The drive from Modesto, CA to Fontana, CA covers 357.4 miles and takes about 6h 44m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on CA 99, Golden State Freeway, Foothill Freeway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 134.8 miles on CA 99.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $82.15 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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
178.7 miles from Modesto, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 19m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 44m. Total distance: 357.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 44m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 6h 44m highway drive covering 357.4 miles, with most of the trip on CA 99 and Golden State Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 134.8 miles on CA 99.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
CA 99 is the longest continuous segment at about 134.8 miles.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,855 ft88 ft
Total Climb
3,145 ft
Total Descent
1,998 ft
Highest Point
2,855 ft
~255.3 mi in
Elevation Range
2,767 ft
Notable High Points
2,855 ft at ~255.3 miles+1,511 ft prominence
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CA 99 and Golden State Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 94.5 miles in near CA 99.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 357.4 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 94.5 miles (CA 99): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 199.2 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 286.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
94.5 mi into trip|~1h 49m in|CA 99
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
199.2 mi into trip|~3h 41m in|CA 99 / Golden State Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99 / Golden State Freeway toward CA 99 South: Los Angeles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 99 South: Los Angeles
7
286.8 mi into trip|~5h 21m in
Take the exit toward I 210 East: Pasadena
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 161A
Toward I 210 East: Pasadena
8
311.5 mi into trip|~5h 49m 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,...
7
354 mi into trip|~6h 38m in
Take the exit toward Sierra Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 67
Toward Sierra Avenue
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Modesto, CA to Fontana, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Ventura along the way.
Ventura
311.5 mi in|~5h 49m|via I 210
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
CA 99
134.8 mi
2h 31m
Golden State Freeway
92.8 mi
1h 44m
Foothill Freeway
67 mi
1h 17m
Golden State Highway
58.6 mi
1h 2m
Sierra Avenue
3 mi
4m
H Street
0.4 mi
1m
Merrill Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
11th Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
CA 99
— 134.8 mi, about 2h 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Modesto, CA and Fontana, CA.
1
Start on 11th Street
81 ft·10 sec·11th Street
2
Turn left onto H Street
0.4 mi·1 min·H Street
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
4
Merge onto CA 99
94 mi·1 hr 47 min·CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
41 mi·44 min·CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
59 mi·1 hr 2 min·Golden State Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on CA 99
5.2 mi·5 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
27 mi·30 min·Golden State Freeway
Toward CA 99 South: Los AngelesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
2.0 mi·2 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·17 sec
Exit 161AToward I 210 East: PasadenaUse the slight right lane.
12
Continue on I 210
24 mi·28 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
19 mi·22 min·Foothill Freeway
Toward CA 134 West, I 210 East: San Bernardino, VenturaUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
2.9 mi·3 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.4 mi·1 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.2 mi·1 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.8 mi·2 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
16 mi·18 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Exit 67Toward Sierra AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn right onto Sierra Avenue
3.0 mi·4 min·Sierra Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
21
Turn left onto Merrill Avenue
205 ft·4 sec·Merrill Avenue
Use the left lane.
22
Arrive at destination
Merrill Avenue
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 178.7 miles from Modesto, CA, or about 3h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 134.8 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 79 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 178.7 miles or 3h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 33m
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 Modesto, 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 Modesto, CA
This is one driving day of about 357.4 miles and 6h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Modesto, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on CA 99 for about 134.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 178.7 mi from Modesto, CA
· 3h 19m into the drive
The midpoint is around 178.7 miles from Modesto, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before CA 99 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 134.8 miles.
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.
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultura...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 283.4
Yes, we can! Widely recognized as the most important Latino leader in the United States during the twentieth century, Cesar Chavez led farm workers and supporters in the establishment of the country's...
25 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 221.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$82.15 one way
$164.29 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg125 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$84.65
$169.30
premium
$6.18
$86.92
$173.83
diesel
$5.61
$78.91
$157.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$82
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$107–$132
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 125 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
107.2
1
$37.53
$17.16
Efficient EV
89.4
1
$31.27
$14.30
EV Truck/SUV
143
1
$50.04
$22.87
Gas CO2
125 kg
EV CO2
42 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Modesto, CA
Late night
in Modesto on Saturday
Local time
4:57 AM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fontana, CA
Late night
in Fontana on Saturday
Local time
4:57 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
7 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
6h 44m 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 Modesto, CA to Fontana, CA covers 357.4 miles and takes about 6h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are CA 99, Golden State Freeway, Foothill 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 178.7 miles from Modesto, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $82.15 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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 357.4 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 94.5 miles (CA 99): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 199.2 miles (CA 99 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 286.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Modesto, CA to Fontana, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Ventura along the way.
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes. The route ranges from 88 ft to 2,855 ft elevation with about 3,145 ft of total climbing. There is 1 notable high point along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and César E. Chávez National Monument.
