Trip from Redwood City, 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 43m

Distance

407.3 mi

655 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$94

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min

4 AM

7h 34m ★

6 AM

7h 43m

8 AM

8h 2m

10 AM

7h 50m

12 PM

7h 48m

3 PM

7h 51m

5 PM

8h 1m

8 PM

7h 37m

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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Redwood City, CA

Stephen Leonardi

Fontana, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Redwood City, CA to Fontana, CA covers 407.3 miles and takes about 7h 43m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Westside Freeway, Foothill Freeway, I 5 Truck for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 181.1 miles on Westside Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $93.61 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

203.6 miles from Redwood City, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 52m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Westside Freeway	181.1 mi	3h 14m
Foothill Freeway	67 mi	1h 17m
I 5 Truck	58.4 mi	1h 6m
Bayshore Freeway	51.6 mi	59m
Pacheco Pass Highway	40.6 mi	50m
Sierra Avenue	3 mi	4m
Golden State Freeway	2 mi	2m
Veterans Boulevard	1 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Westside Freeway — 181.1 mi, about 3h 14m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on this road

477 ft · 26 sec · this road

Turn right onto Broadway

315 ft · 15 sec · Broadway

Turn sharp left onto Arch Street

206 ft · 13 sec · Arch Street

Turn right onto Brewster Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Brewster Avenue

Turn right onto Veterans Boulevard

1.0 mi · 1 min · Veterans Boulevard

Use the right lane.

Continue on this road

359 ft · 8 sec · this road

Toward US 101 South, CA 84 East: San Jose Use the left / straight lanes.

Continue on CA 84

0.4 mi · 50 sec · CA 84

Use the straight lane.

Merge onto US 101; CA 84

9.1 mi · 10 min · Bayshore Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 101

42 mi · 48 min · Bayshore Freeway

Toward US 101 South: San Jose, Los Angeles Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto CA 152

0.3 mi · 39 sec · CA 152

Toward CA 152 East: 10th Street, Pacheco Pass Road

Turn left onto CA 152

353 ft · 12 sec · East 10th Street

Continue on CA 152

41 mi · 50 min · Pacheco Pass Highway

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 5: Los Angeles

Merge onto I 5

181 mi · 3 hr 14 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

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 203.6 miles from Redwood City, CA, or about 3h 52m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 181.1 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 90 miles or 1h 49m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 203.6 miles or 3h 52m 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 Redwood City, 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 Redwood City, CA

This is one driving day of about 407.3 miles and 7h 43m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 90 miles from Redwood City, 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 Westside Freeway for about 181.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bakersfield, CA

204 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

Gilroy, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 90 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Fresno, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 203.6 miles from Redwood City, 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 181.1 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

The Red Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Glendora, California

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 378.2

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+16266916637

Visit website

Round1 Bowling & Arcade Eastridge Shopping Center

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

San Jose, California

2.6 mi

The Red Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 378.2

Glendora, California

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+16266916637

Visit website

Round1 Bowling & Arcade Eastridge Shopping Center

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 29.1

San Jose, California

Hours: 10 am–2 pm

+14085138290

Visit website

Sweet Savory Cafe & Bakery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 378.2

San Dimas, California

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+19093059738

Visit website

Rail Side Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 378.2

San Dimas, California

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+19095998637

Visit website

Muchá! Comida Chapina

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 349.1

North Hollywood, California

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+18185034511

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 407.3

Fontana, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 29.1

San Jose, California

Hours: 12–8 pm

+14088378888

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 23

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 403.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | Arch Street

Turn sharp left onto Arch Street

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

11.2 mi into trip | ~15m in | US 101 / Bayshore Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto US 101 / Bayshore Freeway toward US 101 South: San Jose, Los Angeles

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 101 South: San Jose, Los Angeles

336.7 mi into trip | ~6h 19m 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

361.4 mi into trip | ~6h 48m 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,...

403.9 mi into trip | ~7h 37m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$93.61 one way

$187.23 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 143 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$6.02	$96.47	$192.94
premium	$6.18	$99.05	$198.10
diesel	$5.61	$89.93	$179.85

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$94

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$119–$144

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 142.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $43 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	122.2	1	$42.77	$19.55
Efficient EV	101.8	1	$35.64	$16.29
EV Truck/SUV	162.9	2	$57.02	$26.07

Gas CO2

143 kg

EV CO2

48 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 16, 2026

Origin

Redwood City, CA

Morning in Redwood City on Saturday

Local time

10:23 AM

PDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fontana, CA

Morning in Fontana on Saturday

Local time

10:23 AM

PDT

Current temp

74°F

Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny

SW 0 to 15 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Freeze Warning

Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 8:38AM PDT until April 16 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Eureka CA

Freeze Warning

Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 8:38AM PDT until April 16 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Eureka CA

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

8 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 43m 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.

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 ~55 min detour Free near mile 337

View on nps.gov

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park celebrates America’s maritime heritage on the Pacific Coast. Our 50-acre park has grown around Aquatic Park Cove, a protected area...

25 mi from route ~62 min detour Free

View on nps.gov

César E. Chávez National Monument

National Monument

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...

28 mi from route ~71 min detour Free near mile 280.9

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

407.3 mi in 7h 43m, mostly highway — 181.1 mi of that is on Westside Freeway.

89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 181.1 mi on Westside Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

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 0.2 miles in near Arch Street.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 23 significant decision points across 407.3 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 0.2 miles (Arch Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 11.2 miles (US 101 / Bayshore Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 336.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Redwood City, CA to Fontana, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Ventura along the way.

Ventura

361.4 mi in | ~6h 48m | via I 210

About the Cities

Starting in Redwood City, CA

Full guide →

Redwood City is on the Peninsula in the San Francisco Bay Area of California.

Top landmarks

• Lathrop House — Historic building in Redwood City, California constructed by Benjamin Gordon Lat...
• Fox Theatre — movie theater in Redwood City, California, United States
• Sequoia High School — high school in Redwood City, San Mateo County, California, USA

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 43m. Total distance: 407.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 43m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 181.1 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Fontana, CA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Yes — Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park and César E. Chávez National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.7 hours each way, a round trip means 15.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Fontana, CA before the return drive.

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.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Fontana, CA to Redwood City, CA

Plan the drive back the other way.

407.6 mi 7h 42m

Explore more options from Redwood City, CA or browse trips ending in Fontana, CA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.

Trip from Redwood City, CA to Fontana, CA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

The Red Cafe

The Red Cafe

Round1 Bowling & Arcade Eastridge Shopping Center

Sweet Savory Cafe & Bakery

Rail Side Cafe

Muchá! Comida Chapina

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

EV Connect Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

EVgo Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Hellyer County Park

San Mateo County History Museum

Red Morton Park

Magical Bridge Playground

Edgewood Park & Natural Preserve

Andrew Spinas Park

OMESCAPE San Jose

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Redwood City, CA

Fontana, CA

Same local time

8 degrees warmer at arrival

7h 43m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

César E. Chávez National Monument

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Redwood City, CA

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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