Origin
Pacific Grove, CA
Afternoon in Pacific Grove on Thursday
Local time
3:46 PM
PDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pacific Grove, CA to Fontana, CA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
7h 12m
Distance
368.6 mi
593 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$85
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 1m
★
6 AM
7h 12m
8 AM
7h 34m
10 AM
7h 20m
12 PM
7h 18m
3 PM
7h 21m
5 PM
7h 33m
8 PM
7h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pacific Grove, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Fontana, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Pacific Grove, CA to Fontana, CA covers 368.6 miles and takes about 7h 12m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on El Camino Real, Foothill Freeway, I 5 Truck for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 94.6 miles on El Camino Real. At current regular gas prices, budget about $84.72 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
184.3 miles from Pacific Grove, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 42m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 12m. Total distance: 368.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 12m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 7h 12m highway drive covering 368.6 miles, with most of the trip on El Camino Real and Foothill Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 94.6 miles on El Camino Real.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 35 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
El Camino Real is the longest continuous segment at about 94.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on El Camino Real and Foothill Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 368.6 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 3.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles (CA 68): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 298.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 27 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
3.1 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the ramp toward CA 1 North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Toward CA 1 North
7
3.6 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
CA 68
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 68 toward CA 68: North Fremont Street, Salinas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 401B
Toward CA 68: North Fremont Street, Salinas
7
298.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 49m 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
322.7 mi into trip
|
~6h 17m 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
365.3 mi into trip
|
~7h 6m 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.
Between Pacific Grove, CA and Fontana, CA, road signs point toward Bakersfield and Ventura.
Bakersfield
116.7 mi in
|
~2h 21m
Ventura
322.7 mi in
|
~6h 17m
|
via I 210
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| El Camino Real | 94.6 mi | 1h 49m |
| Foothill Freeway | 67 mi | 1h 17m |
| I 5 Truck | 58.4 mi | 1h 6m |
| Westside Freeway | 56.8 mi | 1h |
| Paso Robles Highway | 32.3 mi | 38m |
| CA 46 | 24.5 mi | 28m |
| CA 68 | 16 mi | 21m |
| Antelope Road | 5.3 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
El Camino Real
— 94.6 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pacific Grove, CA and Fontana, CA.
1
Start on Pine Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Pine Avenue
2
Turn left onto Eardley Avenue
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Eardley Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
3
Turn right onto Central Avenue
290 ft
·
7 sec
·
Central Avenue
4
Continue on Lighthouse Avenue
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Lighthouse Avenue
5
Continue on Del Monte Avenue
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
Del Monte Avenue
6
Turn right onto Camino Aguajito
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Camino Aguajito
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Toward CA 1 North
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Merge onto CA 1; CA 68
0.2 mi
·
10 sec
·
Cabrillo Highway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 68
16 mi
·
21 min
·
CA 68
Exit 401B
Toward CA 68: North Fremont Street, Salinas
10
Turn right onto East Blanco Road
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Blanco Road
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on South Sanborn Road
0.8 mi
·
59 sec
·
South Sanborn Road
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
13
Merge onto US 101
95 mi
·
1 hr 49 min
·
El Camino Real
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward CA 46 East: Fresno, Bakersfield
15
Turn left onto CA 46
24 mi
·
28 min
·
CA 46
Use the straight / left lanes.
16
Merge onto CA 41; CA 46
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
CA 41; CA 46
17
Turn slight right
490 ft
·
6 sec
18
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 46
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Antelope Road
19
Continue on CA 46
32 mi
·
38 min
·
Paso Robles Highway
Use the slight left lane.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
24 sec
21
Merge onto I 5
57 mi
·
1 hr
·
Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 161A
Toward I 210 East: Pasadena
Use the slight right lane.
25
Continue on I 210
24 mi
·
28 min
·
Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
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.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
16 mi
·
18 min
·
Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 67
Toward Sierra Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Turn right onto Sierra Avenue
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Sierra Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
34
Turn left onto Merrill Avenue
205 ft
·
4 sec
·
Merrill Avenue
Use the left lane.
35
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 184.3 miles from Pacific Grove, CA, or about 3h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.6 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 81 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 184.3 miles or 3h 42m 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 1m
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 Pacific Grove, 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 Pacific Grove, CA
This is one driving day of about 368.6 miles and 7h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from Pacific Grove, 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.
The longest stretch is on El Camino Real for about 94.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 184.3 mi from Pacific Grove, CA · 3h 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
184 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 81 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 184.3 miles from Pacific Grove, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before El Camino Real if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 94.6 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$84.72 one way
$169.44 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
129 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $87.30 | $174.61 |
| premium | $6.18 | $89.64 | $179.28 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $81.38 | $162.76 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$85
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$110–$135
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 129 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 110.6 | 1 | $38.70 | $17.69 |
| Efficient EV | 92.2 | 1 | $32.25 | $14.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 147.4 | 1 | $51.60 | $23.59 |
Gas CO2
129 kg
EV CO2
43 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
Afternoon in Fontana on Thursday
Local time
3:46 PM
PDT
Current temp
74°F
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
SW 0 to 15 mph
0% chance
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
22 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 12m 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 Pacific Grove, CA to Fontana, CA covers 368.6 miles and takes about 7h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are El Camino Real, Foothill Freeway, I 5 Truck. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 184.3 miles from Pacific Grove, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $84.72 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 368.6 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 3.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles (CA 68): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 298.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Pacific Grove, CA and Fontana, CA, road signs point toward Bakersfield and Ventura.
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