This 71.6-mile drive from Palos Verdes Estates, CA to Fontana, CA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking about 1 hour and 31 minutes. The route is heavily highway-focused, with 82% of it on major freeways, including the San Bernardino Freeway and the I-10 Metro ExpressLanes. You can expect a fuel cost of around $16 for this journey. Given the relatively short duration and straightforward path, there's no need to plan for an overnight stay. This drive primarily traverses the Pacific Coast region, offering a practical transit between these Southern California communities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.8 miles from Palos Verdes Estates, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 49m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 31m. Total distance: 71.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, with 82% of the 71.6 miles on freeways. The San Bernardino Freeway will be your main companion for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 23.9 miles. While primarily a freeway experience, you'll utilize arteries like the San Gabriel River Freeway and the I-10 Metro ExpressLanes. The character of the road is consistent, prioritizing efficient travel over scenic detours. It's a route designed for getting from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 38 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
San Bernardino Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 23.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on San Bernardino Freeway and San Gabriel River Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.7 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 71.6 miles you will encounter 32 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 8.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 21.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 36.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 32 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
8.7 mi into trip|~16m in
Turn left toward I 110 North: Los Angeles
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 110 North: Los Angeles
7
21.1 mi into trip|~32m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 605 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 605 North
7
36.2 mi into trip|~50m in
Take the exit toward I 10 West, I 10 East: Los Angeles, San Bernardino
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.
Toward I 10 West, I 10 East: Los Angeles, San B...
7
36.4 mi into trip|~50m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 East: San Bernardino
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 10 East: San Bernardino
8
69.8 mi into trip|~1h 28m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Sierra Avenue North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward Sierra Avenue North
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 Palos Verdes Estates, CA to Fontana, CA, road signs begin pointing toward San Bernardino along the way.
San Bernardino
36.2 mi in|~50m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
San Bernardino Freeway
23.9 mi
27m
San Gabriel River Freeway
14.6 mi
16m
I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
9 mi
9m
Artesia Freeway
5 mi
5m
Gardena Freeway
4.9 mi
5m
Torrance Boulevard
2.6 mi
4m
Palos Verdes Boulevard
2.1 mi
4m
Sierra Avenue
1.7 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
San Bernardino Freeway
— 23.9 mi, about 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palos Verdes Estates, CA and Fontana, CA.
1
Start on Via Almar
506 ft·16 sec·Via Almar
2
Continue on Via Corta
390 ft·14 sec·Via Corta
3
Turn left onto Palos Verdes Drive West
0.1 mi·10 sec·Palos Verdes Drive West
4
Keep slight left at fork onto Palos Verdes Drive West
0.3 mi·47 sec·Palos Verdes Drive West
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on Palos Verdes Boulevard
2.1 mi·4 min·Palos Verdes Boulevard
6
Turn slight right
468 ft·21 sec
7
At end of road, turn right onto Sepulveda Boulevard
1.4 mi·2 min·Sepulveda Boulevard
8
Turn left onto Madrona Avenue
0.4 mi·50 sec·Madrona Avenue
Use the left lane.
9
Turn right onto West Carson Street
0.9 mi·1 min·West Carson Street
Use the right lane.
10
Turn left onto Crenshaw Boulevard
0.3 mi·36 sec·Crenshaw Boulevard
Use the left lane.
11
Turn right onto Torrance Boulevard
2.6 mi·4 min·Torrance Boulevard
Use the left lane.
12
Turn left onto US 6 Hist
0.2 mi·24 sec·South Figueroa Street
Use the left lane.
13
Turn left
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward I 110 North: Los AngelesUse the left lane.
14
Merge onto I 110
1.6 mi·1 min·Harbor Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward CA 91 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto CA 91
4.9 mi·5 min·Gardena Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on CA 91
5.0 mi·5 min·Artesia Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 605: San Gabriel River FreewayUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward I 605 NorthUse the slight left lane.
20
Merge onto I 605
15 mi·16 min·San Gabriel River Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 10 West, I 10 East: Los Angeles, San BernardinoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 10 East: San BernardinoUse the slight right lane.
23
Merge onto I 10
1.0 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
2.2 mi·2 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
2.0 mi·2 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.1 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
27
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.5 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
28
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.4 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
2.0 mi·2 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
2.1 mi·2 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
4.0 mi·4 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 EXPR
9.0 mi·9 min·I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
Use the slight left lane.
33
Merge onto I 10
6.5 mi·7 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
34
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 64Toward Sierra AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Keep slight left at fork
448 ft·12 sec
Toward Sierra Avenue NorthUse the left lane.
36
Turn slight left onto Sierra Avenue
1.7 mi·2 min·Sierra Avenue
Use the left lane.
37
Turn right onto Merrill Avenue
205 ft·4 sec·Merrill Avenue
38
Arrive at destination
Merrill Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 1-hour and 31-minute drive, you have the flexibility to depart at a time that suits you best, though avoiding peak commute hours on the San Bernardino Freeway is always a good idea. With no planned stops, fuel up before you leave Palos Verdes Estates to ensure you have enough for the approximately $16 fuel cost. The longest stretch on the San Bernardino Freeway is nearly 24 miles, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge before you embark. This is a straightforward drive, so focus on a smooth and timely arrival in Fontana.
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 35.8 miles from Palos Verdes Estates, CA, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 23.9 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 16 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.8 miles or 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 1h 18m
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 Palos Verdes Estates, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Palos Verdes Estates, CA
This is one driving day of about 71.6 miles and 1h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Palos Verdes Estates, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on San Bernardino Freeway for about 23.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 35.8 mi from Palos Verdes Estates, CA
· 49m into the drive
The midpoint is around 35.8 miles from Palos Verdes Estates, 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.
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...
30 mi from route
~74 min detour
Free
near mile 2.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.46 one way
$32.91 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$16.96
$33.92
premium
$6.18
$17.41
$34.82
diesel
$5.61
$15.81
$31.62
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.5
0
$7.52
$3.44
Efficient EV
17.9
0
$6.26
$2.86
EV Truck/SUV
28.6
0
$10.02
$4.58
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Palos Verdes Estates, CA
Evening
in Palos Verdes Estates on Friday
Local time
6:41 PM
PDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fontana, CA
Evening
in Fontana on Friday
Local time
6:41 PM
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
10 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
1h 31m 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 Palos Verdes Estates, CA to Fontana, CA covers 71.6 miles and takes about 1h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are San Bernardino Freeway, San Gabriel River Freeway, I-10 Metro ExpressLanes. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 35.8 miles from Palos Verdes Estates, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.46 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 71.6 miles you will encounter 32 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 21.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 36.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Palos Verdes Estates, CA to Fontana, CA, road signs begin pointing toward San Bernardino along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
