2	$64.29	$29.39

Gas CO2

161 kg

EV CO2

54 kg (66% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Lincoln, CA

Evening in Lincoln on Tuesday

Local time

6:26 PM

PDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fontana, CA

Evening in Fontana on Tuesday

Local time

6:26 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.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

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

5 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

8h 30m on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Lincoln, CA to Fontana, CA covers 459.2 miles and takes about 8h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Westside Freeway, Foothill Freeway, I 5 Truck. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 230 miles on day one.

The midpoint is about 229.6 miles from Lincoln, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $105.54 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.

Between Lincoln, CA and Fontana, CA, road signs point toward San Francisco, Redding and Ventura.

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Trip from Lincoln, CA to Fontana, CA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Overnight Options

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Fontana, CA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Lincoln, CA

Fontana, CA

Same local time

5 degrees warmer at arrival

8h 30m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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